Actor Tristan Rogers has died at age 79 following a battle with lung cancer.
His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his passing with ABC7 News, telling the outlet Rogers died Friday morning following a battle with the ailment.
Soodak added his client had never been a smoker.
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying international spy-turned-Port Charles D.A. Robert Scorpio on General Hospital – a role Soodak said ‘meant everything to him.’
While he did not appear on every episode, he still was a long-standing presence on the series with 1461 episodes under his belt.
‘He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing. He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being and he loved his family,’ he said.
Actor Tristan Rogers, pictured L, has died following a battle with lung cancer
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital – a role Soodak said ‘meant everything to him’; pictured 1981
Rogers is survived by his wife Teresa Parkerson, their children Sara Jane and Cale, and a grandchild.
His death comes just weeks after his cancer diagnosis was revealed.
His friend and publicist, Anthony Turk, revealed the heartbreaking ailment in a press release obtained by Soap Opera Digest.
‘Beloved Emmy-winning actor Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio on the daytime drama, General Hospital, is sharing with fans that he has been diagnosed with cancer,’ Turk began.
He continued: ‘While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family.’
The star’s rep asked for ‘privacy and understanding’ as Rogers and his family faced ‘the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis.’
‘They are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their friends and family. Tristan sends his love to his fans and wants them to know how much he appreciates their loyalty and encouragement over the years,’ Turk concluded. ‘This support means more to him now than ever.’
Tributes came flooding in on social media after his death was revealed, including from the General Hospital family.
The soap’s executive producer Frank Valentini released a statement on the show’s official Instagram account, praising him as a ‘one-of-a-kind talent.’
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital; Rogers pictured upper left
Roger’s General Hospital co-star Jon Lindstrom paid tribute
‘The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for more than 50 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio),’ he wrote.
‘I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.’
Roger’s General Hospital co-star Jon Lindstrom tweeted, ‘I know the sadness I feel at this news is shared by so many of you. #TristanRogers was one of the coolest, funniest people I ever met.
‘Whenever we were together, which wasn’t nearly often enough, we never missed a chance to try to crack the other one up. I wish I’d had more of those chances. R.I.P. #FlightOfAngels #Scorpio @GeneralHospital #GH.’
Rogers was born in Melbourne, Victoria, on June 3, 1946, and his resume boasts a long list of roles on iconic shows.
Rogers on a 1982 episode of General Hospital
The show paid tribute to Rogers with a statement by executive producer Frank Valentini on Instagram
In addition to General Hospital, Rogers’ soap experience includes playing Colin Atkinson The Young and the Restless and Hunter Jones, P.I. on The Bold and the Beautiful.
He also reprised his role for the spin-off, General Hospital: Night Shift, which followed his on-screen daughter Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough).
Tristan was only supposed to be General Hospital to ‘beat up the hero’, but his role was extended after impressing the show’s executive producer, the late Gloria Monty.
His agent pitched the part to him as a ‘two day role’, and Tristan was unaware at the time of just how popular the show was when he went in to audition.
‘I was brought in, I had no name, I was brought in expressly to beat up the hero, Luke, and then disappear,’ he said in a 2022 interview with State Of Mind with Maurice Benard.
‘So the half day goes by and I get summoned into Gloria’s office, and she said, “We really like what you’re doing, would you like to stay?”‘
Rogers was with the show ever since, though there were stretches of years where he did not appear on the series.
Rogers seen shooting the soap opera in 1982
Rogers pictured with co-star Finola Hughes on a 2023 episode of General Hospital
His character has endured quite a bit on camera – Robert Scorpio was killed off in an explosion in 1992 but that didn’t mark the end of his General Hospital journey, with the character coming back as a spirit in 1995 before returning in 2006 after the character was discovered to be alive.
‘I think this character will follow me to my grave,’ he told the New York Times back in 2006.
Tristan’s resume includes roles in Walker, Texas Ranger, Tales from the Crypt, The Love Boat, The Sullivans, The Agency, Studio City, and The Bay.
He’s also lent his voice to numerous animated productions, including The Wild Thornberrys, Batman Beyond, and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters.
In 2020, Rogers won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama Series for his role as Doc in Studio City.
Rogers’ early acting roles were on n television and cameos in soap operas Bellbird, Number 96 (in 1974), and The Box (in 1975).
He also appeared in the police drama series The Link Men (1970), Barrier Reef, Division 4, and the 1976 miniseries Power Without Glory.
Other credits include voicing Jake in Walt Disney Pictures’ The Rescuers Down Under as well as Four Dimensions of Greta (1972), The Flesh and Blood Show (1972) and Sex Farm (1973).
Additionally, the star has done voice-over work representing restaurant chains like Outback Steakhouse, Reebok, Epson and others.