Gemini Rising

Reminder of the times - RIP Anthony Geary

Tony (Anthony) Geary passed away on the 14th. For me, he was a soap opera icon and in a way, his death almost feels (to me) like my youth is passing away, too.

I was 12 in 1980 when soap operas reigned supreme. Being a "latch key kid" (as my parents had recently divorced) I had nothing better to do than turn on TV and watch the soap operas. General Hospital was on at 3, right after school. I wasn't a big Luke and Laura fan, but they were the big draw at the time. Heck, I was more into the Robert Scorpio character. Those Aussies...sigh... Still, Luke and Laura always interesting stories. General Hospital hooked me on soap operas. As I grew older, I grew to enjoy "As the World Turns," "One Life to Live," and others.


Anthony Geary was born in May 1947, so he was about 30/31 when he got hired on General Hospital, and he spent several years on the show. According to my internet searches, his last time on the show was 2017? Still, that's over what? 35 years on soaps? That's respect. He earned 8 Daytime Emmys for his role. He truly was a good actor. While I kind of stopped watching soaps in the 2000's, we watched Geary age from a young man to an old one.

When Geary retired, he went to live in Amsterdam where he lived with his husband. (He was born in Utah). The cause of his death was complications from surgery. Again, my internet search said he had open heart surgery to replace a value, which would be normal to expect when your 78.

Anyhoo...I grew up watching soaps and Geary. I was a young kid. Soaps taught you about life (in a way). I always enjoy watching the soap, watching the stories, investing in the characters, etc. Soaps was kind of an escape in a way. And some of the plots on soaps could be wild.

Geary's passing at 78 reminds me that time marches on. I'm not a young kid anymore. My youth has come and gone and passed me by.

RIP Anthony Geary. Thank you for the tears and the smiles.