NEED TO KNOW
- Jonathan Jackson is paying tribute to Anthony Geary
- Geary, who played Luke Spencer on General Hospital, died on Dec. 14 at 78
- Jackson, who has played his on-screen son Lucky since 1993, wrote in a social media caption that there were “no words to express what he meant to me personally”
Jonathan Jackson is remembering his late TV dad, Anthony Geary, as his “father in the arts.”
The General Hospital star, 43, penned a heartfelt tribute on Instagram following Geary’s death at 78 on Sunday, Dec. 14. Jackson has played Lucky Spencer, the on-screen son of Geary’s Luke Spencer and Genie Francis’s Laura, on and off since originating the role at age 11 in 1993.
In an Instagram message, shared on Tuesday, Dec. 16, the Emmy winner wrote that his heart was “broken” and that there were “no words to express what he meant to me personally.”
“Many people know what a brilliant and unparalleled actor and artist he was,” Jackson began. “For decades, he poured out his heart and soul and passion into his work. Never settling, always pushing for truth, nuance, paradox, humor and humanity.”
Jason Merritt/WireImage
Geary died on Sunday following complications from an operation three days prior, TV Insider reported, sharing a message from his husband, Claudio Gama.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
While Geary is “known to the world for his artistic achievements,” Jackson wrote that he’ll remember him “most for his humility, kindness, love and wit.”
“Tony’s mind was a creative cosmos, always on the move, exploring and cultivating the art and poetry of life,” Jackson wrote. “He was a truly brilliant writer, which many don’t yet know, but I hope his work will come to light one day.”
He added, “As an eleven-year-old kid, he took me under his wing with a depth of grace, respect and belief that I certainly didn’t deserve. He was my father in the arts, my mentor in the world of learning to trust one’s instincts and always believe in the power and beauty of story and performance.”
Ron Tom/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty
Jackson then recounted moments they worked together that were “transcendent,” noting that Geary eventually “became one of the closest friends” as he grew up on screen. “No matter the time or distance, our souls spoke the same language. I will greatly miss his presence in the room with me. He was family. Elisa and all of our children adored Tony. My love and humble prayers are with his family and friends on this heartbreaking day,” Jackson wrote.
He added, “But we will remember him, and honor his memory! One of my favorite scriptures says, ‘Love is stronger than death,’ and I feel this way about him. To say, ‘I love you’ is to protest another’s death. In my soul, this is how I feel… and I cling to the hope that we will see each other again. I love you Tony.”
Jackson previously shouted out Geary during his latest win at the 52nd Daytime Emmy Awards in October, noting that he’s still “with me in every single scene that I do.” Geary notably left the series in 2015.
Francis, who made history with Geary in the early ’80s as the other half of daytime’s biggest supercouple, shared her own tribute this week — remembering her costar as a “powerhouse as an actor” and a man who “spoiled me for leading men for the rest of my life.”
Read the full article here
