Anthony Geary, recognized for his role as Luke Spencer on the daytime television series "General Hospital," died on Sunday in Amsterdam at the age of 78. The cause was complications following a surgical procedure three days prior.
ABC confirmed his death in a statement: "We are deeply saddened by the passing of Anthony Geary, whose portrayal of Luke Spencer helped define General Hospital and daytime television." Frank Valentini, executive producer of "General Hospital," stated, "The entire 'General Hospital' family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary's passing. Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for."
Career Highlights
Geary's career spanned over 40 years. He joined "General Hospital" in 1978 and earned eight Daytime Emmy awards for his portrayal of Luke Spencer. His character's pairing with Genie Francis' Laura Webber Baldwin gained significant public attention.
The 1981 wedding storyline of Luke and Laura was broadcast in two parts and attracted approximately 30 million viewers, an event that included a guest appearance by Elizabeth Taylor. Genie Francis commented on Geary's acting, stating he was a "powerhouse as an actor."
Other Roles and Character Development
In addition to "General Hospital," Geary had various television and stage credits, including roles on other soap operas such as "The Young and the Restless" and "Bright Promise." He played Luke Spencer intermittently until 2015 and made a cameo return in 2017. Geary resided in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama.
Geary addressed the complexities of playing Luke Spencer in a 1993 interview, noting the public expectation of his character. He characterized Luke and Laura as "mythic creatures" with a "mutual connection."
The character of Luke originated as a small-time hitman enlisted to disrupt the relationship between Laura and Scotty Baldwin. The narrative included Luke sexually assaulting Laura, after which the character underwent a redemption arc, evolving into a heroic figure who served as mayor of Port Charles. Geary described Luke to ABC's "Nightline" in 2015 as an "anti-hero" who was "all shades of grey."
Early Life and Beginnings
Anthony Geary was born to Mormon parents in Coalville, Utah. He was discovered while performing on stage at the University of Utah, which led to a role in a touring company of "The Subject was Roses" and his relocation to Los Angeles. His television debut was as Tom Whalom on an episode of "Room 222." Subsequent appearances included "All in the Family," "The Partridge Family," "The Mod Squad," "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "The Streets of San Francisco," and "Barnaby Jones."