Legend of 'General Hospital' Anthony Geary Passes Away... The 'Eternal Luke' with 8 Emmy Awards

"Luke Spencer has entered eternal rest." Anthony Geary, one of the most beloved characters in American TV history and known as the emperor of soap operas, has passed away at the age of 78.

According to reports from Variety and other media on the 16th (local time), Geary's husband Claudio Gama stated that he peacefully passed away at his home in the Netherlands on the 14th. The cause of death is reported to be complications following surgery.

◆ 'Luke and Laura' Made TV History

Born in 1947 in Coalville, Utah, Geary joined the ABC long-running drama 'General Hospital' in 1978, marking the beginning of a legend.

The character he portrayed, 'Luke Spencer', shared joys and sorrows with viewers for 37 years until his retirement in 2015. The 'Luke and Laura' couple, especially with Genie Francis (as Laura), became an icon of popular culture. The wedding episode aired in 1981 was watched by a staggering 30 million viewers, setting the record for the highest viewership in soap opera history.

◆ 8-Time Emmy Winner, Acting God

Geary was not only a star but also an actor with overwhelming talent. He won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor a total of 8 times (1982, 1999, 2000, 2004, 2006, 2008, 2012, 2015), holding the record for the most wins in this category. His performance, perfectly embodying a complex and multi-dimensional anti-hero character, became a textbook for younger actors.

◆ "The Eternal Standard of GH"

Frank Valentini, the executive producer of 'General Hospital', stated in a press release, "Our entire family is deeply saddened by the news of Anthony Geary's passing. He was an outstanding actor and set the standard of acting that we must continue to pursue," paying tribute to the late actor.

After retirement, he moved to Amsterdam, Netherlands, and enjoyed a quiet life. He is survived by his husband Claudio Gama, with whom he spent 6 years, and two sisters, along with nieces and nephews.