Tristan Rogers has died at the age of 79. The Australian actor was best known for playing Robert Scorpio on General Hospital . He first joined the soap opera in 1980.

His longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his death to ABC 7 Eyewitness News on Friday, Aug. 15. It was revealed in July that Rogers has been diagnosed with cancer.

Soodak told the outlet that Rogers' General Hospital role "meant everything to him."

"He loved being Scorpio and he created that role from nothing," Soodak continued. "He was supposed to work a day and he ended up making it into something huge. He was just a genuinely loyal, kind human being and he loved his family."

In response to the news, General Hospital Executive Producer Frank Valentini shared a statement with PEOPLE.

"The entire General H

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