General Hospital
Tony Geary Opens Up About His Iconic Role as GH’s Luke Spencer on Nancy Lee Grahn’s ‘Soaps In Quarantine’
It what was truly the best interview we have seen with the man considered daytime dramas all-time greatest actor, General Hospital’s Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis) along with her friend and co-host Kaore Bonell, had a virtual conversation with Tony Geary (Ex-Luke Spencer) via his home in Amsterdam on the latest episode of their series, Soaps In Quarantine.
Grahn and Geary who both admitted to their absolute love and admiration of working together in scenes on GH, truly gave the viewers insight into Geary’s triumphs and struggles playing the iconic Luke Spencer. Throughout his run, Geary won a record eight Daytime Emmys for his performances.
Photo: JPI
Throughout the episode, Tony shared more insight into many of the rumors and stories that circulated about him and his approach to the character of Luke. That included: his early years in the soaps and working with legendary GH executive producer, Gloria Monty, why he came back to the show in the early 90’s, his conflict when Luke raped Laura (Genie Francis) in the legendary campus disco scene, being part of pop culture, the pressure and his constant desire to keep the integrity of the character of Luke Spencer though various writing regimes, and his love for working with his longtime scene partner, Genie Francis.
Tony also answers the question, along with Nancy, if they two of them ab-lib their scenes. Nancy and Tony also share to the soap audience their approach to the work, from how they work their scripts to when they hit the set to tape.
Courtesy/BonGrahnYouTube
Later in the episode, Tony shares his love for his home in Amsterdam, and why he has chosen to remain there, and how he finally gained full citizenship in Holland.
Watch the entire conversation below. Then let us know what you thought of Tony and Nancy’s extraordinary discussion via the comment section below.
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That was wonderful. I enjoyed it so much. Thank you.
Ahh I like Tony.
He is an interesting guy in the round..
If I were to go to Amsterdam I’d look him up
and light up with him for a great communication/talk.
I miss Tony and doubt that he’d return for a walk-through, in GH.
I’m looking forward to another Tony lockdown Nancy talk.
Did you hear the regret in his voice, Su? He says he would change a lot of things if he could. I, also, doubt that he will return for that “walk-through.” Jane Elliott’s was ignominious. Bet she regrets HER “walk-through.” Yes, I think Geary is done with GH–and, as a once-diehard fan myself, I, too, am “done” with him. He behaved abominably toward Genie and his fans. He could have apologized but I didn’t hear it. Arrogance will do one in every time. And, in the beginning, ironically, he seemed so very grateful for the role of Luke, but .… Read more »
hi nancy ) hope all is going well for you during this time-
I know of no one, including myself, that has regrets
over a terrible this or that and wish we had a do-over.
Tony was in GH like half of his life-
many things can go ”not like me” at times.
He does seem to be relaxed and peaceful
of course, that could be due to good weed !
Genie was no angel, either lol
and surely she has regrets and would love a do-over too.
heck- go like Tony get some good weed and pull back LOL 🙂
Hey there, Su! Yes, of course, we all have regrets. We’re “imperfect” beings, after all. But, Tony Geary’s very public rants and hurtful interviews are out there for all to see. And he had to be aware of the ramifications. So, I think he should say something concrete, PUBLICALLY, to, as you say, “pull back,” and make amends. Life is too short, we all kmow. And even TG must know this even as he “disappears” into a weed induced nirvana. 🙂 As for me personally, a good long walk in nature does the trick, “naturally”! Hope all is well with… Read more »
Just for you Nancy– 🙂
GH’s Anthony Geary No Holds Barred Chat:
This is from Michale Fairman’s board on July 20, 2015–
yes, a good many of us posting back then.
Your posts about Tony&Genie, mine, and many others..
Take a long read–
((talk about a flash-back..))
Thanks so much, Su! I did “take a long read,” and will say that you and I are CONSISTENT! 🙂
Su, thanks for taking me down the rabbit hole with the above link. I followed the thread to several external links and waded through the 179 comments and thoroughly enjoyed the debate and controversy. I’m with you, loved the honesty! There’s definitely a memoir in there somewhere. What’s Tony been doing for 5 years, if not writing it? MFTV being my only social media indulgence, I don’t seek these people out in other venues to learn about the show or their personal lives, but I must say that I’m really enjoying Nancy Lee Grahn’s “Soaps in Quarantine”—even her drive-by birthday… Read more »
Hi Reed–
you said;
”’Su, thanks for taking me down the rabbit hole with the above link. I followed the thread to several external links and waded through the 179 comments and thoroughly enjoyed the debate and controversy.””
I miss that!!
there was nothing better than Michale Fairmans old black board..
It held conversations, ideas,
it was almost like a coumminty lol
even with high opinions everyone was polite. even if an opinion fight evey was respectful
i miss it 🙂
Su, did you catch “Soaps in Quarantine” with your boyfriend Valentin? James Patrick Stewart and Michelle Stafford’s episode was great fun as well. It’s nice to see another side of these people but I think I’ll stick to my little universe at MFTV. Always enjoy your posts…even when you talk out of your rear!
Why do you believe that Anthony Geary behaved abominably toward Genie and his fans? After 37 years Geary was tired of being Luke Spencer. He was also tired of commuting back and forth between LA and Amsterdam. Geary was not obligated to ask Genie for permission to retire GH. Geary obligated to ask his fans for permission to retire from GH.
Please read my post closely. I didn’t say anything about Geary’s retirement–most especially asking fans’ “permission” to retire. ????
I was talking about his COMMENTS that were hurtful to both Genie and to his fans–and to their loyalty to an iconic story–that of Luke and Laura.
That’s what I remember too, Nancy. I would have to go back and look at the interviews at the time to remember specifics, but I do recall that in interviews as he was approaching retirement, he said things to the effect that Luke and Laura fans “needed to get a life.” I could understand the frustration he must have felt through the years being constrained in his portrayal of Luke by the absolute worship that LnL fans (of which I was not one, because of the rape, largely) felt for the legend and the couple, and I could understand that… Read more »
Michael, I agree with your sentiments.
I loved this interview with Tony Luke
I have missed him
I am proud of him and his choices
Hope he will come back to visit
Thank you
Well I can play devil’s advocate here. He says it was a rape between L&L, and he had problems with that, and the attention he got, and the writers. Yet 8 years later he didn’t seem to have a problem returning to the show, when he obviously couldn’t get a job elsewhere. So he has plenty to say, yet didn’t back that up with his actions. As far as Amsterdam goes, nobody disagrees with the Cheetoh in Chief more than I do, but people like Geary, Tina Turner, George Clooney etc. who leave the U.S. never have anything nice to… Read more »
I’d be careful about assuming that because he had a phenomenally successful acting career (by many standards), he experienced no discrimination. Certainly he was denied some of the same freedoms his heterosexual colleagues could take for granted–couldn’t openly have a partner, openly be gay, openly be who he was–and still have a career. It’s considerably different now, fortunately, but he spent most of his life in a *very* nonaccepting society in a profession in which it mattered, so I can’t blame him for embracing a culture that didn’t take so long to get there. I’m 10-15 years younger than TG,… Read more »
Time marches on. Most things in life get better. Today, we should all be focusing on the bigger picture and treat humans like humans and realize that anyone you may have pointed a finger at in the past, just might be the same person that could save your life.
I can’t say my observations and life experience (across almost six decades at this point) would validate your observation that most things in life get better, Timmm, but I appreciate your optimism.
Geary sounds wistful and filled with some regrets. He admits that he would change a lot of his behavior if he could go back and do so. Wish he HAD behaved better; he alienated a lot of his long and loyal fans, me included, when he treated Genie–and their story line–so badly. That’s unforgivable after all the years they worked together. And Genie has ALWAYS taken the higher, compassionate ground,even when she didn’t win the Emmys she deserved–and he did win, 8 times. He even said he won an Emmy where he and Genie improvised the whole scene. I followed… Read more »
What is wrong with you and others who have followed the Luke and Laura story from the beginning? LUKE RAPED LAURA! It was and still is UNFORGIVABLE that the producers/writers further victimized Laura by turning her rape into a love story. As for the viewer enjoying the story, Geary wanted to retire.
Again, please read my comment carefully. I said NOTHING about the rape. And, yes, he DID rape Laura. They were both told by Gloria Monty to play it that way. But, you heard TG say clearly that “the audience felt as much sympathy for the rapist as they did about the victim of the rape–and, expediently, they kept him on the show when he was supposed to have a short 6-wk. or so stint. So, the ACTING of Genie and Tony entralled the audience and “a “seduction” theme was touted–and later, after protests, the writers really did a number trying… Read more »
Rape is not now nor will it ever be “seduction”. The acting of Genie and Tony surrounding the aftermath of the rape may have enthralled you and other women my mother’s age but not me. I and other young women look at the endless replays of the Luke and Laura “love story” with both anger and contempt. The scene where Lucky talks to Laura about her rape was/is an unacceptable attempt by the writers to make nice with those of us who protested. Did not work!
Funny. Do you know Nancy D’s age? I see plenty of those comments in the youtube replays stating they are young and watching it for the first time. Many of them admit the story is compelling, and the rape cannot be condoned. The story was well-told (at least in the beginning) and Genie and Tony are theatrically trained. It was interesting to see the story unfold, thanks to all of the above. It was the first time “date rape” (and the victim’s needless feelings of guilt) was given a name and shown to an audience. The writing team should have… Read more »
The great point you made is Laura was already falling for Luke. Still, rape is never condoned. BUT, as a society, coming out of the seventies and into the eighties, the lines were blurred. Critically blurred! We all have grown and learned for the most part. That is the good news.
Carrie, moral conscience has no “age;” it is a constant. If you are interested, or have the time, please read my response to Anne (above).
There is, however, “enlightenment” and “changing mores.” And that’s what the writers at GH ran into re L & L story. I hasten to add, also, that women on GH still are often not portrayed as “equals” or multi-layered individuals.
One last thing: Genie has said: “I have no more interest in playing the victim, the wounded dove; I am through with that.” Brava, Genie!
Nancy, I am sorry if there was confusion. I actually thought I was responding to Anne and how she was certain you, and any LnL fan, must be her mother’s age. ….and how she stated there must be something wrong with LnL fans. I was trying to convey that anyone who stuck around long enough to see the story unfold “could” see how the 2 characters could end up together. Sorry, again, for any confusion caused by my earlier post. I was actually trying to defend you, myself and other LnL fans. Sincerely. 🙂
Thanks, Carrie. 🙂
Hi again Nancy. I love Laura and I think my all time favorite storyline was right after LnL return from Beecher’s Corners and they break up. Laura becomes tough and independent. Months go by before LnL become a couple again. It was so much fun seeing them develop a new dynamic and a new normal. And those scenes brought so much laughter. It was a perfect anticdote to the previous year’s rape story. It was my favorite time and you can really see the creative freedom the actors were given to improvise. And you could sense they were having fun… Read more »
Yes, in one interview, Genie said they laughed so much that her stomach ached! And both Genie and Tony have stated that the “on the run” story was their favorite. The humor WAS great fun–obviously for the actors as well as the audience.
PS. They hold up today and can be a perfect antidote in these uncertain times. Take care, Nancy 🙂
BTW, this would be a perfect time for TPTB at GH to show those funny scenes on “throwback Fridays,” don’t you think? We need some “comic relief” while we hunker down! 🙂
Yes, that would be great. Maybe ABC is afraid to show episodes exposing the freedom and larger budgets they once allowed. ha ha
And do you sense, as I, the chemistry between Genie as Laura and Jeff Kobe as the character of baddie Cyrus Renault? What to do with THAT???! He has that twinkle in his eye while playing the dastardly evil character. And Genie has that bit of fire in her defiance of him and his evil ways. I see those sparks. Maybe TPTB shouldn’t have made him so BAD. What do you think? Chemistry is something one just cannot predict, isn’t it? (Case in point: the chemistry between Genie Francis and Tony Geary, right?)
I’m not sure. Nothing against Jeff, but so far I think Genie can act circles around most. Jon Linstrom and Tony Geary and Stephen Nichols were good acting matches. Always Tristan Rogers but it’s clear they are going to reunite him with Holly or shift his character in that direction. In Jeff’s defense, he may be forced to hold back since he is new. The GH veterans aren’t afraid to show more fire. I’ll give it some more time. I bet Cyrus ends up being the father of one of the existing characters. Is he old enough to be Valentine’s… Read more »
Not sure if he is on contract or just recurring, but he has had a lot of scenes that seem ominous with Jordan, Laura, Sonny. And I don’t think he would be old enough to be Valentine’s dad, but I don’t think they’ll take the story that way. But anything can and does happen or seem possible on GH. And, remember, they are always “bending” time. Still, I’d selfishly like to see more “power” scenes between him and Genie, though I don’t know what direction they writers are taking the character–if he will be killed, or will still be on… Read more »
I think it might be fun (and funny) to see Michael E. Knight have some Genie scenes. 🙂
Yes, she could have the milquetoast for lunch, couldn’t she?
This interview was awesome! The fact that Nancy and Tony know each other made it even more fun. Say whatever you want about Tony, but he was a fine actor and the humor he added is sorely missed. Great job both Nancy and Tony! Thank you!
Hi Nancy. I thought it was just me, because I can have wild thoughts sometimes. Personally, I think Laura has chemistry of some sort with every male she has contact with, her friendship with Sonny, Robert, Marcus,etc. Ironically I don’t see and never have seen a romantic connection with her own husband. Of course we rarely see them together. I don’t like Cyrus and the way he gets right in everyone’s face or space so to speak. I think he’s offensive and that’s his intention to make the other person feel threatened. On another note. I am not crazy about… Read more »
My point exactly, Anne. Expediency ruled the day, unfortunately.
And please read my posts carefully, Anne. Nowhere did I say that “rape” is “seduction” (that would be repugnant)! Neither did I say the RAPE “enthralled” me. Quite the contrary (if you read carefully). I said that TPTB started calling it “a seduction” after the audience’s response. The character of Luke was supposed to be short-term, so what to do, after, as GEARY said, “the audience expressed sympathy for Luke (the rapist) equal to the sympathy expressed for Laura, the victim of the rape (or “survivor)? EXPEDIENTLY, “the powers that be” wanted to keep Tony Geary on the show, so… Read more »
Thank you. It was RAPE. I watched it. And although I’ve had my reservations about Mr. Geary through the years, a big BRAVO to him for confirming it in this interview. I got so tired, back in those days, and sometimes in the intervening years since, of being told I did not see what I saw on my screen. It was rape, Tony has now said on the record that it was written as “violent rape” and that Gloria Monty directed it as rape and that he and Genie played it as rape. And that’s exactly what I saw on… Read more »
Very interesting talk. Thanks for sharing it!
Tony is fabulous and GH misses him! Fans who bitch about his stubbornness or entitlement need to listen to this interview. He explains exactly why he is who he is and explains his behavior in regard to his character, his own integrity and his exit plan. The interview, like I stated, it was very good. He finally explained his thought process from day one to his last day on GH’s set. The problem I have is Grahn treated this more like a phone conversation than an interview. Here are some questions she could have asked that would have made total… Read more »
I like your questions Timmm.
Thanks Carrie. Tony is reclusive so anything is something but…
I’ve watched all of the episodes (so far) of Soaps in Quarantine. Each one has been interesting in it’s own way but I especially liked this one with Anthony Geary. Especially his thoughts on what it was like in the beginning vs how it is now. Thanks to Nancy Lee Grahn for doing this!
General Hospital
GH EP Frank Valentini On Taping the Sonya Eddy Tribute Episode: “It Was an Extraordinary Script, and It Was a Labor of Love That Day”
This week on General Hospital, the ABC daytime dramas series kicks off its 60th anniversary set of episodes, with what is sure to be the most emotional – the tribute episode for the late Sonya Eddy in honor of her beloved GH character, Epiphany Johnson.
GH’s executive producer spoke with Soap Opera Digest (in their latest issue on newsstands now), about how the show decided to handle the delicate subject of a real-life cast member’s passing and connect it to the story on the canvas of the soap opera.
In conjunction with GH co-head writers, Chris Van Etten and Dan O’Connor, the trio decided that if they weren’t ever going to be able to see Sonya as Epiphany again, that there was no way they were going to ever recast the role. Valentini shared: “We decided it was important to honor not only Sonya, but Epiphany and we wanted to dedicate a full entire episode all about that.”
The EP went on to give praise to his writers, and the cast for their performances when taping the episode: “I think everyone was touched by what the writer’s wrote. It was an extraordinary script and it was a labor of love that day in honor of Sonya, who was so incredibly loved by everybody in the cast and crew.
The way the death of Epiphany is structured on the airshows is key also to the upcoming Nurses’ Ball episodes set to air the following week. Frank expressed: “Epiphany is a very pivotal person in the Nurses’ Ball, so it’s almost like a part two (of her tribute).
The Sonya Eddy tribute episode airs Wednesday March 29th.
Are you looking forward to seeing how GH honors Sonya and the beloved Epiphany of GH? Comment below.
General Hospital
General Hospital Alum Briana Lane Mourns the Loss of Her Husband
Heartbreaking news to report. Briana Lane, who took over the role of General Hospital’s Brook Lynn Quartermaine while Amanda Setton was away from the series, shared that her beloved husband, John Lange, passed away on March 14th.
Lane posted a photo of herself with John on her Instagram expressing: “I will love you forever my sweet John. Til we meet again.”
Photo: ABC
In August of 2020, Lane started subbing for Setton as Brook Lynn, and her performances won the hearts of GH fans. She stayed with the show till November of that year and returned one other time in 2022. In addition, Amanda received a Daytime Emmy nomination for her work in the Outstanding Guest Performer category in 2021.
As for the love story of Briana and John, they wed in December of 2016. As many know, Briana is not only a great actress, but also has a successful music career and John was very supportive of her professional life. Lange was remembered as a walking encyclopedia of television knowledge, a dog lover, and a lover of comedy.
Friends of Lane’s have set up a Go Fund Me page, to assist in giving John the memorial he deserves and to help Briana as she navigates this next chapter of her life.
Many of Briana’s former GH co-stars shared their grief and support in her IG post including: Kirsten Storms (Maxie) and Katey MacMullen (Willow).
Share your condolences for Briana on the loss of her husband in the comment section below.
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