General Hospital legend Tristan Rogers revealed he is battling cancer. The veteran actor’s friend and publicist, Anthony Turk, announced the news in a press release, obtained by Soap Opera Digest. Rogers, 79, is best known for his roles in the Young and the Restless as well as General Hospital. “Beloved Emmy-winning actor Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio on the daytime drama, General Hospital, is sharing with fans that he has been diagnosed with cancer,” Turk began. He continued: ‘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.’
The star’s representative kindly requested “privacy and understanding” as Rogers and his family face “the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis”. “They are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their friends and family. Tristan sends his love to his fans and wants them to know how much he appreciates their loyalty and encouragement over the years,” Turk concluded. “This support means more to him now than ever.”
Tributes have since poured in from the actor’s legion of fans as one wrote: “Heartbreakingly devastating news. #TristanRogers brought #RobertScorpio into our living rooms and made us fall in love. Prayers along with positive vibes being sent his way.”
Another penned: “Sending prayers his way. We miss and adore him.”
“Definitely keeping Tristan in my prayers. The show has already lost so many veteran actors over the past few years,” a third remarked.
Veteran actor is best known as Robert Scorpio on General Hospital, a role he created in 1980, but also for playing Colin on Young and Restless, Hunter on Bold and Beautiful, and Doc on Studio City, a performance which earned him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Performance by a Supporting Actor in a Digital Drama Series.
He last made an appearance on the show when the character left town with his ex-wife, Holly Sutton.
He has portrayed the character since 1980, and most recently, reprised his role on the series last year.
In 2018, he raved about returning to his beloved role and playing Robert, who he described as always having “kind of a glib approach to everything”.
“He’s a bit of a smart-mouth,” Rogers told Soap Opera Digest, at the time, of his character. “I’m working with a lot of different people … And I think the fans are going to like it.”