Q: With this being the last week for Tony Geary (who plays Luke Spencer) on "General Hospital," do you have any thoughts on the actor? — Roberta of Salem, Mass.

A: About a million. I first saw him on "Bright Promise," when he played a young man, falsely labeled as a slow learner, who was mute. Watching him for the nine months he played this tortured soul I knew he was a star. So did Gloria Monty, who was a director on that show. Monty was the executive producer of "General Hospital," which made Geary the acting icon he became.

When Geary started on "General Hospital," he played the sleazy, drug-running owner of a disco. At the time, Scott (played by Kin Shriner) was the hero of the show. I wrote that Geary was going to take over as the male lead. His Luke was an amazing antihero for over three decades.

There is something about Geary that no matter what or who is in the scene with him he takes over.

Great acting is not told in those major dramatic moments, but in the subtle beats. One scene I recall was after Jason's accident. Luke visited the hospital room of the comatose teen and kissed him gently on the forehead. Just thinking of that scene makes me misty-eyed.

Behind the scenes he was not always happy. He went from being a character actor to a soap stud. He was ill prepared for all the attention. He has admitted that in the 80s he dabbled in drugs and booze. He once told me that he couldn't believe his body survived all the stuff he did.

I recall one time when I was doing a live interview I thought it seemed like he was coming down off a cocaine high.

He left that life behind. As for Luke and Laura, the popularity of the couple took him by surprise. He was to stay for a 13-week cycle. The magic that is Tony Geary as an actor took over.

Those who have worked with him call him a generous and giving actor, an actor who keeps them on their toes. You never knew where he was going, but it was always a great ride. Monty gave him free rein when it came to dialogue, unless a line was necessary to a forthcoming plot point.

Over the years I felt sad that he was not always happy with his success. Then came Amsterdam. For six months every year he stayed in a city that allowed him freedom.

I would be remiss if I did not thank him. Years ago there was a PR guy at "General Hospital" who would not give me the time of day. I was covering the Daytime Emmy awards. I was in the hallway with the flock. Geary walked by, saw me and said, "Hello, Lynda. How are you doing?" Suddenly I became the PR guy's golden girl, worthy of scoops and interviews. Thank you for that, Tony, and all the great interviews and all the great acting.

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.