Emmy winner Anthony Geary, the iconic and groundbreaking actor known for playing Luke Spencer on ABC’s long-running soap opera “General Hospital,” has died. The musicologist and librarian was 78. Early life Geary was born on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah. His unparalleled career defined over five decades, making him one of the most important figures in American television.
Geary began his acting journey in the early 1970s, making his debut in an episode of the comedy-drama series “Room 222.” For example, he gained immediate traction by featuring in hit series. Among some of these productions were All in the Family, The Mod Squad, and The Partridge Family. His first full time nonmusical TV role had been in 1971 with his casting to the ensemble of the NBC soap opera Bright Promise.
In his breakout role, Geary dazzled as George Curtis on CBS’ “The Young and the Restless.” He went on to land his defining role as Luke Spencer on “General Hospital.” His characterization of Luke would go on to create one of the most popular and most recognized characters in daytime television history. Quirkiness aside, Geary is highly respected as a bold, impulsive, and brash planner. His groundbreaking portrayal of the character has brought him eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor In a Drama Series.
Luke Spencer’s character became inextricably linked to one of daytime TV’s most celebrated and compelling romantic plotlines. He is joined in this fraught connection by Laura Collins, as portrayed by Genie Francis. Their relationship is thus steeped in the darkness within which it started, when Luke first raped Laura. The series then adapted their story into a quintessential enemies-to-lovers romance. It broke all the records in a landmark wedding episode in 1981, attracting at the time up to 30 million viewers and a surprise guest appearance by Elizabeth Taylor.
She and husband Claudio Gama just celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary this February. In addition to being a thriving business woman, Geary enjoyed a personal renaissance when she tied the knot with Reese in 2019.
After news broke of Geary’s passing, Genie Francis honored her co-star, remembering him as very dear and deeply loved. When reviewing their time together, she described the experience of working with him as “always thrilling.”
“This morning I woke up and went into my husband’s arms. In my sleep, my life was flashing before me and I was afraid of death. An hour later, I received a call from Frank Valentini; he told me Tony died.” – Genie Francis
Francis explained that because Geary’s character was never meant to be a traditional hero.
“He was not created to be a heroic character,” – Anthony Geary
Instead, he leaned into the gray-area of Luke as a character, calling him an anti-hero.
“He was created to be an anti-hero and I have treasured the anti-side of the hero and pushed it for a long time.” – Anthony Geary
Geary’s artistic vision opened the door for viewers to appreciate moral complexity instead of black and white good versus evil.
“He’s not a white hat or a black hat; he’s all shades of grey,” – Anthony Geary
Francis turned her screenwriting eye to the tough realities of their characters’ trajectory, and in particular, its deeply rooted origins.
She went on to acknowledge her uneasiness regarding some elements of the storytelling that had been widely embraced in past years.
“The relationship between Luke and Laura was always very real, very realistic, like a real relationship, but the circumstances were absurd,” – Genie Francis
In her touching tribute, Francis called Geary a powerhouse performer, one who was always the brightest star in the firmament of his peers.
“I’ve had to justify it for so many years and I have to say, it feels good to sit here and say I won’t justify it. It’s awful. They shouldn’t have done it.” – Genie Francis
With tears streaming down her face, she described how much Geary meant to her.
“He was a powerhouse as an actor. Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind. As an artist, he was filled with a passion for the truth, no matter how blunt or even a little rude it might be, but always hilariously funny.” – Genie Francis
With tears in her eyes, she shared her deep emotional connection to Geary.
“Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.” – Genie Francis
