General Hospital Legend Anthony Geary Dies at 78
Anthony “Tony” Geary, the record-breaking actor who defined daytime television as the iconic Luke Spencer on General Hospital, has died at the age of 78.
Geary passed away on Sunday, December 14, 2025, in Amsterdam, where he had been living in retirement. His death was caused by complications following a scheduled surgical procedure performed three days prior. The news was confirmed by his husband of over 30 years, Claudio Gama, who described the loss as a “shock” to their family and friends.
A Daytime Phenomenon: The Luke Spencer Legacy
Geary joined General Hospital in 1978 for what was intended to be a 13-week guest stint. Instead, he stayed for nearly four decades, transforming the struggling soap opera into a global pop-culture phenomenon.
- The Supercouple: Paired with Genie Francis (Laura Webber), the duo became “Luke and Laura,” the most famous couple in soap opera history.
- A Television Milestone: Their 1981 onscreen wedding remains the most-watched hour in daytime history, drawing 30 million viewers and featuring a guest appearance by Elizabeth Taylor.
- Emmy Royalty: Geary holds the record for the most wins in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series category, taking home eight Daytime Emmy Awards throughout his career.
Tributes from the GH Family
Following the news, the General Hospital community shared their heartbreak. Executive Producer Frank Valentini stated that the entire cast and crew were “heartbroken,” noting that Geary “set the bar that we continue to strive for.”
His longtime screen partner, Genie Francis, shared a moving tribute on social media:
“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary… He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life. I am crushed, I will miss him terribly.”
Life Beyond Port Charles
Born in Coalville, Utah, Geary began his career in theater and primetime television, appearing in shows like All in the Family, Starsky & Hutch, and The Partridge Family. Even during his height of fame, Geary often felt “stifled” by the character of Luke, leading him to take several breaks to pursue theater and film roles, including a memorable turn in Weird Al Yankovic’s UHF.
Geary officially retired in 2015, moving full-time to his home in Amsterdam to “raise the curtain on act 3” of his life. Despite his complicated relationship with his most famous role, he remained grateful for the journey, telling Entertainment Weekly at the time of his exit, “In the end, it’s been well worth it.”
