Tristan Rogers, who performed legacy character Robert Scorpio on ABC’s “Normal Hospital,” died Friday, lower than one month after he made a particular look on the cleaning soap opera. He was 79.
“All the ‘Normal Hospital’ household is heartbroken to listen to of Tristan Rogers’ passing,” stated Frank Valentini, the present’s govt producer, in a press release. “Tristan has captivated our followers for 45 years and Port Charles is not going to be the identical with out him (or Robert Scorpio).”
Born in Melbourne, Australia, Rogers’ first foray into performing was in his early twenties and taking part in drums in a rock band with a gaggle of pals. They weren’t profitable so Rogers turned to industrial work and modeling to earn some cash. When the band dissolved, Rogers determined to offer appearing a attempt. After numerous roles in Australia, he additionally labored as a DJ and finally moved to Los Angeles to attempt to break into Hollywood. He stated casting administrators have been initially turned off by his accent however he finally landed a two-day position on “Normal Hospital” in 1980.
“I had no thought on the level how large the present was,” Rogers instructed fellow “Normal Hospital” actor Maurice Benard on the YouTube present, “State of Thoughts with Maurice Benard” in 2022.
“I had no identify. I used to be introduced in expressly to beat up the hero, Luke, (performed by Anthony Geary), after which disappear,” Rogers stated. His first day was half-over when then-executive producer Gloria Monty requested if he wish to keep on. That they had no character written for him so for 3 weeks Monty requested him to simply seem in scenes “trying furtive, trying suspicious” till they got here up with a storyline. It was determined he would play a spy generally known as “CK8” and finally he was given the identify Robert Scorpio. The character would stay a fixture in Port Charles for the remainder of Rogers’ life, even when he wasn’t a present forged member.
Scorpio’s on once more/off once more romance with Emma Samms’ character, Holly Sutton, remained a favourite amongst followers. Scorpio additionally had a romance, and lots of storylines with one other spy, Anna Devane, performed by Finola Hughes. Scorpio and Devane shared a daughter, Robin, performed by Kimberly McCullough. Samms returned to the present for a stint final fall the place it was revealed that Scorpio was the daddy of her grownup daughter, Sasha Gilmore (performed by Sofia Mattson.)
Rogers and Samms left the present collectively in November 2024 in scenes taped with a nod to “Casablanca.” He returned to the present in July for one episode when Sasha arrived to his house in France together with her new child. It was then revealed that Rogers had lung most cancers
Rogers’ different appearing credit embody “The Daring and the Lovely,” “The Younger & the Stressed” and “Studio Metropolis,” which gained him excellent supporting actor in a digital drama sequence on the Daytime Emmy Awards. He’s survived by his spouse, Teresa Parkerson, and a daughter and a son.
