Soap star Tristan Rogers, who has played Robert Scorpio since 1980, died from lung cancer, his longtime manager told multiple news outlets.

Tristan Rogers, the Australian actor who made Robert Scorpio one of soap’s most iconic heroes, has died at the age of 79. His longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed his passing to ABC 7 Eyewitness News on Friday, Aug. 15. Rogers had revealed in July that he’d been diagnosed with cancer.

Tristan Rogers, the actor who played Robert Scorpio on “General Hospital,” died on Friday of lung cancer. He was 79.