'General Hospital' Cast News: Anthony Geary LEAVING Role Of Luke Spencer, Details On Surprising Exit & What It Means For Character [PHOTO]

A major character will soon be departing on General Hospital, following the actor's surprising decision to leave the show after three decades portraying his role.

Anthony Geary, who has portrayed the iconic Luke Spencer on the soap opera, made the decision to leave, and he will exit the show this summer.

"Anthony is our friend and a part of our television family, but, as difficult as this may be, we understand and respect that this is his choice," executive producer Frank Valentini told Fox News.

Geary's character, Luke, will exit with the help of his former iconic on-screen wife, Laure (Genie Francis), who it was announced last week would return. It has not been confirmed she would come back to participate in the storyline involving Luke's exit.

Of his decision to leave, Geary cited being weary of the grind, especially after pulling double duty the past year as both himself and his character's evil alter ego, which coincided with a complicated back surgery in 2014.

"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."

It is unclear just how Luke will be written out of the show, though Geary us pitching his own ideas.

"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. He needs to be at peace," he said.

Geary has won 8 Daytime Emmy awards for his work as Luke, including the trophy for 2015. He has not been given a specific exit date.

He is also not the only bigger actor who has left the show in recent months. Kristen Alderson, who portrayed Kiki Jerome, left earlier this year and was replaced by Hayley Erin. Ian Buchanan, who portrays Duke Lavery, may also soon exit, and it is unclear if Maura West, who portrays Ava Jerome is also leaving the show.

Some of Geary's current and former co-stars, as well as writer and co-EP Ron Carlivati have shared their support and memories with the actor online since the announcement of his departure as well.

Tags

General hospital, ABC, Soap Operas