Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio on the long-running soap opera General Hospital, has died at the age of 79 after a battle with lung cancer. His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the news on Friday morning.
The Australian-born actor played the iconic character on and off for 45 years. Soodak said the role “meant everything to him,” adding, “He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge.”
Rogers is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, whom he married in 1995, and their two children, Sarah and Cale. His representatives had previously shared that Rogers was “working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan” and expressed gratitude for fan support.
General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini paid tribute, saying, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken… Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed.” Co-star Finola Hughes recalled their first meeting, noting Rogers’ playful remark, “We’re gonna have fun, kid!”
Rogers also appeared in over 100 episodes of The Young and the Restless and The Bay. His Young and the Restless co-star Jess Walton praised his humour, saying, “That man makes me laugh so much.” Fans have also shared tributes online, remembering him as a “soap legend.”
