Robert Scorpio is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, played by actor Tristan Rogers.
Casting
Tristan Rogers originally played the role from December 2, 1980 through February 25, 1992. The popularity and longevity of the character was furthered by his involvement with the monumentally popular "supercouple" Luke and Laura, whose 1981 wedding brought in 30 million viewers and remains the highest-rated hour in American soap opera history.
While Rogers' Scorpio had been "killed with no body found" when he left the series in 1992, Rogers returned briefly from November 15 to 22, 1995, as Scorpio's spirit to comfort the character's daughter Robin Scorpio (Kimberly McCullough), who is dealing with the loss of her boyfriend to AIDS-related illness and is herself HIV-positive. He returned again on January 27, 2006 till March 1, 2006, this time with Scorpio being very much alive. Rogers reappeared on April 13, 2006 and left again on November 16, 2006.
From August 5, 2008 through October 21, 2008, Rogers reprised the role of Robert Scorpio on the Season 2 of SOAPnet's General Hospital: Night Shift, a prime time spin-off of General Hospital which stars Scorpio's daughter Robin. He was featured in 12 of the season's 14 episodes, and Soap Opera Digest named the appearance their "Best Return" of 2008. Rogers later reappeared on General Hospital for four episodes starting December 22, 2008, as Scorpio attends Robin's wedding.
Rogers reprised the role for a brief period in March 2012, following the departure of Kimberly McCullough in the role of Rogers' on-screen daughter, Robin. Rogers reprised the role once again on November 15, 2012 to December 18, 2012. Rogers reprised the role once more beginning on October 4, 2013 as part of the return of the character's on-screen daughter. However, head writer Ron Carlivati confirmed on November 14, 2013 that Rogers would be departing the series in order to return to The Young and the Restless as his character Colin Atkinson. He departed on January 30, 2014.
In October 2015, it was announced that Rogers will be returning to the series as Robert, while still remaining on Y&R, beginning on December 17, 2015. Rogers wrapped his return on February 2, 2016. Rogers would reprise his role again in the summer of 2016 for a short stint. He appeared from August 26 to September 9, 2016.
In March 2018, Soap Opera Digest reported that Rogers would return to the show, his return aired on April 13, 2018. Rogers departed on June 1, 2018.
In July 2018, it was announced Rogers made another return to the show. Rogers returned on July 27, 2018. In January 2019, Soaps.com reported that Rogers would be returning during the week of January 28.
Storylines
1980–1992
Robert, an Australian, has a heroic past. He was involved in many adventures with his good friend Luke Spencer and his wife Laura Spencer. He has been an international spy for the WSB spy agency, and was police commissioner of Port Charles from 1983 through 1985, then again from 1988 through 1992 when he supposedly perished in an explosion in South America. When he resigned as police commissioner in 1985 he moved to Australia with his wife Holly to start anew, but returned to Port Charles when Anna and Robin needed his help for the Mr. Big caper but after he took down the mob he return to Australia to be with his wife. (Holly was presumed dead soon afterwards, so Robert ended up returning to Port Charles.) The Interim WSB Chief returned to track down agents that were killing other agents.