General Hospital ‘Luke Spencer’ Actor Anthony Geary Dies

AMSTERDAM. (THECOUNT) — Anthony Geary, the Emmy-winning actor best known worldwide for his decades-long portrayal of Luke Spencer on the ABC soap opera “General Hospital,” has died at the age of 78, according to confirmation from his family.

Geary passed away Sunday in Amsterdam, a family member confirmed to TMZ. According to TV Insider, his death resulted from complications following a scheduled medical operation performed three days earlier. No additional medical details were publicly released.

His husband, Claudio Gama, spoke about the loss in comments shared with TV Insider.

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

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the Daytime Emmy Awards, released a statement acknowledging Geary’s passing and his historic impact on daytime television.

“Our condolences are with our friends at ‘General Hospital’ on the passing of Anthony Geary, who won a record-breaking 8 Emmys in the Lead Actor category,” the organization told The New York Post. “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.”

Anthony Dean Geary was born on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah. He began pursuing acting in his early adulthood and made his television debut in 1970 with an appearance on the series “Room 222.” He soon followed with guest roles on several notable television programs, including “All in the Family” and “The Partridge Family.”

Geary’s first soap opera role came in 1971, when he portrayed David Lockhart on “Bright Promise,” a role he held until 1972. In 1973, he joined “The Young and the Restless,” where he played George Curtis, a villainous character whose storyline drew significant attention.

His career reached global prominence in 1978 when he was cast as Luke Spencer on “General Hospital.” The character initially appeared as an antagonist but evolved into one of the most recognizable figures in daytime television history. Geary’s performance ultimately earned him a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.

Luke Spencer’s on-screen romance with Laura Webber, portrayed by Genie Francis, became a defining storyline of the era. The fictional couple’s wedding episode in 1980 was watched by more than 30 million viewers and featured actress Elizabeth Taylor in a guest role as Helena Cassadine, making it one of the most-watched episodes in soap opera history.

Geary exited “General Hospital” in 1983 but returned in 1991 as Bill Eckert, a lookalike cousin of Luke Spencer. By 1993, he resumed the role of Luke, remaining a central figure on the series until his final appearance as a regular cast member aired on July 27, 2015.

In a May 2015 interview with TV Line, Geary reflected on his decision to step away from the role.

“This show has been a huge part of my life for over half my life, and Luke Spencer is my alter ego,” he said. “I’m just weary of the grind and have been for 20 years. There was a point after my back surgery last year where it became clear to me that my time is not infinite. And I really don’t want to die, collapsing in a heap, on that ‘G.H.’ set one day.”

Geary also discussed the evolution of Luke and Laura’s relationship, saying that while the characters shared a deep history and children together, he believed their romantic arc had reached its conclusion.

He returned to “General Hospital” for the final time in May 2017 for actress Jane Elliot’s last episode as Tracy Quartermaine. The character of Luke Spencer was later written out and killed off-screen in 2022.

Beyond daytime television, Geary appeared in several feature films, including “Pass the Ammo,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “Fish Tank,” and “Carpool Guy.”

Anthony Geary’s portrayal of Luke Spencer remains one of the most influential performances in the history of daytime television, leaving a lasting legacy recognized by audiences and industry peers alike.

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