'General Hospital' Icon Chris Robinson Found Dead
Chris Robinson, the soap opera heartthrob who captivated millions as Dr. Rick Webber on "General Hospital," has died — and the daytime world is reeling. The actor, known for his gravel voice, smoldering stare, and unforgettable line, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV," passed away in his sleep at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona, on June 9. He was 86.
A Quiet Goodbye From a Daytime Legend
According to filmmaker MJ Allen — who worked alongside Robinson in the 2022 movie "Just for a Week" — the actor died peacefully at 12:30 a.m. of heart failure, a condition he had been battling privately for awhile.
"Prolific Hollywood actor Chris Robinson has passed away," Allen wrote in a Facebook tribute, according to the New York Post. "He had been in heart failure for some time, and [that] is his official cause of death."
The Man Who Played Rick Webber — And So Much More
Robinson's death marks the end of an era for soap fans.
He first rose to fame in the '60s with supporting roles in "12 O'Clock High" and "Birdman of Alcatraz," but it was in 1978 that he made TV history — joining "General Hospital" as Dr. Rick Webber, husband to Dr. Lesley Webber (played by the late Denise Alexander) and adoptive father to Laura Spencer (Genie Francis).
The role made him a daytime staple, and by the '80s, he was a household name — not just for his soap work, but for his now-iconic Vicks Formula 44 ad.
"I'm not a doctor, but I do play one on TV," he said in the commercial, earning a place in pop culture that few actors ever reach.
Scandal, Survival, and a Return to Glory
Behind the scenes, Robinson's life wasn't always as polished as his on-screen persona.
In 1985, he pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion but somehow stayed on the air — serving his four-month sentence via a prison work-release program that let him film "General Hospital" during the day and return to jail at night.
Despite the scandal, fans stood by him. And Robinson returned to "General Hospital" for special episodes as late as 2022 — a testament to his enduring popularity and the complex legacy he left behind.
From Daytime Romance to Primetime Drama
Robinson also played Jack Hamilton on "The Bold and the Beautiful" from 1992 to 2005, and briefly appeared on "Another World" as Jason Frame.
His résumé reads like a tour through the golden age of American television — guest-starring on everything from "Gunsmoke" to "The Fugitive," "The Man from U.N.C.L.E.," and "Medical Center."
He racked up more than 100 TV and film credits, appearing in cult classics like "The Cycle Savages" and fan favorites like "Savannah Smiles."
And in 2022, he went out with a quiet but powerful performance as Ted Hurst in "Just for a Week" — his final screen role, and a fitting bookend to a five-decade-long career.
A Sudden Loss in a Season of Grief
Robinson's death follows the recent losses of Denise Alexander, who passed just a month ago, and Leslie Charleson, who passed five months earlier — both actresses portrayed his on-screen love interests.
"General Hospital's enduring legacy owes a debt of gratitude to Chris Robinson," the show wrote in a statement, according to the New York Post. "Our hearts go out to his family and friends as they mourn their loss. May he rest in peace."
He is survived by his fourth wife, Jacquie Shane-Robinson, and six sons, Shane, Coby, Christian, Taylor, Christopher Robinson, and Christopher Lance. He also leaves behind five grandchildren.
In life and on screen, Chris Robinson left a mark that won't soon fade — a true leading man whose final curtain call reminds us why the great ones are never forgotten.
References: Chris Robinson, 'General Hospital' and 'Bold and the Beautiful' star, dead at 86 | Chris Robinson, General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful Actor, Dies at 86 | Leslie Charleson, who starred on 'General Hospital' for nearly 50 years, dies at 79
