Tristan Rogers Dies: ‘General Hospital’ Star Was 79
General Hospital star Tristan Rogers has died at the age of 79, ABC7 reports. The actor succumbed to complications from lung cancer. He died on the morning of Friday, August 15.
His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed the news to the publication, noting that despite his illness, Rogers was not a smoker.
In a statement, the manager said has his work on General Hospital “meant everything to him.”
“He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing. 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,” the statement read.
General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini said in a statement about the news, “The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years, and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio). I would like to extend my deepest sympathies to his family and friends during this difficult time. Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed. May he rest in peace.”
Rogers starred as Robert Scorpio on the soap since joining in 1980 and continued to make appearances on the soap opera throughout the 45 years since, including after his diagnosis.
In July, he made a surprise appearance on the show to help conclude the story of his on-screen daughter, Sofia Mattsson’s Sasha Gilmore. Of his return, Mattsson told TV Insider, he was “lovely to work with and very sweet in real life.”
Of her chance to work with the actor amid his illness, she said, “It was special that [my final scenes] were with Tristan.”
A spokesperson for the actor at the time said of his diagnosis, which was revealed in July 2025, “While he remains hopeful and is working closely with his medical team on a treatment plan, this is a challenging time for Tristan and his family. As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding. They are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their friends and family.”
For his work, Rogers was nominated for multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards and won two Soapy Awards. He was also recognized for his work in The Bay and Studio City, as well as his stint as Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless. He was also known for his voice role as Jake in The Rescuers Down Under and did commercial voiceover work for brands like Outback Steakhouse, Foster’s, Reebook, and Epson, as well as the 2015 video game Mad Max.
Rogers was born in Melbourne, Australia, and got his start in soap operas like Bellbird, Number 96 and The Box. He was married to Barbara Meale from 1974 to 1984 before marrying Teresa Parkerson in 1995. Together, he and Parkerson had two children, daughter Sara Jane and son Cale.
Following the news of his death, costar Kimberly McCullough, who played on-screen daughter Robin, shared a photo of the two with the caption, “Trissy forever.”
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Also, fellow General Hospital star Jon Lindstrom shared a tribute to the actor on social media, writing, “I know the sadness I feel at this news is shared by so many of you. #TristanRogers was one of the coolest, funniest people I ever met. Whenever we were together, which wasn’t nearly often enough, we never missed a chance to try to crack the other one up. I wish I’d had more of those chances. R.I.P.”
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R
Tristan Rogers what a wonderful actor God blessed us with him. He was a joy to behold rest in peace, always, and forever. God bless the family. Amen.🙏🧎🏼❤️
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My favorite actor in a soap opera he was so talented. My belief is we gone on in paradise with no illness anymore at all. Somewhat a comfort.
Tristen will be missed tremendously it’s sad to think he is gone from this plain.
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P
And he was good looking af. This breaks my heart ❤️
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O
Really gonna miss him. Robert Scopio was one of the best spies of the WSB. RIP Tristen. Love you!!
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C
So sad. Tristan will be missed 🥲 may he rest in peace. Condolences to his family and friends 🙏💔
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O
So Sorry About His Death, I Am Glad That I Was Able To See Him On GH One Last Time Right Before He Passed Away.. He Was A Great Actor.. I Loved His Accent. 🤩❤️❤️🙏🙏🙏
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So many ppl passing
This actor didn’t even smoke yet he passed from lung cancer
It was that vaccine mandate that killed so many ppl
So sickening hope you stupid GH directives that were forcing your actor’s to take the poison pay one day at each of your judgement days
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R
Really going to miss him. Great actor and very talented. Rest in peace.
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C
I named one of my twins after him. Loved him so much on GH.
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O
Very sad for his family and friends and all of us who loved his character . He certainly will be greatly missed.
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C
Sorry to hear that , loved watching Robert on GH
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What an amazing actor and a tragic loss. I grew up watching the show with my mom and still have the drawing I made of his cool apartment in the 80’s I think. I don’t have that house yet, but one day….!
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G
Rest in Heavenly Peace Tristen ✌️ 🙏
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B
Sad year 2025 is turning out to be a year of sadness and hurt..ri.p. Tristan Roger's/Robert Scorpio..you will be missed. I know 2025 is filled with sadness and hurt cause I lost both of my parents this year my dad passed away in January and my beautiful mom passed away 💐. On April 6th,And my sisters and I are still hurting. And now a great actor Tristan Roger's General Hospital will never be the same.
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Tristan Rogers was a wonderful actor and will be missed by all. Love and prayers go out to his family
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O
I am so sad to hear this awful news.We all had heard he was diagnosed & battling cancer.Then he surprised us all with his last appearance on GH with Sasha. When he opened his door to Sasha & Jason with his trademark huge smile he looked so frail & sickly I feel he did it as a fair well to his fans.When I saw that scene I remember thinking he didn’t have much time left. I am so sorry to have been right. He’s left a wonderful legacy and will always be remembered on GH. That’s the one thing GH does… they don’t forget their legacy characters. Thanks for the memories & your contributions to the soap world . RIP
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So sorry for his family. He brought humanity into his characters.
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I’ve loved him since I was 11. I swore I as going to marry him and move to Australia. My heart is saddened. I know he’s in a better place. May peace be with hlm. Until we meet again
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A very passionate man and actor with so much kindness in his heart. Bless you,Tristan! 🙏 🙏
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Robert Scorpio always had a mischievous twinkle in his eye that made me think Tristan Rogers must be a great guy. Condolences to his loved ones.
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I used to watch the soap operas when I was younger and I would rush home from Junior High School so I could watch General Hospital. I’m 72 now and am so sad to hear that Tristan Roger’s passed away. Loved his acting and I’d like to say to his family that I send my condolences as well as. his General Hospital family. I know he will be missed. Rest In Peace Tristan Roger’s. 🙏🏻🙏🏻😢😢
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B
Robert Scorpio was always one of my favorites on the show. It was great to see him, though so briefly, in his final appearance, not long ago. I will miss him and his character.
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G
I watched him portray Robert Scorpio for decades and loved the character... it was great that he was on once more with Sasha and her baby... it was like he had a happy storyline for his swan song!
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I'm so saddened to hear this news tonight. I've watched Tristan play Robert Scorpio since 1980 & I've loved every single scene over these past 45yrs. He will be remember always & insanely missed!!!! My prayers go out to his loved ones. You're a legend, Tristan Rogers. R.I.P. ❤️
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L
I remember when he first came on the scene....R.I.P Tristan
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C
So sorry to hear of Tristan passing on, rest in peace sweet man. You will definitely be missed.
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B
This makes me so sad He will be miss I started watching from day one
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Great memories of Robert and Luke!
God bless the family
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Yes, please bring Luke back for a couple of episodes. Will miss Robert. I have watched him since he first came on to the show. And I have watched GH since day one. I think I was ten when it started. Watch it everyday. Would not miss it. If I can not be home when it is on, I tape it.
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Very sorry to hear this, Scorpio was a cool character. My condolences to his loved ones.
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I so enjoyed him on the Young and the Restless. A very talented actor. RIP
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G
Rest in Peace, you will be missed. Prayers to family and friends . GH has lost a lot this yr . I have watched you over the yrs great character and great human being.
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G
Somewhere I think foundations are shaking at the thought of his passing. I really hoped he would come back to GH for a longer time. Loved he years in the 80s—the excitement, the novelty of the accent, and his kind personality shone through the part. It’s a sad day, and a lost connection to 45 years of GH. RIP, and wish his family well.
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Breaks my heart.
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RIP Tristan
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Tristin, you'll be miss love watching you onGH.Watch you the very first time you started on the show.May God be with your family at this sad time.R.I.P🙏🙏🙏🙏
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My very first soap opera crush back in the 80s, when I was but a young teen! Thank you for the wonderful memories & for sharing your one-of-a-kind talent with us, Tristan! RIP ❤️🙏
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💔
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Breaks my heart. Loved him with ‘Holly’.
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G
OMG!!! He was an icon. He was General Hospital. It will not be the same!!! I was so fortune to get to see him at Supersoap weekend. It was a surprise and I was so excited. Loved when he came back on GH. Oh my. You will surely be missed.
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This is devastating news, yet sadly, not unexpected. He did great work for so many years. May God be with his family and long time friends as he has taken his journey to his heavenly home.
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