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Anthony Geary: Legendary Actor of 'General Hospital' Series Dies at 78

The entertainment world is mourning the passing of Anthony Geary, the iconic actor from the series General Hospital, who has died at the age of 78.

Anthony Geary: Legendary Actor of 'General Hospital' Series Dies at 78
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The entertainment world is mourning the passing of Anthony Geary, the iconic actor from the series General Hospital, who has died at the age of 78.

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Anthony Geary, the legendary actor best known for his role as Luke Spencer on the daytime drama series "General Hospital," has passed away.

The sad news was announced on Sunday, December 14, after Geary underwent a surgical procedure three days earlier.

“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends," Geary’s husband, Claudio Gama, told the outlet in a statement. "For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”

The eight-time Daytime Emmy-winning actor passed away in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

As one of the most iconic characters on television, Luke Spencer has been a constant companion to millions of viewers for decades.

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The Passing of a General Hospital Icon

Anthony Geary passed away on Sunday, December 14, in Amsterdam, Netherlands.

His death was caused by complications arising from a scheduled surgery he had undergone three days earlier.

He was 78 years old, ending the life of an actor who had dedicated much of his life to acting.

Geary's husband, Claudio Gama, broke the sad news to the public, expressing his shock saying that for over 30 years, Tony had been his friend, companion, and husband.

In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Monday, Dec. 15, General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini said the "entire General Hospital family is heartbroken" over the news.

"Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for," Valentini said.

"His legacy, and that of Luke Spencer's, will live on through the generations of GH cast members who have followed in his footsteps. We send our sincerest sympathies to his husband, Claudio, family, and friends. May he rest in peace.”

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Luke Spencer's Enduring Legacy

Anthony Geary began playing Luke Spencer on "General Hospital" in 1978.

The role quickly became incredibly popular and transformed him into one of the most recognizable soap opera stars.

He continued to play Luke until retiring from full-time work in 2015.

During his four decades as Luke Spencer, Geary earned a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for his performance and makes him one of the most awarded actors in Daytime Emmy history.

One of the most legendary moments in the history of "General Hospital" was the wedding of Luke Spencer to Laura.

The 1981 wedding episode was watched by an estimated 30 million people, making it the most-watched soap opera episode in American television history.

Geary returned as Luke for his final appearance in 2017.

Before being hospitalized for surgery, he even completed his final acting project alongside Anders Hove (Cesar Faison, GH).

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Anthony Geary's Profile

Geary was born in Coalville, Utah, in 1947. His birth name was Tony; he changed it to Anthony in 1978.

"I had a happy childhood, and my family was always close," he told PEOPLE in 1980. "But early on they realized I wasn't of this earth, that I wouldn't follow my father's lead. . . . In school I was always an artistic loner.”

He earned a theater scholarship to the University of Utah, and during his sophomore year, he was selected to join the touring troupe of the play The Subject Was Roses, which brought him to Los Angeles.

He stayed there and looked for work as an actor. "I was cocky and confident," he told PEOPLE.

Geary's early career consisted mostly of guest roles on TV shows.

He appeared in an early episode of All in the Family as a gay man confronting Archie Bunker's homophobia.

Other shows he guest-starred on during the 1970s included The Streets of San Francisco, Room 222, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Partridge Family, Barnaby Jones, Starsky & Hutch, and the soap opera The Young and the Restless.