Sad News mixed with Sad News: Beloved “General Hospital” Legend Passes Away at 86
Chris Robinson, who starred on General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful, has died. He was 86.
Robinson’s death was announced by actor and musician MJ Allen — who starred with the late actor in the 2022 film Just for a Week — on Facebook
“He peacefully passed in his sleep at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona,” Allen shared of Robinson in the social media tribute. “He had been in heart failure for some time, and [it] is his official cause of death.”
Throughout his career, Robinson had more than 100 roles on television and feature films.
The actor’s career in Hollywood began with roles in The Young Savages and Birdman of Alcatraz, which both starred Burt Lancaster, in the early 1960s.
He went on to land his first series regular role on the ABC military drama 12 O’Clock High in 1967. The actor starred as Sgt. Alexander “Sandy” Komansky during the show’s second and third seasons.
More than a decade later, he began portraying Dr. Rick Webber on General Hospital in 1978. He appeared on the popular soap opera on and off until 2013.
During his time on the series, Robinson became known as a pitchman in a Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercial. He famously said, “I’m not a doctor but I do play one on TV,” which became a catchphrase.
However, he was later replaced by All My Children’s Peter Bergman amid his tax evasion scandal.
Robinson returned to General Hospital in 2022. His character’s demise was when he was beaten to death with a candlestick by Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner).
Beyond General Hospital, Robinson also landed roles on two other beloved soap operas.
The Florida native joined the cast of Another World as Jason Frame in the late 1980s before landing the role of Jack Hamilton on The Bold and the Beautiful, the father of Taylor Hayes, which he portrayed from 1992 to 2005.
He also had guest roles on shows including Sea Hunt, Death Valley Days, 77 Sunset Strip, Gunsmoke, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Hogan’s Heroes, Medical Center and Barnaby Jones.
On the big screen, he appeared in films such as Because They’re Young, The Long Rope, Shootout at Big Sag, Lady in Cement, The Cycle Savages, The Hawaiians, Revenge Is My Destiny, Amy, and Savannah Smiles.
His final role was Ted Hurst in Just for a Week in 2022.
He is survived by his wife, Jacquie, and his children Shane, Coby, Christian, Christopher, Chris, and Taylor, and grandchildren.
