Claudio Gama, the husband of legendary General Hospital star Anthony Geary, has publicly shared his grief following the actor's death earlier this month. Geary passed away in Amsterdam on Sunday, 14 December, at the age of 78, just three days after undergoing an operation.
An Emotional Farewell from a Devoted Husband
Gama confirmed the sad news in an initial statement to TV Insider, describing the loss as "a shock for me and our families and our friends." He later took to Instagram on Monday to pen a deeply personal tribute after saying their final goodbyes.
"Greetings to all from Amsterdam today we said our last goodbyes to Tony," Gama wrote. "He is now resting up where the stars shine bright he will always be missed."
He expressed profound gratitude for the support shown to the late actor, stating, "His love his life his art speaks for itself me Max and the family would like to thank all of Tony's friends and colleagues for the wonderful support and respect you have shown Tony."
A Life and Career Built for the Fans
In his moving post, Gama gave a special mention to Geary's devoted fanbase. "He always told me everything he did as an actor as an artist was for his fans without your love and support he would have never reached the heights he did in his career," he continued.
Gama fondly listed the actor's passions, writing, "Acting was his passion as was dancing singing drink cola payday candy bars and cats he loved his country and his second home of Amsterdam." The tribute concluded with, "Rest in Peace our Tony. Stay warm safe and healthy."
The Instagram post featured a photo of Geary posing outdoors, followed by a slide showing memorial photographs on a table. Their cat, Max, was pictured sitting before a black-and-white image of the actor.
A Lasting Legacy in Port Charles and Beyond
Anthony Geary was synonymous with his role as Luke Spencer on General Hospital, a character he first played from 1978 to 1982. He returned to the iconic part in 1993 and remained until 2015, with a final guest cameo in 2017.
His portrayal earned him a record-breaking eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor, cementing his status as a soap opera legend. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, Geary and co-star Genie Francis (Laura) became a defining "supercouple." Their on-screen wedding in 1981 captivated a staggering 30 million viewers.
Francis herself penned a heartfelt tribute on Facebook, recalling, "I felt his life end in my sleep last night." She praised Geary as "a powerhouse" and "one of a kind," adding, "He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life."
Fellow General Hospital alumnus John Stamos also shared an emotional tribute, honouring his late "friend" and reflecting on how the "one of a kind" actor changed his life.
Geary and Gama had been in a relationship for three decades and married six years ago. They shared their life together in Amsterdam with their beloved cat, Max. In a 2003 interview, Geary reflected on finding happiness there, saying, "I live in the city that I've always wanted to live in my whole life and I have somebody who loves me and I have a life now."
In his final interview in 2023, Geary expressed satisfaction with his remarkable career. "I look back on it and it's great and it gave me this wonderful life I have now," he told Soap Opera Digest. The entertainment world now mourns the loss of a true icon, remembered for his art, his passion, and the profound legacy he leaves behind.
