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Finola Hughes Pays Heartfelt Tribute to Late General Hospital Co-Star Anthony Geary
For longtime General Hospital fans, the legacy of Port Charles is built not only on unforgettable storylines, but on the deep bonds formed behind the scenes. That sentiment was powerfully echoed this week as Finola Hughes, who has portrayed the iconic Anna Devane for decades, paid a moving tribute to her late co-star Anthony Geary, best known for his legendary role as Luke Spencer.
Although Hughes and Geary seemed to pass each other like ships in the night during the 1980s and early 1990s, the 2000s marked a new chapter for both actors—and their characters. On screen, Anna and Luke were paired in adventurous, high-stakes storylines filled with danger, intrigue, and emotional depth, giving fans a fresh dynamic between two General Hospital legends.
Following Geary’s passing on December 14 at the age of 78, Hughes took to Instagram to honor her friend and colleague. Sharing a photo of the two together, she opened her tribute with heartfelt words:
“He took my breath away. So magical, creative, fearless, the thing of legend.”
Hughes went on to reflect on the personal memories they shared away from the set, recalling time spent with Geary and his husband, Claudio, in Amsterdam. She described Geary as a remarkable host and conversationalist—deeply thoughtful, witty, kind, and mischievous by nature. Her affection extended to the impact he had on her family as well, noting that her children adored him.
“Thank you, Tony, for the really, really good times, for sharing your heart and spirit,” Hughes wrote, closing with love for Claudio and an image that will forever remain with her: Geary peacefully navigating the Amsterdam canals in his boat.
Hughes and Geary’s General Hospital timelines overlapped in fascinating ways. Hughes debuted as Anna Devane in 1985, just after Geary and Genie Francis (Laura) made what would be their final guest appearance before returning full-time in 1993. Hughes exited the show in 1992 and wouldn’t return on a full-time basis until 2012, though she did appear on ABC’s sister soap All My Children, portraying both Anna and her twin, Alexandra Deane.
Anna and Luke’s on-screen relationship began in 2006 on the Markham Islands and continued through several dramatic encounters over the years. Anna helped rescue Luke after he was imprisoned in a mental institution, and later risked her life again when Luke was kidnapped by Heather Webber. During that rescue attempt, Heather shot Anna, underscoring just how dangerous their shared adventures could be.
In 2015, the two briefly flirted with the idea of romance, though it never fully blossomed. In a twist of soap opera irony, Anna’s longtime love interest Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers) ultimately married Holly Sutton (Emma Samms), one of Luke’s most famous loves.
Luke Spencer was also known for his affectionate nicknames for those closest to him. He called his son Lucky “Cowboy,” referred to Lulu as “Cupcake” or “Gumdrop,” and had a special nickname for Anna as well—“Slim.” While Luke and Anna were never the great love of each other’s lives, they shared a deep friendship marked by trust, loyalty, and mutual respect, mirroring the real-life bond between Geary and Hughes.
As General Hospital continues to honor its rich history, moments like this remind fans that the magic of the show extends far beyond the screen. Anthony Geary’s impact—on the series, his co-stars, and generations of viewers—remains indelible.
Catch all-new episodes of General Hospital weekdays on ABC and streaming on Hulu.
