The halls of General Hospital have always been filled with ghosts of the past, but none loom quite as large as the roguish, diamond-in-the-rough legend that was Luke Spencer. For decades, Anthony Geary didn’t just play a character; he channeled a force of nature that transformed daytime television into a global phenomenon.

Following the tragic real-world passing of the eight-time Daytime Emmy winner on December 14, 2025, the soap community has been in a state of mourning, waiting for a tribute that could possibly do justice to a career that spanned nearly forty years. Today, that wait finally has an end date. ABC has officially confirmed that a “long-promised, loving montage” dedicated to the life and work of Anthony Geary will air on Thursday, January 22nd.

This announcement comes as a vital healing moment for “generational lovely folk” who have followed the Spencer family saga since its inception. While the show previously aired a rebroadcast of Geary’s final 2015 episode on New Year’s Day, that gesture was met with mixed reviews due to regional broadcast issues and a feeling that a single episode couldn’t capture the sheer breadth of Geary’s contribution to the craft.

The upcoming montage, curated by the production team under the guidance of ABC Current Programming Executive Nathan Varni, is designed to be a definitive, emotional retrospective. It isn’t just a clip show; it is a meticulously crafted narrative of a man who, alongside Genie Francis, redefined the concept of the “supercouple.”

The timing of this tribute is particularly poignant. In the “current climate” of Port Charles, where characters are navigating an “imbalanced, precarious, and vulnerable world,” the memory of Luke Spencer serves as a reminder of the show’s golden era.

For many, Luke was the ultimate survivor—a man who faced down the Cassadines, survived the mob, and eventually found peace within his own splintered psyche. The montage is expected to trace this evolution, from his 1978 debut to the world-stopping 1981 wedding that drew 30 million viewers, and finally to the complex “Fluke” storyline that showcased Geary’s unrivaled range.

One of the most anticipated aspects of the January 22nd broadcast is the inclusion of rare footage and classic interactions that have been tucked away in the archives for years. Fans are hoping to see the legendary “dance” with his beloved sister Bobbie Spencer (played by the late Jackie Zeman), the high-stakes adventures with Robert Scorpio (Tristan Rogers), and the tender, often difficult moments with his children, Lucky and Lulu.

It is a tall order to fit forty years of brilliance into a single montage, but the production team has reportedly focused on the “heart” of the character—the moments where Geary’s “passion for the truth,” as Genie Francis recently described it, shone through most clearly.

The emotional weight of this tribute is amplified by the recent string of losses the show has endured. With the passings of both Tristan Rogers and Anthony Geary in late 2025, the show is grappling with the departure of its most “consistent and reliable” pillars.

As Nathan Varni recently hinted on social media, the team is working tirelessly to ensure these icons receive a “proper send-off.” While the character of Luke was unceremoniously killed off-screen in a cable car accident in 2022, this montage serves as the true memorial—a way for the audience to say goodbye to the man, not just the character, in a “safe, moderate space” of shared memory.

For the 250 “awesome people” who work on the set of General Hospital, this project is a labor of love. Many of the crew members worked alongside Geary for decades and remember him not as the untouchable star, but as the kind, appreciative, and “hilariously funny” colleague who pushed everyone to be better.

That internal culture of respect is the foundation of the show’s longevity, and it is that same spirit that is being poured into the January 22nd presentation. The montage isn’t just for the fans; it is for the family that Geary left behind at Prospect Studios.

As we look toward Thursday, January 22nd, the excitement is tinged with a beautiful sadness. We are reminded of Geary’s own words during his final days on set, where he admitted it was difficult to realize his legacy would forever be tied to “Luke of Luke and Laura fame.” Yet, he concluded that it had been “a really exciting ride” and “well worth it.”

This upcoming montage is the audience’s chance to agree. It is a moment to celebrate a man who moved to Amsterdam to find his own peace, leaving behind a body of work that will forever be the benchmark for excellence in daytime drama.

In a world that often feels “precarious,” there is something deeply comforting about returning to Port Charles to honor one of its own. Whether you tune in every day or haven’t seen an episode in years, this Thursday is a mandatory viewing event.

It is a chance to witness the “anti-hero” one last time, to see the roguish grin that could melt a thousand hearts, and to bid a final, loving farewell to the “sweet prince” of daytime television. Grab your tissues, set your DVRs, and prepare to be part of television history once again.