When Tristan Rogers walked onto the set of General Hospital for what would become his final day of filming, no one knew just how powerful those moments would be. The veteran actor, beloved by millions as Robert Scorpio, passed away on August 15th, 2025, following a battle with lung cancer. But before his death, he gave fans one last gift—an unforgettable performance that carried even greater weight once viewers realized what he had endured just to be there.

His final scenes aired on July 18th, and they were unlike any other. Frail but determined, Rogers appeared on screen alongside Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) and Sofia Mattsson (Sasha Corbin). In the storyline, Jason helps escort Sasha and her baby daughter halfway across the world to Robert Scorpio and Holly Sutton’s home in Europe. When the door opened and Robert appeared, audiences saw more than a character—they saw a man fighting against time to leave his mark one last time.

For Steve Burton, the experience was deeply personal. In a heartfelt tribute posted on Instagram, Burton reflected on what it meant to be with Rogers in those final hours on set.

“If you know, you know Robert Scorpio,” Burton wrote. “Tristan Rogers … The man. The legend. The OG.”

Burton shared how honored he felt to work alongside the Australian-born star as he filmed his last scenes, but more importantly, to spend meaningful time with him off camera. “I’m truly honored that I had the chance to work alongside Tristan on his very last day at work. Not only that, I got to spend real time with him… just making sure he was taken care of,” he wrote.

Though Rogers was visibly weakened, his spirit never wavered. “You could see he was going through it, but the strength he showed to still be there… it spoke volumes,” Burton said. “Most people in that situation might have said, ‘Stay home, take care of yourself.’ But for Tristan, General Hospital was his home. And there was no place he would rather have been.”

Even on that difficult day, Rogers brought light and humor to the set. “Even though he wasn’t feeling his best, he would joke around, still giving us a piece of who he was. That’s the mark of a true legend,” Burton recalled.

It was a fitting description for a man whose career spanned decades and whose character became a cornerstone of daytime television. Robert Scorpio wasn’t just another role—he was an icon, a hero, and a symbol of resilience that resonated with audiences for generations.

For Burton, the impact of Rogers went beyond their shared time on General Hospital. The two had crossed paths multiple times throughout their careers, even appearing together on The Young and the Restless years earlier. Rogers, Burton noted, paved the way for actors like him.

“Tristan, thank you for everything you did,” Burton wrote in closing. “You paved the way for guys like me. Rest easy, my friend. Your light and laughter live on.”

Fans felt the same. Social media filled with tributes, stories, and memories of Rogers—both the man and the character. Many pointed out how his final appearance on General Hospital now felt almost poetic: Robert Scorpio, standing strong, welcoming family into his home, just as Rogers himself had welcomed countless colleagues and fans into his world across his storied career.

In the end, Tristan Rogers didn’t just play a role. He embodied a spirit that defined an era of daytime drama. His final performance wasn’t about perfect delivery or physical strength—it was about presence, commitment, and love for the work that had defined so much of his life.

That’s why his departure struck such a deep chord. It reminded viewers that behind every character is a person with their own battles, sacrifices, and triumphs. And Tristan Rogers’ final act was nothing short of heroic.

Though the doors of Robert Scorpio’s home closed in that July 18th episode, they opened something lasting in the hearts of fans—a memory of a man who chose courage over comfort, passion over pain, and legacy over everything else.

For Steve Burton and countless others, Tristan Rogers will never just be remembered as Robert Scorpio. He will be remembered as a friend, a mentor, a pioneer, and most of all, a legend.