Beloved actor Tristan Rogers, best known for bringing the iconic Robert Scorpio to life in “General Hospital,” has passed away at the age of 79, just weeks after delighting fans with a surprise return to the long-running soap.
“The general hospital family is deeply saddened by the loss of Tristan Rogers,” Shared Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer.”For 45 years, Tristan brought Robert Scorpio to life, captivating generations of fans. Port Charles will never feel the same without his presence.”
Tristan Rogers was born in Melbourne, Australia, in 1989. Rogers first stepped into the spotlight in his early twenties – not as an actor, but as a drummer in a rock band with his friends. The group never quite found success, so to make ends meet, he dabbled in modelling and commercial work. When the band eventually broke up, Tristan Rogers took a leap of faith and turned his attention to acting. Along the way, he spun records as a DJ before chasing bigger dreams in Los Angeles. Hollywood wasn’t easy-casting directors were hesitant about his thick Australian accent, but persistence paid off. In 1980, he landed his very first American role: a two-day appearance on General Hospital.
Tristan Rogers admitted to fellow “General Hospital” star Maurice Benard on his YouTube series State of Mind in 2022 that, at the time, he had no clue just how massive the was.
“I didn’t even have a name,” Rogers recalled. “I was brought in to rough up the hero, Luke (played by Anthony Geary), and then vanish,” But fate had other plans. Midway through his very first day, executive producer Gloria Monty surprised him with a question: Would he like to stick around?
There was no role waiting for him, so for weeks Monty simply placed him in the background in scenes, looking suspicious, until the writers figured it out. Soon, he was cast as a mysterious spy code-named “CK,” a role that quickly evolved into the iconic Robert Scorpio. What began as a brief appearance turned into a lifelong legacy in Port Charles – one that followed Rogers through every return, even when he wasn’t part of the current cast.
Scorpio’s rollercoaster romance with Holly Sutton, played by Emma Samms, was of the most beloved storylines among General Hospital fans. He also shared sparks and plenty of spy-driven drama with Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), with whom he has a daughter, Robin, portrayed by Kimberly McCullough.
Samms made a return to the series last fall, bringing a shocking twist – Scorpio was revealed to be the father of her grown daughter, Sash Gilmore (Sofia Mattson)
In November 2024, Tristan Rogers and Samms exited the soap together in a farewell storyline that paid homage to Casablanca. But Tristan Rogers wasn’t gone for long. He returned briefly in July, when Sasha visited his home in France with her newborn. That episode took a heartbreaking turn, as it was revealed that Rogers’ character was battling lung cancer.
Beyond General Hospital, Tristan Rogers left his mark on soap classics like “The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young & The Restless. He also starred in Studio City, a role that earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a digital drama series. Rogers’ legacy lives on through his wife, Teresa Parkson, and their two children.
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