Robert Palmer Watkins who portrayed Dillon Quartermaine who we saw in Anthony Geary’s final episode that re-aired today talks about his relationship with Anthony and what it meant seeing the episode re-aired
Happy New Year, everyone! In honor of @generalhospitalabc re-airing Anthony Geary’s farewell episode today, I wanted to share a memory.
I remember shooting this episode and feeling the weight of Geary leaving the show. I was such a newbie, and he was truly a LEGEND. When we wrapped filming, the entire cast and crew celebrated him with a party and cake on the soundstage. I looked over at @emmerylan and said, “I mean, I’ve gotta get a picture with him, right?!” She encouraged me—and of course, Geary humbly and graciously embraced us all.
In that moment, I was reminded of just how much of an icon he was on the show, with everyone swarming around him. But on set, in our scenes, working together day to day, he treated me—and everyone—as part of a team. We were all artists trying to create something together. Even on my very first day, I was thrown straight into a scene with Geary and Jane Elliott, and he treated me as an equal immediately.
Within the first few weeks of working together, we were chatting and he asked how I was doing. He didn’t say much, but what he did say was impactful. He offered encouragement without oversharing or preaching. He simply said, “You’re good.” It meant the world to me. Another time, during an intense scene where we were nearly physically fighting, he suggested I push against his chest as we started the take to build the energy the scene required. I loved working with him.
After decades of playing Luke, he still loved it and gave it his all—even with a kid like me.
Here’s to you, Geary. What an adventure you lived. I’m so grateful I got to work with you.