People: Anthony Geary to leave ‘General Hospital’
Actor Anthony Geary, whose character Luke Spencer’s marriage to Laura in 1981 on “General Hospital” was the biggest moment in daytime television history, is leaving the soap opera after nearly three decades in the role.
It was Geary’s decision to leave, and he’ll be written out of the ABC show for an episode that will air later this summer, executive producer Frank Valentini said Friday.
More than 30 million people tuned in to watch Luke marry Laura, considered a storybook event despite the creepy backstory of Laura falling in love with her rapist. Actress Genie Francis, who played Laura but hasn’t been on “General Hospital” since 2013, will return this summer to participate in the story of Luke’s exit, ABC said.
Geary, 67, began playing Luke in 1978 but left the show in 1984. He returned in 1991 but, tired of the character, played Luke’s lookalike cousin. Audiences didn’t like it, however, so the cousin was killed off and Geary resumed playing Luke in 1993, and has remained with the show since then.
Geary told TVInsider.com that he was “weary of the grind and have been for 20 years.”
“There was a point after my back surgery last year where it became clear to me that my time is not infinite,” he said. “And I really don’t want to die, collapsing in a heap, on the ‘GH’ set one day.”
ABC wasn’t saying Friday how Geary’s unsavory character will be written out of the show.
“If I were in his place, I’d go to Tibet or Nepal on some kind of spiritual journey, even though he’s an atheist,” Geary told TVInsider.com. “He needs to be at peace.”
Kimmel to show rerun for Letterman
Jimmy Kimmel is choosing not to air a new episode of his talk show opposite David Letterman’s final “Late Show” installment.
Kimmel told the New York Times that his May 20 episode will be a repeat out of respect for Letterman. Kimmel’s other editions of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live” that week will be new.
“I have too much respect for Dave to do anything that would distract viewers from watching his final show,” said Kimmel in an email to the Times. “Plus, I’ll probably be crying all day, which makes it hard to work.”
Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien aren’t following suit. NBC’s “The Tonight Show” and TBS’ “Conan” are planning original installments for May 20, according to show representatives.
Letterman has hosted “Late Show” for 33 years.
Last year during Jay Leno’s final “Tonight Show,” rivals Letterman, Kimmel and O’Brien each aired new episodes. In their opening monologues that night, Letterman and O’Brien mentioned Leno’s last hurrah, while Kimmel tweeted about it.
The birthday bunch
Actor Albert Finney is 79. Actress-turned-politician Glenda Jackson is 79. Singer Tommy Roe is 73. Singer-musician Richie Furay (Buffalo Springfield and Poco) is 71. Actress Candice Bergen is 69. Singer Billy Joel is 66. Actress Wendy Crewson is 59. Actor John Corbett is 54. Actress Rosario Dawson is 36.