General Hospital’s Genie Francis Pays a Heartbreaking Farewell to Anthony Geary
The world of daytime television is mourning the loss of a true legend. Fans of General Hospital were left shocked and heartbroken by the news of Anthony Geary’s passing, a moment made even more poignant by the deeply emotional tribute shared by his longtime co-star and on-screen partner, Genie Francis.
Anthony Geary was not just a central figure on General Hospital—he was synonymous with the very identity of daytime drama. His portrayal of Luke Spencer reshaped the genre and helped usher in a golden era of soap operas. Alongside Genie Francis’s Laura Webber, Geary created one of the most iconic romances television has ever seen. Luke and Laura’s love story captivated millions, culminating in their legendary wedding episode in the early 1980s, which remains the highest-rated soap opera episode in daytime television history. Nothing before it—or since—has ever come close.
Few people understood the depth of Geary’s impact more intimately than Genie Francis. That became heartbreakingly clear when she shared how she learned of his death. In a series of emotional posts, Francis revealed that she experienced a profound and unsettling moment the very night before she received the news.
According to Francis, she awoke that morning and instinctively reached for her husband’s arms. In her sleep, she had felt her life flashing before her, overwhelmed by fear and an inexplicable sense of loss. About an hour later, she received a call from General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini, who told her that Anthony Geary had died.
The realization hit her instantly and deeply. Francis admitted feeling remorse that they had not spoken in years, yet she was convinced that she had somehow felt his life leave during the night. With his passing, she said, a part of her own life ended as well.
Francis went on to describe Geary as a true powerhouse of an actor—someone who stood shoulder to shoulder with the greats. In her words, no star ever burned brighter than Anthony Geary. He was entirely one of a kind. As an artist, he was fearless in his pursuit of truth, unafraid to be blunt or even a little rude if honesty demanded it. Yet that sharp edge was always paired with a wicked sense of humor that made him impossible not to love.
Geary embodied the ultimate anti-hero—irreverent, unpredictable, and endlessly compelling. Even the most conservative viewers couldn’t help but smile when he was on screen. Working with him, Francis recalled, was always exciting. You never quite knew what might happen next, and that unpredictability made every scene electric.
Over the decades, Luke and Laura broke apart and found their way back to each other countless times, mirroring the complexities of real love and life. While their story evolved, the memories and moments they created together remained timeless. For Francis, those shared scenes and stories are treasures she will carry forever.
In her final, devastatingly tender message, Francis wrote that Geary spoiled her for leading men for the rest of her career. She confessed that she is crushed by his loss but eternally grateful for the chance to have been his partner. Somehow, she believes, they remain connected—because she felt him leave. She ended her farewell with words that resonated deeply with fans around the world: “Good night, sweet prince. Good night.”
There are few words that can match the honesty and beauty of Genie Francis’s tribute. As the General Hospital family and viewers everywhere say goodbye, hearts go out to Francis and all of Anthony Geary’s loved ones during this time of profound loss. His legacy, both on and off the screen, will never be forgotten.
