General Hospital Star Dies at 79

Tristan Rogers, a longtime star of ABC's General Hospital, dies at age 79 after battling lung cancer.

General Hospital Star Dies at 79

Tristan Rogers, a longtime star of ABC’s General Hospital, has died at the age of 79 after a battle with lung cancer. He joined General Hospital in 1980 as the adventurous Robert Scorpio and became a fan favorite through several stints over about 45 years. The actor also appeared on The Young and the Restless and did voice work for animated series, broadening a resume that extended beyond Port Charles.

Rogers’ career crossed networks and formats. He played Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless from 2010 to 2019, appearing in about 180 episodes, and his work earned him recognition in Daytime Emmy circles. His final General Hospital appearances came in July during a guest run, underscoring a lasting connection with the show and its audience.

Rogers’ passing marks the end of a longtime era for daytime television, where a single character could anchor a show's identity for decades. His tenure as Robert Scorpio helped anchor General Hospital’s sense of adventure and nostalgia, a reminder of how soap operas built intimate, ongoing relationships with viewers.

The industry now faces a shift as audiences diversify and streaming changes viewing habits. Rogers’ career, which spanned multiple series and even a spinoff, illustrates the value of enduring talent who can adapt to different formats while keeping a character’s heart intact. Obituaries like this prompt reflection on how soap creators preserve legacy while fostering new generations of performers.

Highlights

The memory of a beloved performer endures in the stories his fans keep telling.