UPDATED with latest reactions: Genie Francis, who played General Hospital‘s Laura to Anthony Geary‘s Luke as one of the great supercouple’s in soap opera history, recalled her former co-star in an emotional post on X.
“He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life,” Francis writes in a four-part response to today’s news that Geary died Sunday in Amsterdam. “I am crushed, I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner. Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night sweet prince, good night.”
Francis noted that she “felt his life end” in her sleep last night.
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See the entire post below, along with tributes from former co-stars John Stamos, Sarah Joy Brown, Ian Buchanan and others.
GH star Maurice Benard also paid homage, writing on X, “What can I say thats not been said? Two things about Tony. He was one of the funniest people I knew. I saw Tony in a one man play and I said it then and I’ll say it now I never saw better acting in my life. I owe a lot to Tony. Daytime wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for luke/Laura.”
Geary joined GH in 1978 as hitman Luke Spencer and was soon paired with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber. The storyline proved immensely popular, setting a 1970s standard for the so-called supercouple phenomenon. The characters’ romance also spurred controversy when Luke raped Laura, with Laura later forgiving him and maintaining their relationship.
Also today, another former GH star, Emma Samms, who played the show’s Holly Sutton from 1982 to 1985, recalled Geary, writing, “My heart was already breaking about the Rob Reiner news.. but now…” followed by a broken heart emoji.
Frank Valentini, GH executive producer, wrote in a two-part post on X, “The entire #GeneralHospital family is heartbroken over the news of Tony Geary’s passing. Tony was a brilliant actor and set the bar that we continue to strive for.
“His legacy,” Valentini continued, “and that of Luke Spencer’s, will live on through the generations of #GH cast members who have followed in his footsteps. We send our sincerest sympathies to his husband, Claudio, family, and friends. May he rest in peace.”
In another statement, Rachel Schwartz, Head of Daytime / Children’s & Family Emmys for the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, who administers the Daytime Emmy Awards, said of the eight-time winner Geary, “Our condolences are with our friends at ‘General Hospital’ on the passing of Anthony Geary, who won a record-breaking eight Emmys in the Lead Actor category. As one half of the power couple ‘Luke and Laura,’ their popularity brought daytime television into the zeitgeist and created one of the genre’s most beloved super-couples. Our sympathies are with his family, colleagues, and loved ones.”
Omg this makes me so sad 😥 I used to run home from school to catch the last 1/2hour of General Hospital , to see Luke and Laura , I still watch GH to this day and I will never forget him .😥 RIP Anthony you are one of a kind. My Heart Breaks right now 😔
May He Rest in peace.
He was my fav Soap star! GH wasn’t the same without him.
RIP ANTHONY GEARY. YOU WILL BE MISS TERRIBLY. I WATCHED YOU ON GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR UEARS. I LOVED YOU. MY HEART IS BROKEN.
Tony Geary as Luke was. The best. He and Genie (Laura) acted so perfectly. May his soul rest in peace. I always hoped he would return to GH.
Started watching General Hospital at an early age of 16 with my mother still watching 56yrs later and always will
Anthony Geary has always been a very exceptional,professional,actor that I adore he’s part of my life ❤️ I cried like a baby,he was part of my family
May he rest 🙏 in peace, My condolences to his husband and family,
And his General Hospital Family
I grew up watching general hospital luke was my guy he will be truly missed I really loved him from the 💜 may God comfort his family give them peace and continue to 🙏. My condolences goes out to the family.