Tristan Rogers has received a cancer diagnosis.
The 79-year-old soap star shared this news with fans on Thursday, July 17th, through his representative, Anthony Turk.
“My beloved Emmy Award-winning actor Tristan Rogers is best known for his role as Robert Scorpio in the daytime drama General Hospital, and he wants to share that he has been diagnosed with cancer,” the statement noted.
“He remains hopeful and is actively engaged with his medical team on a treatment plan—it’s a really tough time for him and his family. They kindly ask for privacy and understanding given the emotional and physical challenges that accompany this diagnosis,” Turk added.
A longtime friend of Rogers emphasized the gratitude he and his family feel for the support surrounding them.
“They are truly thankful for the outpouring of love from friends and family. Tristan sends his love to his fans and appreciates their loyalty and encouragement over the years. This support means more to him now than ever. Updates will be shared as appropriate,” the statement concluded.
Details about the specific type of cancer have not been disclosed.
Rogers has portrayed district attorney Robert Scorpio on and off in General Hospital since 1980.
He first took on the role in the early ’80s and left the show in 1992, making several returns throughout the years.
In 2018, he expressed why he enjoys playing his beloved character. “Robert always had a kind of humorous approach to everything. He’s a bit of a wise guy,” he told the outlet.
“I work with a lot of different people, and I think the fans will enjoy it,” he added.
The last time fans saw Robert on screen was in November when he departed with his ex-wife, Holly Sutton.
Rogers is quite familiar in the soap opera scene, having also played Hunter in The Bold and the Beautiful in 1997 and Colin in General Hospital from 2010-2012 and again in 2017.
He won a daytime Emmy Award for his performance in the digital drama series Studio City.
General Hospital, which debuted in 1963, is currently in its 62nd season and has experienced numerous cast changes in recent years.
This past August, Kelly Monaco, known for her role as Sam McCall since 2003, was let go after 21 years, leading to controversies.
Shortly afterward, Brooklyn Ray Schiltzer, who had played Emma Drake for over a decade, was replaced by Bredin Brunner. The 19-year-old actress expressed her gratitude in a social media post for her time on the show.
Earlier this month, Eva LaRue announced her departure from the series just a year after joining as Jacqueline Greys Lopez’s mother. LaRue rose to fame for her role in All My Children.
“I was originally supposed to be part of the show for just a few months,” LaRue shared.
Kirsten Storms, who has portrayed Maxie Jones since 2005, also revealed she would be taking a break from General Hospital. “I’m really excited to settle into Tennessee! Once Harper and I get settled, we can’t wait to return to GH,” she shared on Instagram.
Meanwhile, Kin Shriner, known for his role as Scott Baldwin for decades, recently confirmed he had left the show. Having starred in over 1,700 episodes, Shriner’s departure marked the end of a notable era.
In February, Cassandra James, who plays Dr. Terry Randolph, commented on the ongoing changes within the cast. “With our anniversary approaching, we have a lot of legacy actors leaving and returning. The world of Port Charles is expansive, so there’s always someone coming back,” she said.
She also reflected on the loss of Leslie Charleson, who played Dr. Monica Quartermain for almost 50 years. “We’re all deeply saddened by her passing. Leslie had a fantastic sense of humor,” James recalled.
