Tristan Rogers
Tristan Rogers, a star of “General Hospital” for 45 years, passed away Aug. 15 at 79. A spokesman said he suffered from lung cancer.
What a loss. He was so beloved in our soap world.
Rogers, who was from Australia, played charming and jovial superspy Robert Scorpio, the best friend of Anthony Geary’s Luke. According to what is now soap opera legend, he was hired initially in 1980 for a one-day appearance and was invited to stay by then executive producer Gloria Monty. The steady gig became a life-long commitment.
He also appeared on “The Young and the Restless” in 2010 as Colin Atkinson and on “The Bay” as Police Commissioner Lex Martin. But he is best known for his enduring work on “GH.”
To soap fans, he was like family. To those of us in the soap press, he was a continuing story we were happy to cover as we followed his character’s romances, friendships, adventures, departures, and reappearances. He was always a delight to watch. By all accounts, his colleagues found him a delight to work with as well.
We all have our own Tristan Rogers memories. Mine began two months after his first “GH” appearance when I was editor of Afternoon TV magazine. He was on my first cover, introduced with the coverline “Scorpio’s Seductive Sting.” The line was written by my career godmother, the late fan magazine editor Seli Groves.
Rogers’ Scorpio played an enchanting ongoing role in Monty’s “GH,” a golden era in the show’s history. How fortunate I was to launch my own career in soap journalism during that era.
As Luke’s best friend, Robert was the best man at Luke and Laura’s fabled wedding. Soon Robert was involved with romances of his own, first with Anna Devane (Finola Hughes) and later with Holly (Emma Samms). Robert was the father of Robin (Kimberly McCollough), who grew up before our eyes, only to test HIV Positive.
Rogers great charm and jovial personality made him a soap superstar. Throughout his many years on “GH,” the audience adored him. On his last appearance several months ago, he played the father of Sasha Gilmore (Sofia Mattson) who was leaving Port Charles to protect her baby daughter Daisy.
As a tribute to Robert, who like Tristan was from Australia, “GH” named his granddaughter Emma’s new beagle dog Outback. Like all good soap opera stories, this one will go on: Rocco has since adopted the dog because Grandma Anna’s building doesn’t accept dogs.
But “GH” fans will long remember the endearing Robert Scorpio and the wonderful actor who played him. What a terrible loss.
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