Tristan Rogers Dies At 79, He Dated This 'General Hospital' Co-Star Before Marrying Second Wife

Tristan Rogers, the beloved soap opera icon best known for his 45-year portrayal of super spy ‘Robert Scorpio’ on ABC’s General Hospital, passed away on Friday, August 15, 2025. The actor, who was 79, died merely weeks after his long-time manager, Meryl Soodak, announced his cancer diagnosis. Soodak confirmed his death to Variety, noting that despite his lung cancer diagnosis, Rogers had never been a smoker. 

Rogers’ passing hit his General Hospital co-stars and fans hard, especially his co-star and on-screen love interest, Emma Samms. The two shared one of the most iconic on-screen romances of daytime television, playing ‘Holly Sutton’, a former conwoman and heroine who fell in love with ‘Robert Scorpio’. The British actress shared a heartfelt tribute after news broke of his passing.

Tristan Rogers is now survived by his second wife, Teresa Parkerson, their two children, and a grandchild. But before marrying Teresa, he was once involved in a romantic relationship with Emma, and their chemistry was evident on-screen when the two brought to life an on-screen pair that will be remembered for ages.

 Co-star and former girlfriend remembers Tristan Rogers after his death

Not long after the news of Rogers’ death was confirmed, tributes flooded all social media pages from actors and co-stars who shared the screen with the late actor for years. However, one post grabbed particular attention, where Emma Samms penned a note mourning the actor. Heartbroken over a long-term friend’s passing, Samma wrote:

“I’m incredibly sad to hear the news about Tristan. I loved working with him, and we were both so grateful that we got the chance to do that for more than 40 years. He taught me how to be comfortable in front of the cameras, and he introduced me to spontaneity and fun, even within all the trials and tribulations that Robert and Holly endured. My condolences to his wife and family.”

Off-screen, Rogers and his co-star Emma Samms also shared a romantic relationship in the 1980s, delighting fans who shipped their on-screen alter egos. Although the romance didn’t last, the two remained close friends and screen partners for decades.

Tristan Rogers’ decades-long work in General Hospital, where he met Emma Samms

General Hospital is one of the longest-running daytime television shows in America, with the first episode dating back to April 1963. Tristan Rogers first joined the show in 1980, for a role that was originally planned to be a one-day commitment. Rogers was meant to rough up fan-favourite character ‘Luke Spencer’ (Anthony Geary) and disappear. 

However, the show’s executive producer, Gloria Monty, saw his potential and decided to keep him on. Gradually, the role of ‘Robert Scorpio’ came to life, and by the early 1980s, Rogers was one of the most loved characters of General Hospital. His magnetic screen presence as ‘Robert Scorpio’ played a huge role in propelling the show into a pop culture sensation, drawing millions of viewers per episode. 

As the impossibly suave and sarcastic spy, ‘Scorpio’ became a fan favourite in no time, often entangled in high-stakes adventures and complex romances. During his time on General Hospital, Rogers was joined by actress Emma Samms, who took on the role of the iconic ‘Holly Sutton’ in 1982. His character’s love triangle involving 'Holly Sutton' (Emma Samms) and fellow spy ‘Anna Devane’ (Finola Hughes) became one of soap TV’s most beloved storylines.

Rogers and Samms’ off-screen romance

While there was no questioning the electric chemistry between ‘Scorpio’ and ‘Sutton’ in the TV show, Rogers and Samms shared a close bond behind the scenes as well. After divorcing his first wife, actress Barbara Meale, in 1983, Tristan was involved in a romantic relationship with Emma before breaking up within a year. 

Although the romance didn’t last, Rogers and Samms remained close friends and screen partners for decades, and fans kept shipping their on-screen chemistry. Their characters were last seen together in late 2024, as they were leaving Port Charles in a Casablanca-style farewell.

Tristan Rogers’ second marriage, which lasted three decades

After splitting up from Emma Samms, Tristan Rogers found the love of his life when he met his second wife, Teresa Parkerson. The two tied the knot in 1995 and have been inseparable since. 2025 marked 30 years of the couple’s married life, which gifted them two children, Sara Jane Rogers and Cale Rogers. The late actor is survived by Teresa, their children, and a grandchild.

Tristan Rogers’ career beyond General Hospital

While Tristan Rogers’ career is largely defined by his magnetic portrayal of ‘Robert Scorpio’, he also appeared in The Young and the Restless, The Bay, Studio City, The Bold and the Beautiful, and various films. He earned a Daytime Emmy Award for his work in Studio City. General Hospital showrunner Frank Valentini paid tribute to the late actor by writing:

“Tristan has captivated our fans for 45 years, and Port Charles will not be the same without him (or Robert Scorpio). Tristan was a one-of-a-kind talent and will be greatly missed.”

Rogers’ passing marks the end of an era for General Hospital and soap opera fans worldwide. His legacy as 'Robert Scorpio' will live on in television history.

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