Tristan Rogers, the acclaimed actor best known for his long-running role as the charming secret agent Robert Scorpio on the soap opera General Hospital, has died at the age of 79. His manager confirmed that Rogers passed away on Friday, August 15, following a battle with lung cancer.
Rogers, an Australian actor, began his iconic role as Robert Scorpio in 1980. The character, originally slated for a brief appearance, became a fan favorite and a central figure in the show’s history. He appeared in over 1,400 episodes over four decades, even after his character was killed off and later brought back in a classic soap opera twist. Rogers also had a notable role as Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless and won a Daytime Emmy for his work on the digital drama series Studio City.
In July, Rogers’ diagnosis with cancer was made public. At the time, he expressed his gratitude to his fans for their support, which he said meant more to him than ever. According to his manager, Rogers, who was not a smoker, had been battling lung cancer. The General Hospital executive producer, Frank Valentini, issued a statement expressing the heartbreak of the entire cast and crew, noting that Rogers had “captivated our fans for more than 45 years” and that “Port Charles will not be the same without him.”
Tristan Rogers is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, and their two children.