Anthony Geary
| Anthony Geary | |
|---|---|
 Geary in 2013 | |
| Born |
May 29, 1947 Coalville, Utah, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1969–present |
Anthony Geary (born May 29, 1947) is an American actor.[1] He is known for playing the role of Luke Spencer on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital. He originated the role of Luke in 1978 and received a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series[2][3] prior to his retirement.[4] Geary had a prominent supporting role in the "Weird Al" Yankovic comedy UHF (1989); other notable films include Johnny Got His Gun (1971), Disorderlies (1987), Scorchers (1991), Teacher's Pet (2004) and Fish Tank (2009).
Early life[edit]
Anthony Geary was born in Coalville, Utah, a son of Dana (née Anderson) (2/10/1923–7/7/1997) and Russell Dean Geary (11/12/25–10/8/1991). His father was a building contractor and owner of a construction company. His mother was a homemaker and assisted his father in the business as the bookkeeper. His father was also the former mayor of Coalville, Utah. Both of Geary's parents were members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.[5] He has two sisters, Jana Geary Steele and DeAnn Geary Bond. Geary attended the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, on a theater scholarship. At age 21, he performed as a chorus boy with Sid Caesar and Imogene Coca on the Las Vegas stage. It was while performing there that he fell and scarred his chin.
Career[edit]
Geary made his first appearance on television in an episode of Room 222 and later appeared in All in the Family, The Mod Squad, Mannix, Marcus Welby, M.D., The Streets of San Francisco and Barnaby Jones. Geary's first daytime role was in NBC soap opera Bright Promise from 1971 to 1972.[6]
He played George Curtis, who was a rapist, in The Young and the Restless and in 1978 was hired for a 13-week story arc to play Luke Spencer in ABC soap General Hospital. His character in General Hospital began as a hit man and later as a rapist who fell in love and subsequently married his victim, Laura Webber (played by Genie Francis). His portrayal of Luke Spencer on General Hospital was well received and grew into a full contract role. The 1981 on-screen wedding of his character and Laura Webber holds the record as the highest rated soap opera episode of all time.[7]
He holds the distinction of winning a record eight Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series. He was first nominated in 1980, 1981, and had his first win in 1982.[8][9] Geary was nominated again in 1983, before leaving the show in 1984. Over the next several years he took roles in various theater and television productions, as well as in several films, but not at the level of success he had hoped for. Despite the popularity of his work as Luke Spencer, filmmakers such as Oliver Stone pigeonholed Geary based solely on the fact that he was a "soap actor". In a conscious effort to distance himself from GH, he actively sought a role in "Weird Al" Yankovic's film debut UHF (1989), that of the quietly eccentric scientist Philo (named for television pioneer Philo Farnsworth). Geary, a fan of Yankovic, went so far as to grow his hair like Albert Einstein's and stay in character as Philo when meeting the film's casting team; he immediately landed the role.[10]
In 1991, Geary returned to General Hospital as Luke's cousin and look-alike Bill Eckert, due to the actor's desire to play something other than Luke.[7] However, due to poor feedback from the viewing public, the character was killed off and Geary resumed the role of Luke in 1993.[7] Tony appeared in more than 50 stage plays, including an award-winning one-man show titled Human Scratchings in 1996. He was nominated in 1997 and 1998 for Daytime Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor, and had his second win in 1999,[8] and his third in 2000. He received another nomination in 2003, and had his fourth win in 2004.[11] When Geary won for the fifth time in 2006,[9][11] he set the record for most lead actor wins.[7] Geary received another Emmy nomination in 2007, and in 2008, he again set a record for most lead actor wins with his sixth[12] Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor.[13]
Geary set a record in 2012 with his 7th Daytime Emmy win and again in 2015 for his 8th win for Outstanding Leading Actor in a Drama Series after 16 nominations for the same role of General Hospital's Luke Spencer. Geary publicly announced on Friday, May 8, 2015 that he would be leaving his role on General Hospital. Geary finished taping his last scenes on the General Hospital set on Tuesday June 23, 2015. His last airdate was July 27, 2015.[14]
A notable exception from his series of dramatic roles is the part of a scientist/studio engineer in the comedy/spoof movie UHF. He also appeared in 1987's Disorderlies, with rappers the Fat Boys.
Filmography[edit]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | Room 222 | Tom Whalom | Episode: "Choose One & They Lived Happily/Unhappily Ever After" |
| 1971 | All in the Family | Roger | Episode: "Judging Books by Covers" |
| 1971 | Johnny Got His Gun | Redhead | |
| 1971-1972 | Bright Promise | David Lockhart | Soap opera |
| 1972 | Blood Sabbath | David | |
| 1972 | The Mod Squad | Johnson | Episode: "Good Times Are Just Memories" |
| 1972 | The Partridge Family | Greg Houser | Episode: "Ain't Loveth Grand?" |
| 1973 | Mannix | Eddie Decken | Episode: "A Way to Dusty Death" |
| 1973 | Shaft | David Oliver | Episode: "Hit and Run" |
| 1973 | The Young and the Restless | George Curtis | Soap opera |
| 1974 | Doc Elliot | Dennis Graham | Episode: "The Carrier" |
| 1974 | Sorority Kill | Tony | |
| 1971-1975 | Marcus Welby, M.D. | John Gavanelli | 2 episodes |
| 1974-1976 | The Streets of San Francisco | Gary Jelinek / Cajun / Joe Markham | 4 episodes |
| 1976-1977 | Barnaby Jones | Deputy Blake Jeffries / Nelson Mosley / Wilson | 3 episodes |
| 1977 | Most Wanted | Chops | Episode: "The Driver" |
| 1978 | The Return of Captain Nemo | Bork | |
| 1978 | Project U.F.O. TV Series | Darryl Biggs | Episode: "Sighting 4010: The Waterford Incident" |
| 1978 | Starsky & Hutch | Delano | Episode: "The Trap" |
| 1978 | The Six Million Dollar Man | Arta | Episode: "The Lost Island" |
| 1978-1984 1993–2015 2017 |
General Hospital | Luke Spencer | |
| 1983 | Antony and Cleopatra | Octavius Caesar | |
| 1983 | Shaft of Love | Doug Hathaway | |
| 1983 | Intimate Agony | Dr. Kyle Richards | |
| 1984 | Sins of the Past | Lt. Malovich | |
| 1984 | The Impostor | Cade | |
| 1985 | Kicks | Martin Cheevers | |
| 1985 | Hotel | Eli Gilmour / Phil Tanner | 2 episodes |
| 1986 | You Are The Jury | Sam Billings | Episode: "The State of Ohio vs. James Wolsky" |
| 1987 | P.I. Private Investigations | Larry | |
| 1987 | Disorderlies | Winslow Lowry | |
| 1987 | Penitentiary III | Serenghetti | |
| 1987 | Perry Mason: The Case of the Murdered Madam | Steve Reynolds | |
| 1988 | You Can't Hurry Love | Tony | |
| 1988 | Pass the Ammo | Stonewall | |
| 1988 | It Takes Two | Wheel | |
| 1988 | Dangerous Love | Mickey | |
| 1989 | UHF | Philo | |
| 1989 | Night Life | John Devlin | |
| 1989 | Do You Know the Muffin Man? | Stephen Pugliotti | |
| 1989 | High Desert Kill | Dr. Jim Cole | |
| 1989 | Crack House | Dockett | |
| 1989-1990 | Murder, She Wrote | Eric Grant / KGB Lt. Fyodor Alexandrov | 2 episodes |
| 1990 | Sunset Beat | Uncredited Role | Made For TV Movie |
| 1990 | Sunset Beat | Uncredited Role | Episode: "One Down, Four Up" (TV Series) |
| 1991-1993 | General Hospital | Bill Eckert (Also played by Geary in a Dual Role) | Soap opera |
| 1991 | Night of the Warrior | Lynch | |
| 1991 | Scorchers | Preacher | |
| 1993 | Whistlestop Girl | Andy | |
| 1994 | Roseanne | Luke Spencer | Episode: "Suck Up or Shut Up" |
| 1995 | Burke's Law | Clayton Cole | Episode: "Who Killed the Centerfold?" |
| 1998 | Port Charles | Luke Spencer | |
| 2004 | Teacher's Pet | John / Juan | voice |
| 2005 | Carpool Guy | Carpool Guy | |
| 2008 | General Hospital: Night Shift | Luke Spencer | Episode: "Past and Presence", (Part One & Part Two) |
| 2009 | Fish Tank | Van Man | |
| 2013 | Alice and the Monster | George |
Awards and nominations[edit]
| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Soapy Award | Best Actor | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Soapy Award | Best Actor | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Soapy Awards | Best Actor | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Soap Opera Digest Award | Outstanding Lead Actor | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Soap Opera Digest Award | Outstanding Lead Actor | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Soap Opera Digest Award | Outstanding Lead Actor | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Soap Opera Digest Award | Outstanding Lead Actor | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | America's Favorite Couple (shared with Genie Francis) | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| TV Land Award | Most Wonderful Wedding (shared with Genie Francis) | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Won | ||
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series | General Hospital | Nominated |
References[edit]
- ^ "The New York Times". The New York Times.
- ^ "General Hospital's Anthony Geary: "We'd Been Living on Death Row" - Today's News: Our Take". TVGuide.com. 2012-07-26. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards 2015 winners: 'General Hospital' wins big as Anthony Geary takes home record 200th award - Zap2it". Blog.zap2it.com. 2012-06-23. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ Zumberge, Marianne. "Anthony Geary to Exit 'General Hospital'". Variety.com. Variety. Retrieved 9 December 2017.
- ^ Anthony Geary profile, filmreference.com; accessed August 31, 2014.
- ^ "Anthony Geary biography". Movies.yahoo.com. Retrieved 2013-07-08.
- ^ a b c d West, Abby (2008-03-31). "Tony Geary Reflects on 30 Years of GH". Entertainment Weekly. ew.com. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "Lucci Gets Her First Emmy". The Seattle Times. seattletimes.com. Associated Press. 1999-05-22. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ a b "DeGeneres, 'General Hospital' win Emmys". MSNBC. msnbc.com. Associated Press. 2006-05-03. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ http://www.avclub.com/article/we-got-it-all-uhf-oral-history-weird-al-yankovics--215579
- ^ a b "Photo Gallery". LA Times. latimes.com. 2008-06-04. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ "Daytime Emmy nominations snub Anthony Geary and (oh, no!) poor Betty White". Gold Derby/LA Times. goldderby.latimes.com. 2010-05-12. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ TV Guide News (2008-06-21). "Backstage at the Daytime Emmys Brings Laughs, Tears". TV Guide. tvguide.com. Retrieved September 8, 2012.
- ^ "Anthony Geary's General Hospital goodbye: See the video - EW.com". Entertainment Weekly's EW.com.
- ^ a b c "The Soap Opera Digest Awards History". Celebrating The Soaps. celebratingthesoaps.net. Archived from the original on March 22, 2015. Retrieved March 22, 2015.
- ^ "1981 Emmy Winners & Nominees". Soap Opera Digest. New York City: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 18, 2004. Retrieved May 19, 2013.
- ^ Clark, Kenneth R. (June 12, 1982). "Daytime Emmys Inspire Emotions". Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania: E. W. Scripps Company. p. 155. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ^ Goudas, John N. (June 4, 1983). "The best on daytime TV won't be seen on daytime TV". The Miami News. Miami, Florida: Cox Enterprises. p. 47. Retrieved May 18, 2013.
- ^ "1997 Emmy Winners & Nominees". Soap Opera Digest. New York City, New York: American Media, Inc. Archived from the original on August 18, 2004. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ Littleton, Cynthia (March 11, 1998). "ABC tops Emmy noms". Variety. Los Angeles, California: Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Lucci wins!". The Day. New London, Connecticut: The Day Publishing Company. Associated Press. May 22, 1999. p. 8. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (February 28, 1999). "'General Hospital' named favorite soap at awards". The Argus-Press. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ Bernstein, Paula (May 22, 2000). "'Million' mints Emmy". Variety. Los Angeles: Penske Business Media. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ Associated Press (March 11, 2000). "'General Hospital' wins 5 honors". The Vindicator. Retrieved February 10, 2013.
- ^ "Nominees for Daytime Emmys". USA Today. Tysons Corner, Virginia: Gannett Company. Associated Press. March 12, 2003. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "DeGeneres wins Emmy for best talk show". MSNBC. New York City: NBCUniversal. Associated Press. May 28, 2004. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ "Ellen DeGeneres repeats sweep of Daytime Emmys". Kentucky New Era. Los Angeles: Taylor W. Hayes. Associated Press. May 1, 2006. p. 8. Retrieved May 6, 2013.
- ^ Bonawitz, Amy (February 11, 2009). "34th Annual Daytime Emmy Winners". New York City: CBS News. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved January 8, 2013.
- ^ Silverman, Stephen M. (June 21, 2008). "Ellen DeGeneres, Tyra Banks Win Daytime Emmys". People. New York City: Time Inc. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 7, 2013.
- ^ "The 36th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 14, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 5, 2013.
- ^ "Daytime Emmy Awards 2012: The Winners List". The Hollywood Reporter. New York City: Prometheus Global Media. June 23, 2012. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved December 31, 2012.
- ^ "The 42nd Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Winners". Burbank: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. April 26, 2015. Archived from the original on April 27, 2015. Retrieved April 26, 2015.
- ^ "The 43rd Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations" (PDF). New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. March 24, 2016. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 24, 2016. Retrieved March 24, 2016.
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