Beloved longtime soap star Tristan Rogers has been diagnosed with cancer, his rep confirmed in a statement shared with Deadline on July 17. The 79-year-old actor, best known for his decades-long portrayal of Robert Scorpio on “General Hospital,” is currently collaborating with his doctors on a treatment plan.
“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,” his rep said.
“As they face both the emotional and physical burdens that come with this diagnosis, the family kindly asks for privacy and understanding.”
Rogers Thanks Fans for Their Support
(Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Caesars)Rogers and his family are feeling the love from fans and friends during this difficult time. “They are deeply grateful for the outpouring of support and love from their friends and family,” the rep continued. “Tristan sends his love to his fans and wants them to know how much he appreciates their loyalty and encouragement over the years. This support means more to him now than ever.”
While the type of cancer has not been specified, the actor is focusing on his health and will provide more updates if appropriate. “Future updates will be shared if deemed appropriate by Tristan and his family,” the rep added.
Rogers’ Beloved Presence in Daytime TV
Actor Tristan Rogers made an unexpected return to “General Hospital” as Robert Scorpio in the July 17 episode—the same day he revealed his cancer diagnosis to the public.
Rogers made his debut on “General Hospital” in 1980 and has since appeared in over 1,400 episodes. His most recent appearance as Robert Scorpio aired in November.
Beyond Port Charles, Rogers also appeared in nearly 200 episodes of “The Young & the Restless” and won a Daytime Emmy in 2020 for his work in the digital series “Studio City.” In a 2018 interview with Soap Opera Digest, the Australian actor spoke about returning to his iconic character after a brief hiatus: “Robert has always had kind of a glib approach to everything,” he said. “He’s a bit of a smart-mouth.”
“I’m working with a lot of different people,” Rogers added, “and I think the fans are going to like it.”
“General Hospital” airs weekdays on ABC, with episodes available to stream anytime on Hulu.
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Beloved ‘General Hospital’ Actor Reveals Cancer Diagnosis