Australian actor Tristan Rogers, best known for playing Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, has died at the age of 79. His longtime manager Meryl Soodak confirmed it to local news on Friday.
Rogers first came to the soap back in 1980. He was only supposed to be there for a short time but he ended up staying for decades and fans never forgot him. In July it was revealed that he had lung cancer even though he was not a smoker.
Soodak said: “Portraying Robert Scorpio meant everything to him.” She explained that the role was not just another job, it was the part that really defined him and shaped his career.
She added: “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.”
Rogers was born in Melbourne, Australia, on June 3, 1946. He acted in his home country for years before moving to the United States in the late 1970s to try for bigger opportunities, and he made that happen.
When he first showed up on General Hospital in 1980 he quickly became a favorite. The character of Robert Scorpio had sharp wit and a cool style that clicked with people, and it carried him through some of the show’s most remembered times. He came back to the role more than once over the years which only made the character even more lasting.
Outside of General Hospital he never stopped working. Rogers was in movies like Delirious in 1991 and Night Eyes 3 in 1993, and he also showed up on The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, and The Young and the Restless.
He even added voice work in games and cartoons, including parts in Mortal Kombat projects during the 1990s and 2000s.
May he rest in peace.
