UPDATED: ‘General Hospital’ Stars, Then and Now, Share Remembrances and Mourn the Death of Anthony Geary

(UPDATED) It’s been a very heavy and emotional weekend for those in the entertainment industry, their fans and their loved ones. First, Rob Reiner and his wife Michele Reiner were found stabbed to death in their Brentwood home on Sunday, December 14 with their son, Nick arrested for their murders. There has been an outpouring of sadness and remembrances for Reiner who not only was an actor, director, writer, but a political activist. Rob was 78 and Michele was 68 at the time.

On the heels of that, soap opera fans woke up on Monday morning, December 15 to learn that also on Sunday, the legendary and iconic, eight-time Daytime Emmy winning actor, Anthony Geary, beloved for his role as Luke Spencer on General Hospital, also died at the age of 78.

According to reports, Geary died from complications of a surgery he had three days prior. No further details have been made available at this time. Geary leaves behind his beloved husband with whom he lived with in Amsterdam, Claudio Gama.

Geary’s General Hospital castmates begun to take to social media in the last 24 hours with extremely heartfelt and touching remembrances of the one-of-a-kind actor, who played Luke up until he retired in 2015.

While Michael Fairman TV previously shared tributes from Geary’s former co-stars, Genie Francis (Laura) and Jonathan Jackson (ex-Lucky), and another soap icon, Erika Slezak (ex-Viki, OLTL, ex-Ronnie, GH), below are some of the actors that have honored Tony by expressing what he has meant to them, personally and professionally.

John Stamos (ex-Blackie): “I am deeply saddened by the passing of my friend and former costar, Tony Geary. Coming on the heels of the tragic deaths of Rob Reiner and his wife, Michele, whom I admired immensely — this feels like a heartbreaking moment for so many of us who grew up watching and learning from these giants of our craft. I was only 19 years old on my first job, General Hospital, and Tony could not have been kinder or more welcoming.

At that age, everything feels big. He made it feel safe. I was mesmerized by his acting. I would stay after my scenes were finished just to watch him work — not because I had to, but because I wanted to learn. Watching Tony was like watching someone rewrite the rules in real time. He changed the face of daytime television. And in very real ways, he changed my life. What always stood out to me was how real he was. He never fell into the traps or tricks that can happen when you’re doing the volume needed for an hour show every day. He attacked every character and every script with honesty, intelligence, and fearlessness. There was no autopilot with Tony — ever. He was truly one of a kind.

When he showed up for me when I got a star on the Walk of Fame, it meant the world to me. That was Tony. He showed up — quietly and generously. I wrote about him in my book because he is part of my foundation as an actor. He will always be part of my work. The way he committed, the way he listened, the way he elevated everyone around him — I carry that with me still. Thank you, Tony, for your brilliance, your kindness, and for setting the bar so impossibly high. You really stood out. Rest easy, my friend.”

Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis): “The actor I’ve learned the most from, loved to work with the most, revered the most, laughed with the most, was inspired by the most, got in the most trouble with and had the most fun with, was Tony Geary. He was a masterful craftsman, a wordsmith, irreverent , curious, intelligent, endlessly generous, clever, a good troublemaker, dapper, delightfully naughty, a deep thinker, a great writer, editor and pontificator, almost always on the right side of every issue, sexy, sagacious, defiant, determined, kind and true.

If Tone Tone, as I called him, hadn’t leapt out of the generic soapbox of yore, and broadened and expanded the definition and perception of a Daytime performer, I doubt I’d have ever taken a job in Daytime Television. Tony was the pioneer of real, exciting, multi dimensional, unpredictable acting in the Daytime Serial world. He brought excitement to the medium, and I was excited by it. Tony was my teacher, my champion, most daring partner in acting crime, and my cherished friend. I will miss him in the flesh but will see that “Fuck em” twinkle in his eye for evermore.”

Wally Kurth (Ned): “It’s been a tough year. We have lost another beloved actor from GH. I’m so saddened. I want to add my praise and deep respect for the one and only Tony Geary. He raised the acting performance bar in Daytime TV to a level I know I’ll never meet. As an actor who worked with him, I was always reminded of his skill, professionalism and integrity. He was the gold standard.

And his 8 Emmy wins and countless nominations prove it. I wish I had had more scenes him – because he made me a better actor. He was funny, smart and opinionated. He liked to run his lines to learn them, which was funny to me since many of them were rewritten by him! He is terribly missed by all of us at GH. We will carry on. His spirit is always here in the studio. Sending my heartfelt condolences to his family and especially Claudio RIP Anthony Geary.”

Rick Springfield (ex-Noah): “Sad to hear of Tony’s passing. He was the reason GH went where it went in the early ‘80s. The rest of us rode along with him and did our part but Tony was the driver along with the great Gloria Monty. Had a really great evening with Tony and my guys in Amsterdam years ago. Such a good guy who deserved all the accolades he received. Love to those he left behind.”

Jacob Young (ex-Lucky): “I’m at a loss for words over the passing of my mentor, on-screen father, and dear friend, Anthony Geary. He gave so much to his craft and cared deeply about his fellow actors. Even after my time on General Hospital, we always remained close, and I will forever be grateful for his guidance, generosity, and friendship. RIP Tony.”

Greg Vaughan (ex-Lucky): “”There are people who fill a room by demanding attention. And then there are people like Tony — who never asked for it, yet held it effortlessly. For nearly seven years, I had the privilege of standing beside him on General Hospital, portraying his son, Lucky… and if anyone was Lucky, it was me! What I came to understand quickly was that Tony wasn’t interested in being celebrated — he was interested in being present. Present in the work. Present with his fellow actors. Present in the quiet moments that mattered far more than applause. When I first joined the show, months later we found ourselves in New York for the Emmys. Tony took me under his wing without fanfare, without hierarchy — just generosity. Sitting front row at Radio City Music Hall with him wasn’t about the ceremony. It was about being beside someone who carried himself with humility, curiosity, and kindness, even in moments meant to shine a light on him.”

“One of my most treasured memories is a scene where my character lay on life support. Tony leaned in, called me “Cowboy,” and softly sang “Don’t Fence Me In.” It was simple. Tender. And unforgettable. He had me welling up while I was trying to be still. That was Tony — never pushing, never performing for effect, just telling the truth of the moment. He taught me that greatness doesn’t announce itself. It listens. It gives. It lifts others quietly. His impact on my life — personally and professionally — didn’t come from lessons spoken out loud, but from how he showed up every day with love and a smile. I am deeply grateful for the time, the trust, and the humanity he shared with me. Tony, thank you for the work, the love, the laughter, the guidance — and for reminding me that the most meaningful legacies are carried softly. You will always be with me. R.I.P. ️”

Tamara Braun (ex-Carly, now Sienna, Y&R): “Rob Reiner and Tony on the same day. Same age. They worked together too. Tony was one of the best actors daytime ever had. We didn’t get to work much together when I played Carly and I was always disappointed by that because he was so brilliant. And kind. He was so kind to me. My heart goes out to Claudio and his family and to all who loved him.”

Laura Wright (Carly): “One of my first scenes with Tony we were in Kelly’s and he said “ Just so you know, I like to juggle, tap dance and sing all at the same time ’ and I laughed and said let’s go !! I grew up watching the incredible Luke Spencer- I fell in love with daytime because I fell in love with Luke and Laura. My heart is so so sad – Daytime lost the one that changed it all !!! RIP ”

Jon Lindstrom (Kevin, GH, Joey, Beyond the Gates): “Hard to put into words what Anthony Geary meant to so many people. I can tell you what I think: I’ve worked with everyone from geniuses to hacks and I can confidently say that, IMHO, Tony was one of the best American actors. Full stop. I’d seen him before I knew what General Hospital was. Streets of San Francisco. All In The Family. I also saw him on PBS in Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra w/ Timothy Dalton & Lynn Redgrave. He was always the best thing onscreen. When I started GH in 1992 he welcomed me with open arms. And damn that guy was FUNNY! Today, and for a while, my  is with Genie, Kin, Lynn, Jonathan, and Claudio. R.I.P.”

Emma Samms (ex-Holly):” Tony played a dangerous, unpredictable bad boy on General Hospital, but he was only ever supportive, kind and patient with me. When I started working with him in 1982, I was 21 years old. He was in his thirties. He basically taught me how to act.  He was so good at his craft. He took it seriously. He made brave, unexpected choices, forcing anyone in a scene with him to listen and pay attention. And he was funny. Breaking the tension of a day’s worth of soap melodrama with a nudge, a wink or a moment of naughtiness. I knew that Luke and Holly would never be Luke and Laura, we all knew that, but he didn’t allow comparisons. He gave me confidence as an actor and as a person, listening to my trials and tribulations with a sympathetic and encouraging ear. Always. I loved that he stepped away and made a new life for himself on the other side of the world. And I loved that he found love. He deserved it. All of us lucky enough to have spent time with him knew that.”

Finola Hughes (Anna): “The original. He took my breath away, so magical, creative, fearless. The thing of legend. So glad I spent time with you and Claudio in Amsterdam for a couple of summers. The best host, conversationalist, deep thinker, witty, kind raconteur. Deeply mischievous, naturally my kids adored you. Thank you Tony for the really, really good times, for sharing your heart and spirit. Claudio I love you, we send our hugs.I’m always going to think of Tony out on the canals in his boat, slowly sailing through Amsterdam. GOAT”