Anthony Geary, the eight-time Daytime Emmy winner best known for his role as Luke Spencer on the long-running soap opera General Hospital, died at 78 from complications related to a medical procedure.

According to NPR, Geary died as a result of complications stemming from a surgical procedure performed three days earlier.

Per Cureus, Studies show that surgical complications affect roughly 22% to over 40% of patients, depending on the procedure and patient health. Risks are higher for older adults, people with chronic conditions, higher body weight, and those undergoing major or emergency surgeries.

The most common complications include:

Infections, such as surgical site infections, pneumonia, and UTIs

Breathing problems, including pneumonia or respiratory failure

Heart and circulation issues, like heart attacks, strokes, and blood clots

Wound problems, such as bleeding or slow healing

Other issues, including pain, nausea, kidney injury, sepsis, and bowel problemsRisk also depends on the type of surgery. Cardiac and upper gastrointestinal surgeries tend to carry higher complication rates, while procedures like orthopedic or breast surgery generally have lower risks.

The news was confirmed by his husband, Claudio Gama, in a statement to TV Insider. “It was a shock for me and our families and our friends. For more than 30 years, Tony has been my friend, my companion, my husband.”

Anthony Geary was an acclaimed American actor best known for his decades-long portrayal of Luke Spencer on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital, a role that made him one of the most iconic figures in soap opera history. Born on May 29, 1947, in Coalville, Utah, Geary developed an early interest in acting and studied theater at the University of Utah before moving to Los Angeles to pursue a professional career.