Soap star Anthony Geary, Luke from 'General Hospital,' dies at 78

Anthony Geary, who played one half of legendary soap opera couple Luke and Laura on ABC's "General Hospital" for 37 years, has died, according to a report from TV Insider. He was 78.

Geary died Sunday, Dec. 14, after complications from surgery, according to TV Insider. Geary's husband, Claudio Gama, told the outlet, "It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband."

The actor is best known for playing Luke Spencer on "General Hospital," originating the soap opera character in 1978 and playing him until he retired in 2015. The character was eventually paired romantically with Laura (Genie Francis) and became perhaps the most popular soap opera couple of all time. The characters' 1981 wedding episode was watched by 30 million people, making it the most-watched soap opera episode in history.

Geary retired from full-time work on the series in 2015, and appeared as Luke for the last time in 2017. He eventually relocated from Los Angeles to Amsterdam. He married Gama in 2020.

"Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini said he and the "entire 'General Hospital family'" are "heartbroken" over the news of Geary's death.

"Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for," the statement, posted to the official show Instagram account, read. "His legacy, and that of Luke Spencer's, will live on through the generations of #GH cast members who have followed in his footsteps. We send our sincerest sympathies to his husband, Claudio, family, and friends. May he rest in peace."

Luke and Laura's saga kept daytime viewers riveted for decades. The two characters shared two TV children: Lucky (most recently played by Jonathan Jackson) and Lulu (currently played by Alexa Havins). In later years, he was married to Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot).

"It was once very difficult for me realize that more than likely my obituary in the paper will read, 'Luke of Luke and Laura fame died today.' It was very upsetting when I came to that realization," Geary told Entertainment Weekly in 2015, on the eve of his exit from the soap. "It's not my favorite time of my life and I don't think it represents me as a person or an actor. It's kind of like whenever you are introduced they haul out a high school graduation picture. It can be irritating. You balance that with what it has given me. … In the end it's been well worth it."

Geary was born in Coalville, Utah, in 1947, with the name "Tony," later changing it to "Anthony." The actor got his start in theater at the University of Utah before moving into professional roles. His early television career included roles on the fifth episode of "All in the Family" and regular stints on daytime series "Bright Promise" and "The Young and the Restless." In 1978 he was approached about a role on "Hospital" by legendary daytime TV producer Gloria Monty.

"In my first meeting, I said to her, 'I hate soap operas,' and she said, 'Honey, so do I, and we're going to change all that,'" Geary said in a 2007 interview for the Television Academy Foundation website.

The role was only meant to last 13 weeks – but it ended up lasting 37 years.

"In the beginning Luke Spencer was a complete bastard," Geary, who shared the screen with the likes of Demi Moore during his early years, told People back in 1980. "He was a cheap little punk who managed a disco and was a doper runner for the Mafia. He was a real killer."

Luke evolved over time to be more sympathetic and would win Geary a record-breaking eight Daytime Emmys for lead actor. The character's love for hijinks and adventure kept longtime viewers on their toes to see how Luke would wriggle out of each escalating predicament next.

“Our condolences are with our friends at 'General Hospital' on the passing of Anthony Geary," said Rachel Schwartz, head of daytime and children and family Emmys. "As one half of the power couple 'Luke and Laura,' their popularity brought daytime television into the zeitgeist and created one of the genre's most beloved super-couples. Our sympathies are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones.” 

Contributing: David Oliver