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Anthony Geary, who played Luke Spencer on “General Hospital,” has died. He was 78.
The soap star passed away Sunday in Amsterdam, a family member confirmed to TMZ.
Geary died of complications from a scheduled operation three days earlier, according to TV Insider.
“It was a shock for me and our families and our friends,” his husband, Claudio Gama, told the outlet. “For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, which administers the Daytime Emmy Awards, told The Post in a statement: “Our condolences are with our friends at ‘General Hospital’ on the passing of Anthony Geary, who won a record-breaking 8 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.”
Geary was born in Coalville, Utah, on May 29, 1947.
He made his TV debut on an episode of “Room 222” in 1970, before appearing in “All in the Family” and “The Partridge Family.”
Geary’s first role in a soap series was as David Lockhart in “Bright Promise” from 1971 to 1972. He then went on to star as George Curtis, a rapist, in “The Young and the Restless” in 1973.
In 1978, Geary began his starring role in “General Hospital” which won him a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama.
His character Luke’s romance with Genie Francis’ Laura Webber was widely popular. Luke and Laura’s 1980 wedding episode was watched by over 30 million viewers and featured Elizabeth Taylor as evil socialite Helena Cassadine.
Geary left the series in 1983 but returned in 1991 as Luke’s look-alike cousin, Bill Eckert. He resumed playing Luke again in 1993 until his final episode as a series regular that aired July 27, 2015.
“This show has been a huge part of my life for over half my life, and Luke Spencer is my alter ego,” Geary told TV Line in May 2015.
“I’m just weary of the grind and have been for 20 years. There was a point after my back surgery last year where it became clear to me that my time is not infinite. And I really don’t want to die, collapsing in a heap, on that ‘G.H.’ set one day. That wouldn’t be too poetic,” he added.
The actor said, “Genie and I agreed several years ago that the love of Luke and Laura had run its course. They have children together and a very storied history, and there’s definitely still love there, but I think they’re toxic to each other at this point.”
Geary returned to the series for the final time as Luke in May 2017 for Jane Elliot’s final episode as Tracy Quartermaine. Luke was later killed off-screen in 2022.
In film, Geary appeared in “Pass the Ammo,” “Teacher’s Pet,” “Fish Tank” and “Carpool Guy.”