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 scratch. Though initially slated for just one day, he transformed it into something monumental. He was truly a loyal and kind-hearted individual, cherishing his family dearly,’ he expressed.

Actor Tristan Rogers, pictured L, has died following a battle with lung cancer

Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital – a role Soodak said ‘meant everything to him’; pictured 1981

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.

Frank Valentini, the soap’s executive producer, shared a message on the show’s official Instagram, applauding him as a ‘unique talent.’

‘The entire General Hospital family is devastated to learn of Tristan Rogers’ passing. For over 50 years, Tristan has fascinated our audience, and Port Charles will never be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio),’ he stated.

‘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.’

Rogers was born in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia on June 3, 1946, and his resume boasts a long list of roles on iconic shows.

Since 1980, Rogers had been portraying Robert Scorpio on General Hospital; Rogers pictured upper left 

Rogers on a 1982 episode of General Hospital

In addition to General Hospital, Rogers’ soap experience includes playing Colin Atkinson The Young and the Restless and Hunter Jones, P.I. on The Bold and the Beautiful.

He also reprised his role for the spin-off, General Hospital: Night Shift, which followed his on-screen daughter Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough). 

Tristan was only supposed to be General Hospital to ‘beat up the hero’, but his role was extended after impressing the show’s executive producer, the late Gloria Monty.

His agent pitched the part to him as a ‘two day role’, and Tristan was unaware at the time of just how popular the show was when he went in to audition. 

‘I was brought in, I had no name, I was brought in expressly to beat up the hero, Luke, and then disappear,’ he said in a 2022 interview with State Of Mind with Maurice Benard. 

‘So the half day goes by and I get summoned into Gloria’s office, and she said, “We really like what you’re doing, would you like to stay?”‘

Tristan’s resume includes roles in Walker, Texas Ranger, Tales from the Crypt, The Love Boat, The Sullivans, The Agency, Studio City, and The Bay.

He’s also lent his voice to numerous animated productions, including The Wild Thornberrys, Batman Beyond, and Aaahh!!! Real Monsters.