Anthony Geary, the iconic actor best known for bringing General Hospital’s Luke Spencer to life, has died at the age of 78. A towering figure in daytime television and an eight-time Daytime Emmy Award winner, Geary passed away on December 14 due to complications following a scheduled operation three days earlier.
Just weeks before his death, Geary was seen watching a podcast appearance by his longtime General Hospital co-star Genie Francis on Maurice Benard’s State of Mind. The moment was shared by his husband, Claudio Gama, who wrote that the video “really made Tony very happy,” adding that Geary said Francis and Benard were “lovely and talented people” and that he missed them dearly.
Born on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah, Geary was raised in a Mormon household by his father, a construction company owner, and his mother, a homemaker. He grew up with three sisters — Dana, DeAnn and Jana. While his mother hoped he would become a teacher, Geary felt drawn to acting from an early age, a calling that would shape his entire life.
While studying at the University of Utah, Geary’s talent caught the eye of actor Jack Albertson, who cast him in a touring production of The Subject Was Roses. The opportunity proved pivotal, launching a professional career that would span decades. Alongside his television fame, Geary remained deeply devoted to theatre, appearing in more than 50 stage productions.
In the late 1960s, he moved to Los Angeles and began building a steady television career, with roles on popular shows such as The Partridge Family, The Mod Squad and All in the Family. He soon became a familiar face on soap operas, first appearing as David Lockhart on Bright Promise before taking on the controversial role of George Curtis on The Young and the Restless. That performance ultimately led legendary producer Gloria Monty to cast him as Luke Spencer on General Hospital in 1978 — a decision that would change daytime television forever.
Geary’s pairing with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber became one of the most famous romances in TV history. Their chemistry and the show’s runaway storyline in 1980 sent General Hospital to the top of the ratings and turned Luke and Laura into a cultural phenomenon. Their 1981 wedding episode drew an estimated 30 million viewers and featured Elizabeth Taylor as Helena Cassadine. The trio later appeared together on the cover of People magazine, a rare honor for daytime actors.
Even after Francis’ initial departure from the show, Geary remained its anchor, sharing the screen with actors including Demi Moore and Emma Samms. He left and returned multiple times over the years, even portraying Luke’s cousin Bill Eckert in the early 1990s, before resuming his signature role once again. Geary finally retired from General Hospital in 2015.
Beyond soaps, Geary appeared in a wide range of films and television projects, including UHF, The Disorderlies, Crack House, Scorchers and Carpool Guy. Remarkably, the day before he was scheduled to enter hospital, Geary filmed a scene with Anders Hove for an upcoming project, marking his final acting work.
He is survived by his husband, Claudio Gama, who said, “It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.” The couple also shared their life with their beloved cat, Max. After retiring, Geary settled permanently in Amsterdam, a city he loved and considered home.
Anthony Geary’s impact on daytime television is immeasurable. While he will forever be remembered as Luke Spencer, his legacy goes far beyond a single role — that of a fearless, dedicated performer who helped redefine what a soap opera star could be.