Saying goodbye is never easy, especially if one is saying goodbye to someone--or something--they have been with for 37 years. Such is the case for "General Hospital" star Anthony Geary.

The ABC soap opera "General Hospital" has been on-air since 1963 and Anthony Geary joined the cast in 1978 as the unmatched Luke Lorenzo Spencer, brother of former prostitute and nurse Bobbie Spencer (Jacklyn Zeman). His romance with Laura (Stacey Baldwin/Genie Francis) in the 1970s helped ease the soap opera into popularity.

In attempts to put a stopper in her relationship with Scott Baldwin, Luke raped Laura at the Campus Disco--a scene both shocking and controversial. Fans of the show, though, found themselves rooting for him as he slowly falls in love with Laura. This led to a massive 30 million viewership of their wedding in 1981, a record yet to be broken for daytime TV.

It was this success and the undeniable bond among the cast that led to a teary farewell for Luke actor Anthony Geary. After shooting his final "General Hospital" scene just a little after noon last June 23, Tuesday, Geary was celebrated by the 200 cast and crew of the daytime soap.

Executive Producer Frank Valentini showed a video that collated some of his memorable scenes in the past three decades--including his very first scene opposite Bobbie--and goodbye messages from co-stars and co-ABC celebrities. And even though Geary says he did not intend to cry, who could not with such a warm goodbye.

Having earned eight Emmys in his portrayal of Luke, Geary says it has been a good ride with his character and now is the time to say goodbye. Entertainment Weekly quotes him, "I'm excited to raise the curtain on act 3, to reinvent myself in my new home to pursue whatever opportunity there may be. It's an exciting prospect to me. They've done a wonderful job of wrapping up the character. So this seems like the ideal time to go."

Anthony Geary's Luke Spencer will see his final act on TV later this summer.