After months of speculation, Anthony Geary confirms he has quit General Hospital and the role of Luke Spencer. Though Geary has taken lengthy breaks over the years he’s been in the role, it seems that this time he won’t be coming back to Port Charles.
Michael Logan of TV Insider broke the news that had seemingly been a long time coming. Tony Geary is leaving General Hospital when his current contract expires. Fans will have a little while to get used to the idea, as Geary films until late June and viewers will see Luke until late July or so.
While Geary says he doesn’t care for the word “retirement,” he is saying farewell to the role he’s played on-and-off for decades on General Hospital . He says he isn’t necessarily leaving acting, but he is ready to change gears. Fans remember that Geary had a difficult back surgery last year, and he says now that the surgery is when he gained some clarity about his plans going forward.
The actor says, “I really don’t want to die, collapsing in a heap, on that GH set one day.”
Geary has spent many years splitting his time between California and Amsterdam, and it seems he wants to immerse himself more fully in all that Amsterdam has to offer. In fact, he may even start scoping out acting gigs over there. The GH star indicates that while the show has been good to him and the character is a big part of him, it’s worn him down and he’s ready for a change.
Fans have been buzzing about the possibility of Anthony Geary quitting for months now, and many thought his big revelation about having killed both his father and mother would be his farewell. Geary is still on the canvas for now, though, and many suspect that the upcoming return of Genie Francis in the role of Laura Spencer will pave the way for Luke Spencer’s exit.
That said, Geary indicates that both he and Francis have felt that the infamous Luke and Laura romance has run its course. Given that, it will be interesting to see to what extent Francis’ return and Geary’s exit are aligned. It seems clear that he doesn’t see Luke and Laura riding off into the sunset together, but that the writers may have other plans.
As TVLine notes, Geary has owned the role of Luke Spencer since 1978. He has regularly taken leaves each year for extended vacations, but buzz about a permanent departure started after his back surgery. It wasn’t until now, though, that Geary confirmed his plans to leave General Hospital.
Tony indicates that the decision to leave was made in January, and there are some fabulous scenes ahead. Geary teases some twists and turns and some amazing interactions with on-screen wife Tracy Quartermaine, played by Jane Elliot. As much as fans love Luke and Tracy together, it sounds as if there is plenty more ahead for Elliot to keep her character busy without Geary.
Despite frustrations with the fake Luke storyline that went on longer than most viewers would have liked, Luke Spencer is an integral part of the show, and it’s hard to imagine him gone for good. Luckily, Geary indicates that he’s been told he can come back at any time should he so desire. However, Tony says he’s selling his Los Angeles home, and he is at peace with his decision to leave.
How should Luke Spencer leave Port Charles this summer? Stay tuned for more General Hospital spoilers regarding Anthony Geary’s departure as the actor wraps his time on the set.
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