As portrayed by Anthony Geary, Luke Spencer was described as the most popular character in soap opera history. One critic said, "Geary's individualism, uniqueness and awesome range is the most notable in daytime (television) history," a statement that is typical of the actor's reviews. He added to his laurels by winning the 1981 Emmy Award as Outstanding Actor in a Daytime Drama Series. Mr. Geary brought Luke Spencer back to the viewing audience, and Port Charles, on October 29, 1993, and received Emmy nominations as Outstanding Lead Actor in 1997 and 1998.
In January 1991, Mr. Geary returned to General Hospital in the role of Bill Eckert, a cousin of Spencer's, and a man of many, often dark, colors. Mr. Geary was seen on-screen as both Bill Eckert and Luke Spencer as the story progressed until the death of Eckert.
Geary has come a long way from Coalville, Utah, the small mountain community of 800 where he was born. Tony was a gifted student, attending the University of Utah as a Presidential Award Scholar in theater. Jack Albertson saw Tony perform there, and cast him in The Subject Was Roses. The production, starring Albertson and Martha Scott, toured Hawaii and settled at the Huntington Hartford Theater in Los Angeles, where Tony decided to establish himself. His ensuing musical theater credits comprise a catalogue of classics. A highlight in this period was his costarring engagement with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca at the Frontier Hotel in Las Vegas in Your Show of Shows.
Tony has performed in more than 50 stage productions throughout the United States. His appearance in the one-man show, Human Scratchings, earned Anthony unanimous critical acclaim and a DramaLogue Award in 1996. His other extensive theatrical credits include roles in productions of The Wild Duck, The Inspector General, The Cat's Paw, The Glass Menagerie, and Barabbas at the Los Angeles Theater Center. In addition, he toured with a production of Jesus Christ Superstar, portraying the title role. He also portrayed Octavius Caesar, opposite Lynn Redgrave and Timothy Dalton, in a production of Shakespeare's Antony and Cleopatra for PBS and the BBC.
Geary has made guest appearances on more than 40 television shows. Among his TV credits are roles on Starsky & Hutch, Barnaby Jones, The Streets of San Francisco, The Blue Knight, All in the Family, The Six Million Dollar Man, The Partridge Family, Most Wanted, Mannix, The Mod Squad, Room 222, Doc Elliot, Temperatures Rising, Marcus Welby, M.D., Hotel, and Murder, She Wrote. He also performed in the television movies, Perry Mason and the Case of the Murdered Madam, Kicks, Sins of the Past, The Imposter, Intimate Agony, and Do You Know the Muffin Man?; and in the daytime dramas, Bright Promise and The Young and the Restless.
Geary's feature film credits include roles in UHF, It Takes Two, Pass the Ammo, You Can't Hurry Love, Penitentiary III, The Disorderlies, Private Investigation, Johnny Got His Gun, Scorchers, and Night of the Warrior. As a producer, Mr. Geary received a Cindy Award for the drama Sound of Sunshine, Sound of Rain, a children's story for Public Radio. He has also taught improvisation and story-theater techniques.
Mr. Geary competed in track and field and swimming events as a college student, and also raced horses. He is a certified scuba diver as well as an accomplished in-line skater. Tony also claims himself to be "the world's oldest hip-hop dancer.
General Hospital
Bill Eckert
1991 to 1993
General Hospital: Night Shift
Luke Spencer
2008
Luke Spencer
1998
General Hospital
Luke Spencer
1978 to 1983; 1984; October 29, 1993 to Present
The Young and the Restless
George Curtis
1973
Roseanne
Luke Spencer
1994
Antony and Cleopatra
Octavius Caesar
1983
Johnny Got His Gun
Redhead
1971
PLACE OF BIRTH: Coalville, Utah
DATE OF BIRTH: May 29, 1947
HEIGHT: 6'2"
HAIR: Dark Blonde
EYES: Blue
