Anthony Geary, who became a soap opera legend through his portrayal of General Hospital‘s Luke Spencer, died on December 14, 2025, at the age of 78, due to complications from surgery. After joining the show in 1978, Geary’s Luke got together with Genie Francis’ Laura, forming one of the most beloved couples in TV history. The pair became a genuine cultural phenomenon, with their 1981 wedding episodes drawing in 30 million viewers and nabbing the cover of People magazine.

Though Geary left the show and returned several times, overall, he played Luke for over 35 years, until 2015 (plus one guest appearance in 2017). In honor of his legacy, here are five of his greatest moments.

Luke’s arrival (1978)

Geary was originally only signed on to portray Luke for a few months; he was initially created as part of a plotline involving his sister, Bobbie Spencer, and her attempts to break up Laura’s relationship with Scotty Baldwin, and was supposed to be killed off when the story wrapped up. However, fans were so fond of him and his chemistry with Laura that he was soon offered a full contract

Luke and Laura’s wedding (1981)

Even those who didn’t watch any soaps at all were aware of the pop culture moment that was Luke and Laura’s wedding. In addition to the nonstop news coverage the two-part episode garnered, it also brought a very special guest to Port Charles: Elizabeth Taylor, who played wedding-crashing villain Helena Cassadine.

Bill Eckert (1991)

Eager to play a character besides Luke, Geary returned to the show as Bill Eckert, Luke’s cousin. However, viewers were not thrilled with the new character, and Bill was killed off in 1993, when Geary resumed the role of Luke.

Luke and Laura return (with Lucky) (1993)

After being written off the series in 1984 shortly after Laura announced her pregnancy, Geary and Francis returned as Luke and Laura in the fall of 1993. Now  with their school-aged son Lucky by their sides, Luke and Laura were in hiding in Canada … until a bomb planted by Frank Smith threatened their family. The group headed back to Port Charles, and once again found themselves in a plotline with a special celebrity guest: Roseanne Barr as Jennifer Smith.

Luke and Laura stayed for almost a decade, eventually having a second child named Lulu. In 2002, Laura was catatonic and committed to a mental health facility, interrupting their union.

Luke and Bobbie’s Last Dance (1997)

At the annual Nurse’s Ball, Luke was revealed to be a pretty great dancer as he cut a rug with sister Bobbie.