Tristan Rogers, known for his long-running role as Robert Scorpio on ABC’s “General Hospital,” passed away on Friday at the age of 79, less than a month after making a special appearance on the show.
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of “General Hospital,” expressed deep sorrow over Rogers’ death, stating, “The entire ‘General Hospital’ family is heartbroken. Tristan has captivated fans for 45 years, and Port Charles will never be the same without him or Robert Scorpio.”
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rogers began his career in his early twenties as a drummer in a rock band. When the band didn’t find success, he turned to commercial work and modeling to support himself. After the band dissolved, he decided to pursue acting. He took on various roles in Australia and also worked as a DJ before relocating to Los Angeles to pursue Hollywood opportunities. Initially, casting directors hesitated because of his accent, but Rogers eventually landed a two-day role on “General Hospital” in 1980.
Reflecting on his early days on the show in a 2022 interview with fellow actor Maurice Benard, Rogers said, “I had no idea how big the show was. I was brought in to beat up the hero, Luke, and then disappear.” However, on his first day, then-executive producer Gloria Monty invited him to stay longer. Without a set character, Rogers was asked to appear in scenes looking suspicious until the writers developed a storyline. He was cast as a spy named “CK8,” which later became Robert Scorpio—a character that became a staple in the series for decades.
Scorpio’s romantic relationships, particularly his on-again/off-again love with Holly Sutton (played by Emma Samms), remained fan favorites. He also had a significant storyline with another spy, Anna Devane (Finola Hughes), with whom he shared a daughter, Robin (Kimberly McCullough). Holly Sutton returned briefly to the show in late 2024, revealing that Scorpio was the father of her adult daughter, Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattson).
Rogers and Samms exited the show together in November 2024, with their farewell scenes paying homage to the classic film “Casablanca.” He made a one-episode return in July when Sasha visited his home in France with her baby, during which it was revealed that Rogers’ character had lung cancer.
Aside from “General Hospital,” Rogers appeared in other TV shows including “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “The Young & the Restless,” and “Studio City,” for which he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama Series. He is survived by his wife Teresa Parkerson, a daughter, and a son.
