Anthony Geary, iconic 'General Hospital' star who brought Luke Spencer to life, dies at 78

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Anthony Geary, the Emmy-winning actor who became a daytime television icon as Luke Spencer on 'General Hospital,' has died. He was 78.

Geary passed away on Sunday, December 14, following complications from an operation three days earlier. His death was confirmed by his husband, Claudio Gama, who described the loss as sudden and devastating.

General Hospital legend Anthony Geary dies at 78, family confirms

“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” Gama said in a statement. “For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”

Geary was best known for originating the role of Luke Spencer on 'General Hospital' in 1978, a character that went on to redefine the soap opera genre. Luke’s romance with Genie Francis’s Laura turned the pair into daytime television’s most famous supercouple.

Their on-screen wedding in 1981 drew an estimated 30 million viewers, making it the most-watched episode in soap opera history.

Geary remained closely associated with the role for decades, ultimately leaving the series for good in 2015 after multiple departures and returns.

Anthony Geary’s journey from Utah theater student to soap opera legend

Born in Coalville, Utah, in 1947, Geary was named Tony at birth and adopted the name Anthony professionally in 1978.

He earned a theater scholarship to the University of Utah and was cast in the touring production of The Subject Was Roses during his sophomore year, a role that brought him to Los Angeles and launched his acting career.

Before 'General Hospital,' Geary appeared in numerous television series throughout the 1970s, including 'All in the Family,' 'The Streets of San Francisco,' 'Starsky & Hutch,' and 'Marcus Welby.'

He joined 'General Hospital' for what was initially intended to be a 13-week stint. At the time, the show was struggling, but executive producer Gloria Monty’s creative overhaul, placing Luke at its center, helped turn it into a ratings powerhouse. Luke Spencer’s transformation from a villain to a beloved leading man became one of the most debated arcs in soap opera history.

Geary was nominated 16 times for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, winning a record eight times. Still, he often spoke about feeling constrained by the perception that he could only play Luke.

After briefly leaving General Hospital in the 1980s to pursue theater and film roles, including UHF, Disorderlies, and Scorchers, he returned in 1993 and remained a central figure on the show for another two decades.