Tristan Rogers passes away at 79

General Hospital star Tristan Rogers dies after a battle with lung cancer.

Tristan Rogers dies at 79 after 45 years on General Hospital

General Hospital actor Tristan Rogers has died at age 79 after a battle with lung cancer. He died on the morning of Friday, August 15, according to his manager, Meryl Soodak. Rogers joined General Hospital in 1980 and played Robert Scorpio for 45 years, with appearances continuing after his diagnosis. His manager noted that Rogers was not a smoker and said his work on the soap meant everything to him. Executive producer Frank Valentini said the General Hospital family is heartbroken and that Rogers was a one of a kind talent. Rogers returned to the show in July to help conclude the story of his on screen daughter Sasha Gilmore.

Outside General Hospital, Rogers appeared on The Young and the Restless and The Bay, and he did voice work including Jake in The Rescuers Down Under. He was born in Melbourne, Australia, and began in soaps such as Bellbird and Number 96 before his long run in Port Charles. He was married twice and had two children. Colleagues shared tributes on social media, praising his kindness, loyalty, and lasting impact on fans.

The death closes a long chapter in a genre that prizes veterans who stay with a single story for decades. It shows how soap operas rely on a steady cast to give viewers a sense of continuity. The show will face the task of honoring history while inviting new stories and talent. Tributes from producers and co stars reveal how deeply a character can shape a world for fans over generations. The industry will watch how General Hospital handles the memory of Rogers in upcoming episodes and how it supports the cast during a difficult time.

Highlights

The show will continue to carry the memories Rogers built into its fabric.