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Chris Robinson, Beloved ‘General Hospital’ Star, Dies at 86
Chris Robinson, a veteran soap actor best known for his roles as Dr. Rick Webber on the daytime drama “General Hospital” and Jack Hamilton on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” has died at the age of 86.
As reported by People, Robinson passed away peacefully in his sleep early Monday morning at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona. His death was announced in a Facebook post by longtime collaborator and friend MJ Allen on a “General Hospital” fan page.
In the touching tribute, Allen shared that the actor’s official cause of death was heart failure, a condition he had been battling for “some time” and celebrated Robinson’s successful career in the television and film industry.
The two had worked together on what would become Robinson’s final film credit, the 2022 movie “Just for a Week.”
Career Spanning Eight Decades
Robinson began his acting career as a teenager with an uncredited role in the 1957 film “The Midnight Story.” Per IMDb, he amassed more than 100 film and television credits over the next 60+ years, establishing himself as one of the most enduring faces in Hollywood.
One of the soap star’s earliest breakout roles came in the 1960s when he starred as a World War II bomber pilot on the popular ABC drama “12 O’Clock High.” But it was his long-running soap opera stints that cemented his place in pop culture. Robinson became a household name during his time on “General Hospital,” where he played Dr. Rick Webber. He also appeared on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” expanding his soap legacy.
Reflecting on his contributions to “General Hospital,” the legendary series posted a poignant tribute to the star on their official Instagram account, writing, “General Hospital’s enduring legacy owes a debt of gratitude to Chris Robinson and his portrayal of Dr. Rick Webber. Our hearts go out to his family and friends as they mourn their loss. May he rest in peace.”
Robinson famously starred in a Vicks Formula 44 commercial during his “General Hospital” tenure, delivering the now-iconic line: “I’m not a doctor but I do play one on TV.”
In addition to his soap work, Robinson made guest appearances on a variety of hit series including “Another World,” “Murder, She Wrote,” “Fantasy Island,” “The Dream Merchants,” “Primus” and “Insight.”
Family and Legacy
Robinson is survived by his wife of 14 years, artist Jacquie Shane-Robinson. According to TMZ, he leaves behind a large family, including sons Shane, Coby, Christian, Taylor, Christopher Robinson, Christopher Lance, and his adopted son, Robb Walker. He also had five grandchildren.
His death marks the loss of a true television pioneer whose work touched multiple generations of fans.
