Actor Tristan Rogers has died at age 79 following a battle with lung cancer.
His manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his passing with ABC7 News, telling the outlet Rogers died Friday morning following a battle with the ailment.
Soodak added his client had never been a smoker.
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital – a role Soodak said ‘meant everything to him.’
While he did not appear on every episode, he still was a long-standing presence on the series with 1461 episodes under his belt.
‘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,’ he said.
Actor Tristan Rogers, pictured L, has died following a battle with lung cancer
Rogers is survived by his wife Teresa Parkerson, their children Sara Jane and Cale, and a grandchild.
Tributes came flooding in on social media, including from the General Hospital family.
The soap’s executive producer Frank Valentini released a statement on the show’s official Instagram account, praising him as a ‘one-of-a-kind talent.’
‘The entire General Hospital family is heartbroken to hear of Tristan Rogers’ passing. Tristan has captivated our fans for more than 50 years and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio),’ he wrote.
‘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.’
Roger’s General Hospital co-star Jon Lindstrom tweeted, ‘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. #FlightOfAngels #Scorpio @GeneralHospital #GH.’
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital; Rogers pictured upper left
Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital – a role Soodak said ‘meant everything to him’; pictured 1981
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