Anthony Geary Dead: The ‘General Hospital’ Star Who Played Luke Spencer Was 78

Famed General Hospital star Anthony Geary has died at age 78.

Geary’s husband, Claudio Gama, confirmed the news of the soap opera star’s death to TV Insider on Monday, December 15

“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” Gama shared in a statement. “For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”

Gama revealed that Geary died on Sunday, December 14, in the Netherlands, three days after undergoing an operation. (Us Weekly has reached out to ABC for additional comment.)

The late actor was best known for playing the role of Luke Spencer on General Hospital, a role he held since 1978. Geary first departed the ABC soap in 1984 before returning in 1993. He appeared consistently as Luke until 2015, when he officially left behind his series regular role.

“I’ve been thinking about it for 10 years,” Geary said during a May 2015 interview. “Ever since I found the place where my heart is, which is the city of Amsterdam. I never felt as comfortable or as authentic as I have felt there.”

He continued. “One of the reasons I became an actor is that I felt not at home in my skin and not really comfortable with the people I grew up around, and it became a sanctuary for me to live in my imagination. In Amsterdam, I find the whole city is just a big playground for my imagination and I feel very comfortable there.”

Geary made a surprise return to the show in May 2017, which marked his last General Hospital appearance prior to his death.

Geary’s character, Luke, was one-half of the famed couple Luke and Laura (Genie Francis). The wedding episode on General Hospital, which aired in 1981, is widely known as one of the most iconic moments in soap opera history.

Geary won eight Daytime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Luke. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, who distributes the Daytime Emmy Awards released a statement on Monday.

“Our condolences are with our friends at General Hospital on the passing of Anthony Geary, who won a record-breaking eight Emmys in the Lead Actor category,” Rachel Schwartz, Head of Daytime / Children’s & Family Emmys, shared in a statement. “As one half of the power couple ‘Luke and Laura,’ their popularity brought daytime television into the zeitgeist and created one of the genre’s most beloved super-couples. Our sympathies are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones.”

Nearly one month before his death, Geary’s husband posted a video of the actor watching his former costars Francis and current General Hospital star Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) on the “State of Mind” podcast.

“Greetings and happy week to all from Amsterdam,” Gama captioned the November 17 video. “This evening only one post I showed Tony state of mind show from @mauricebenard latest you tube video series with guest Genie Francis and it really made Tony very happy he told me ‘those are two lovely and talented people great friends and I miss them.’”

Famed General Hospital star Anthony Geary has died at age 78.

Geary’s husband, Claudio Gama, confirmed the news of the soap opera star’s death to TV Insider on Monday, December 15

“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” Gama shared in a statement. “For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”

Gama revealed that Geary died on Sunday, December 14, in the Netherlands, three days after undergoing an operation. (Us Weekly has reached out to ABC for additional comment.)

The late actor was best known for playing the role of Luke Spencer on General Hospital, a role he held since 1978. Geary first departed the ABC soap in 1984 before returning in 1993. He appeared consistently as Luke until 2015, when he officially left behind his series regular role.

“I’ve been thinking about it for 10 years,” Geary said during a May 2015 interview. “Ever since I found the place where my heart is, which is the city of Amsterdam. I never felt as comfortable or as authentic as I have felt there.”

He continued. “One of the reasons I became an actor is that I felt not at home in my skin and not really comfortable with the people I grew up around, and it became a sanctuary for me to live in my imagination. In Amsterdam, I find the whole city is just a big playground for my imagination and I feel very comfortable there.”

Geary made a surprise return to the show in May 2017, which marked his last General Hospital appearance prior to his death.

Geary’s character, Luke, was one-half of the famed couple Luke and Laura (Genie Francis). The wedding episode on General Hospital, which aired in 1981, is widely known as one of the most iconic moments in soap opera history.

Geary won eight Daytime Emmy Awards for his portrayal of Luke. The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, who distributes the Daytime Emmy Awards released a statement on Monday.

“Our condolences are with our friends at General Hospital on the passing of Anthony Geary, who won a record-breaking eight Emmys in the Lead Actor category,” Rachel Schwartz, Head of Daytime / Children’s & Family Emmys, shared in a statement. “As one half of the power couple ‘Luke and Laura,’ their popularity brought daytime television into the zeitgeist and created one of the genre’s most beloved super-couples. Our sympathies are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones.”

Nearly one month before his death, Geary’s husband posted a video of the actor watching his former costars Francis and current General Hospital star Maurice Benard (Sonny Corinthos) on the “State of Mind” podcast.

“Greetings and happy week to all from Amsterdam,” Gama captioned the November 17 video. “This evening only one post I showed Tony state of mind show from @mauricebenard latest you tube video series with guest Genie Francis and it really made Tony very happy he told me ‘those are two lovely and talented people great friends and I miss them.’”