Tristan Rogers, best known for playing Robert Scorpio on ABC’s General Hospital, has died at age 79. His death came less than a month after he made a special appearance on the show.
“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing,” said Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer. “Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years, and Port Charles will not be the same without him—or Robert Scorpio.”
Rogers was born in Melbourne, Australia. In his early twenties, he first performed as the drummer in a rock band with friends. When the band failed to take off, he turned to commercials and modeling for work. Eventually, he tried acting, landing small roles in Australia while also working as a DJ. Hoping to break into Hollywood, Rogers moved to Los Angeles. Casting directors were hesitant at first because of his accent, but in 1980 he was given a two-day part on General Hospital.
“I had no idea at the point how big the show was,” Rogers said in 2022 on State of Mind with Maurice Benard on YouTube.
At first, he was only supposed to fight the character Luke Spencer (played by Anthony Geary) and then leave. But after seeing his work, producer Gloria Monty asked him to stay. With no role written, Rogers appeared in scenes “looking suspicious” until writers made him into a spy named Robert Scorpio. The character went on to become one of the show’s most iconic roles.
Fans loved Scorpio’s on-again, off-again romance with Holly Sutton, played by Emma Samms. He also had a memorable storyline with fellow spy Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), with whom he shared a daughter, Robin (Kimberly McCullough). Last year, Samms returned to the show, where it was revealed that Scorpio was also the father of Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattson).
In November 2024, Rogers and Samms left the show in a storyline inspired by Casablanca. But Rogers returned in July for one more episode, where viewers learned he had lung cancer.
Outside of General Hospital, Rogers appeared on The Bold and the Beautiful, The Young & the Restless, and Studio City. For the latter, he won a Daytime Emmy Award for outstanding supporting actor in a digital drama.
He is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, along with a son and a daughter.
