Anthony Geary: From Soap Star to Daytime Icon
“I was sort of her boy toy for a couple of years,” Anthony Geary revealed to Wendy Williams in 2010.
The actor, best known for his role as Luke Spencer on General Hospital, passed away on December 14, 2025, in Amsterdam. Across 78 remarkable years, Geary built a dazzling legacy. His career spanned unforgettable performances, record-breaking television moments, and a personal life filled with quiet glamour—including a long-hidden romance with a Hollywood legend.
A family member confirmed his death to TMZ. While an official cause hasn’t been released, reports suggest complications following a planned surgery. Regardless, his life remains unforgettable.
From Small-Town Roots to Big Dreams
Born Tony Dean Geary on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah, a quiet town of just 800 residents, Geary’s beginnings were humble. Raised by Mormon parents alongside three sisters, his childhood emphasized responsibility. Yet, he felt the stage calling from an early age.
Excelling academically, he earned a prestigious Presidential Award scholarship for theater and studied at the University of Utah. Actor Jack Albertson noticed him in a performance and cast him in The Subject Was Roses, which toured Hawaii before settling in Los Angeles.
Anthony Geary, Jackie Zeman, Joe Behar, and Kin Shriner behind the scenes of “General Hospital” in Los Angeles, California, 2002 | Source: Getty Images
Chasing the Spotlight in Los Angeles
In the 1960s, Geary moved to LA. He balanced stage roles with department store jobs to support himself. He changed his professional name from Tony to Anthony, believing it carried more weight
By the 1970s, he appeared in over 50 stage productions, including The Wild Duck, Jesus Christ Superstar, and Antony and Cleopatra. He also gained recurring TV roles in hits like All in the Family, The Partridge Family, and Marcus Welby, M.D.
The Birth of Luke Spencer
Geary’s big break came when producer Gloria Monty cast him in a new soap role. Initially auditioning for Mitch Williams, the fit wasn’t right. Monty asked head writer Douglas Marland to create a role just for him: Luke Spencer.
Debuting on November 20, 1978, Spencer was meant to stir drama for 13 weeks. Instead, viewers were captivated by Geary’s charm and depth. His portrayal transformed Spencer into one of daytime television’s most iconic antiheroes.
A Dangerous Charm
Luke Spencer wasn’t a typical soap hero. Bold, flawed, and complex, he captivated audiences. Geary described him as an “antihero”—someone who did the wrong things for the right reasons.
The character earned Geary his first Daytime Emmy in 1982, along with multiple Soap Opera Digest Awards. Fans adored Spencer and Laura Webber, whose 1981 wedding drew 30 million viewers.
Anthony Geary and his husband Claudio Gama sitting on a sofa in their home in Amsterdam, from a post dated September 23, 2025 | Source: Instagram/claudiogama_71
Hollywood Secrets Revealed
Geary later revealed a secret romance with Elizabeth Taylor. For years, he kept it private out of respect. “I was sort of her boy toy for a couple of years,” he admitted. Geary emphasized that he cherished Taylor and remained fond of her throughout her life.
He also addressed tabloid rumors, calling claims about diva-like demands on the General Hospital set “ridiculous.” According to Geary, Taylor simply loved the soap’s melodrama, which reminded her of her younger Hollywood days.
A Life and Love Abroad
Though Geary left General Hospital in 1983, he returned several times. He explored prime-time roles but always returned to Port Charles. By 2015, he retired to Amsterdam with his husband, Claudio Gama. The couple shared over 30 years together, living quietly with their beloved cat, Max.
Geary reflected on his life in a 2023 interview:
“I live in the city I’ve always wanted, with someone who loves me. I didn’t have this before, no matter the fan letters or Emmys. Now, I have a life worth living.”
A Legacy Remembered
Anthony Geary leaves behind a legacy of unforgettable performances, groundbreaking television, and a life lived fully both in the spotlight and in private.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Claudio Gama and everyone who loved this extraordinary actor.
