SAD NEW! Tristan Rogers ‘General Hospital’ star, dies at 79 – GH and The Young and the Restless Fans Mourn Loss!
Tristan Rogers has died. The Australian-American actor was 79 years old. He was best known for playing Robert Scorpio on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and for voicing Jake in Walt Disney Pictures’ The Rescuers Down Under. He also portrayed Colin Atkinson on The Young and the Restless.
Rest in Peace, Tristan Rogers
His longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed he passed away Friday morning from lung cancer, ABC 7 reported. Despite the diagnosis, Soodak noted Rogers had never been a smoker. Earlier this summer, Rogers announced his cancer diagnosis.
Role of a Lifetime
Soodak said the role of Robert Scorpio “meant everything to him,” recalling how Rogers transformed what was meant to be a one-day part into one of daytime television’s most enduring characters. “He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing,” she shared, adding that he was “a genuinely loyal, kind human being” who cherished his family.
Rogers’ portrayal of the suave and sharp-witted Scorpio began in 1980, quickly earning him a place in soap opera history. His character became intertwined with GH’s legendary Luke (Anthony Geary) and Laura (Genie Francis) storyline, which culminated in the 1981 wedding that drew 30 million viewers—still the most-watched hour in American soap opera history.
Over the next four decades, Rogers returned to GH numerous times, with his absences often written as Scorpio’s mysterious disappearances or presumed deaths. His storylines brought him back to Port Charles for pivotal moments, including family crises, high-stakes investigations, and heartfelt reunions. He recently appeared on the ABC soap opera.
Fans also knew him from his role as Colin Atkinson on Y&R, where he brought the same charisma and edge that defined his career.
Expansive Resume
Beyond daytime television, Rogers had an expansive résumé. He appeared in Australian dramas, British films in the 1970s, and voiced Jake the kangaroo mouse in Disney’s The Rescuers Down Under. His more recent work included The Bay and Studio City, the latter earning him a Daytime Emmy Award in 2020.
Born in Melbourne, Rogers began acting on Australian television before finding international fame in the United States. He is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, their two children, and a grandchild.
For fans, Robert Scorpio was more than just a character—he was a fixture in Port Charles and in the hearts of viewers. Rogers’ charm, intensity, and dedication to his craft leave a legacy that will continue to resonate with audiences for years to come..
The actor’s role on “General Hospital” “meant everything to him,” his manager said. “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.”
Rogers portrayed Scorpio on the soap opera intermittently over the course of 45 years.
He is survived by his wife, two children and a grandchild.
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