(AP) Tristan Rogers, who portrayed the iconic character Robert Scorpio on ABC’s General Hospital, passed away on Friday at the age of 79, just weeks after his notable return to the soap opera.
“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken over Tristan Rogers’ death,” shared Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer. “Tristan has mesmerized audiences for 45 years, but Port Charles feels different without him, and without Robert Scorpio.”
Originally from Melbourne, Australia, Rogers began his performing career in his early twenties, playing drums in a rock band that never hit it big. After the group disbanded, he turned to commercial gigs and modeling for income. He also worked as a DJ, eventually moving to Los Angeles in hopes of making it in Hollywood. While a casting director initially found his accent off-putting, Rogers managed to land a two-day role on General Hospital in 1980.
“I had no background in the industry,” Rogers recounted to fellow General Hospital actor Maurice Benard during Benard’s 2022 YouTube show, Mind with Maurice Benard.
“I was brought in specifically to challenge the hero, Luke (played by Anthony Geary), and then I was meant to vanish,” Rogers noted. On his first day, producer Gloria Monty saw potential in him and offered him a longer role when they had no written character for him. For three weeks, Monty had him appear in scenes until she crafted a storyline, ultimately deciding he would portray a spy called “CK8,” later renamed Robert Scorpio. The character became a lasting presence in Port Charles throughout Rogers’ life, even when he wasn’t actively appearing on the show.
Scorpio’s dynamic romance with Holly Sutton, played by Emma Samms, was a fan favorite. He also shared numerous storylines with another spy, Anna Devane, portrayed by Finola Hughes. Scorpio and Devane had a daughter, Robin, played by Kimberly McCullough. Samms returned for a limited engagement last fall, revealing that Scorpio was the father of her adult daughter, Sasha Gilmore (played by Sofia Mattson).
Rogers and Samms exited the show together in November 2024 with a poignant scene set to “Casablanca.” He made a brief return for an episode in July, during which Sasha arrived in France with her newborn. It was subsequently disclosed that Rogers had been battling lung cancer.
His acting career also included roles in “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “The Young & The Restless,” and “Studio City.” He is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, and his son and daughter.
