General Hospital Honors Anthony Geary with Heartfelt Luke Spencer Episode

General Hospital Honors Anthony Geary in Special Tribute Episode

January 1, 2026 — ABC’s long-running soap opera General Hospital honored the late actor Anthony Geary with a special tribute less than a month following his passing at the age of 78.

In the January 1 episode, viewers were treated to a rerun of Geary’s final appearance as Luke Spencer, which originally aired on July 27, 2015. This episode marked the conclusion of Geary’s nearly 40-year tenure on the show, making it a poignant moment for fans and cast alike.

“I loved today’s show!!!! ❤️❤️ Thanks, GH,” one viewer expressed on Instagram. Another commented, “I was crying at the end. I normally don’t watch when they put an encore episode on but this was special.”

Anthony Geary joined General Hospital in 1978, initially portraying Bill Eckert. However, it was his iconic role as Luke Spencer that solidified his legacy, culminating in his retirement in 2015.

Gama shared his shock and grief in a statement to TV Insider following Geary’s death. “For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband,” he said. The actor’s passing was attributed to complications following a scheduled operation days earlier.

Following the announcement of Geary’s death, many former colleagues took to social media to share their condolences and memories. John Stamos, who got his start on General Hospital, reminisced about Geary’s kindness: “He made it feel safe. He changed the face of daytime television. And in very real ways, he changed my life.”

Finola Hughes, who played multiple characters on the show, also paid tribute to Geary, reflecting on their time together and praising his contributions to the industry. “Tony. The original. He took my breath away, so magical, creative, fearless,” she wrote.

In his later years, Geary lived a quiet life in Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama. Gama confirmed their marriage had lasted six years, although their relationship spanned three decades.

In closing his remarks about Geary’s legacy, Gama expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support from friends and fans alike. “His love, his life, his art speaks for itself,” he stated. “He always told me everything he did as an actor, as an artist was for his fans. Without your love and support, he would have never reached the heights he did in his career.”

General Hospital continues to air weekdays on ABC.