General Hospital’s Genie Francis Shares a Heartbreaking Farewell to Anthony Geary
General Hospital fans are mourning a devastating loss following the passing of Anthony Geary, the legendary actor who brought Luke Spencer to life and helped define daytime television for generations. Among those most deeply affected is Genie Francis, whose on-screen partnership with Geary created one of the most iconic love stories in soap opera history.
The news of Geary’s death sent shockwaves through the General Hospital community and beyond. For many viewers, Luke Spencer was not just a character but a symbol of an era, and his romance with Laura Webber reshaped the landscape of daytime drama forever. Their love story in the 1980s captivated millions, culminating in the Luke and Laura wedding—still remembered as the highest-rated soap opera episode in daytime television history. Nothing before it, and nothing since, has come close to its cultural impact.
Few people shared as profound a professional and personal bond with Anthony Geary as Genie Francis did. That connection became heartbreakingly clear when Francis revealed how she learned of her former leading man’s passing. In a deeply emotional series of posts, she described waking up that morning in a state of fear and vulnerability, retreating into her husband’s arms after dreaming of death and feeling as though her life was flashing before her.
An hour later, Francis received a phone call from General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini. He delivered the news that Anthony Geary had died. In that moment, everything fell into place.
“I immediately felt remorse,” Francis shared. “I hadn’t spoken to him in years, but I felt his life end in my sleep last night—and with it, a big part of me and mine.”
Francis went on to reflect on Geary’s immense talent and presence, calling him a true powerhouse who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the greats. She described him as a once-in-a-generation star, insisting that no one burned brighter than Tony Geary.
As an artist, Geary was fearless. Francis recalled his unwavering passion for truth in performance, even when that truth was blunt, uncomfortable, or delivered with sharp humor. He was irreverent, unpredictable, and endlessly compelling—an anti-hero who challenged expectations and brought complexity to every scene. Working alongside him was always exhilarating, she said, because you never quite knew what he might do next.
Over the decades, Luke and Laura’s journey was marked by separation and reunion, conflict and connection, but the stories they told together left an indelible mark on television history. For Francis, those shared moments will never fade.
“He spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life,” she wrote in her final tribute. “I am crushed. I will miss him terribly, but I was so lucky to be his partner.”
She concluded her farewell with words that echoed the depth of their bond and the mystery of connection that transcends time and distance.
“Somehow, somewhere, we are connected to each other because I felt him leave last night. Good night, sweet prince. Good night.”
There are few words that can fully capture the magnitude of such a loss. Anthony Geary’s legacy lives on through his work, his characters, and the unforgettable stories he helped tell. Our hearts go out to Genie Francis and to all of Geary’s loved ones as they say goodbye to a true legend of daytime television.
