Tristan Rogers, a prolific star with a decades-long career in show business, best known for his longtime role as the fan-favorite Robert Scorpio onABC’s daytime soap operaGeneral Hospital, died on Friday morning at the age of 79. The announcement was made by his manager,Meryl Soodak, whoreported to ABC/7that he had passed away after a battle with lung cancer. Rogers had only just been diagnosed back in July, though his manager noted that he wasn’t a smoker.
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rogers began his career in his home country with a role in the television seriesDeltain 1967 before becoming a presencein the world of soap operaswith turns inBellbird,Number 96, andThe Box, the latter of which he spent 119 episodes on. His early career also featured a main role onLink Menand spots onThe SullivansandPower Without Glory, among other brief appearances on-screen. It wasn’t until 1980 that he finally crossed the ocean to the United States andlanded in Port Charles. That year began his first decade-long run as Scorpio, the adventurous Australian friend of Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary).
Rogers would play Scorpio on and off over the course of 45 years,last appearing on the show back in July. He was thelarger-than-life super spyofGeneral Hospital, with a life full of thrilling adventures and service, either for agencies or as the police commissioner of Port Charles. During his time on the series, he also frequently dabbled in romance, including withDemi Moore’s Jackie Templeton. His high life was interrupted in 1992, when Scorpio was believed to have died, though reports of his demise were greatly exaggerated. Time and again, he would reappear in Port Charles to get involved in the drama once again, remaining a constant presence that defined the show, even if his only Daytime Emmy win was instead forStudio City. “He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing,” Soodak said about the star in an official statement to ABC/7. “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' Talents Went Beyond ‘General Hospital’
After garnering fame withGeneral Hospital, other daytime shows would come calling, includingThe Young and the RestlessandThe Bold and the Beautiful. However, Rogers also had a knack for voice acting, lending his services to the likes ofAaahh!!! Real MonstersandCaptain Planet and the Planeteers. He most notably played the charismatic hopping mouse Jake in the star-studded classic,The Rescuers Down Under, acting as a confident and capable guide to Bernard (Bob Newhart) and Miss Bianca (Eva Gabor) in their adventure, and trying to put the moves on the latter. It cemented his status as a smooth and immensely talented actor with plenty of Australian charm.
Rogers is survived by a wife, two children, and a grandchild. Our condolences go out to his friends and family at this time.
