"General Hospital" veteran Tristan Rogers, best known for his role as Robert Scorpio, has been diagnosed with cancer.

General Hospital actor Tristan Rogers‘ recent cancer diagnosis seems to have shocked fans of the series. The 79-year-old Australian is best known for playing Robert Scorpio in the ABC soap opera. The character debuted in the show in 1980 and has frequently exited and re-entered it multiple times over the years.

“General Hospital” star Tristan Rogers, who has played Robert Scorpio on the long-running daytime soap opera since 1980, has been diagnosed with cancer, a representative for the actor announced Thursday morning.