General Hospital has lost one of its most beloved stars.

Tristan Rogers, the Australian actor best known for his iconic role as Robert Scorpio, has passed away. He was 79.

Remembering a Soap Opera Legend

Rogers’ longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his death to ABC 7 Eyewitness News on Friday (Aug. 15).

“His General Hospital role meant everything to him,” he said.

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Sodak continued, “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 bein,g and he loved his family.”

The actor had revealed last month that he’d been diagnosed with cancer.

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini also paid tribute to Rogers in a statement.

“The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio),” Valentini said.

He added, “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.”

From Melbourne to Port Charles

Born in Melbourne in 1946, Rogers left school in 1964 and briefly fronted a rock band with friends before turning to modeling and commercials at 21.

With no formal training, he decided to take a chance on acting. “As far as I was concerned, it was a way to make a bit of money. That’s all,” he told Soap.com in 2022.

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His early credits included appearances on Australian television staples like Bellbird, Number 96 (1974), and The Box (1975).

In 1980, Rogers moved to the U.S., where his life — and daytime television — would change forever.

Cast as Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, he played the charming spy-turned-police commissioner who quickly became a fan favorite and one of the soap’s most enduring figures.

A Lasting Legacy

Over more than four decades, Rogers’ on-and-off appearances in Port Charles made him a cornerstone of General Hospital.

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Fans adored his wit, charisma, and commanding screen presence, and his colleagues admired his kindness and loyalty.

As his manager reflected, Rogers was not just a television star but “a genuinely loyal, kind human being” — a legacy that lives on in his unforgettable portrayal of Robert Scorpio.