Anthony Geary Says He's Leaving General Hospital After 28 Years of Playing Luke Spencer

67-year-old actor has played Luke Spencer on and off since 1978

Luuuuuke!

General Hospital star Anthony Geary says in a new interview that he plans on leaving the long-running soap opera when his current contract expires, the now 67-year-old actor having played Luke Spencer for the majority of the past three decades.

And it apparently the eight-time Daytime Emmy winner made the decision because he prefers that his real-life demise not come in dramatic soap fashion.

"The people at ABC and at GH have been amazingly good to me, allowing me to live on two continents and treating me, for the most part, extremely well," Geary told TV Insider about his plans. "This show has been a huge part of my life for over half my life and Luke Spencer is my alter ego.

"But I'm just weary of the grind and have been for 20 years. There was a point after my back surgery last year where it became clear to me that my time is not infinite. And I really don't want to die, collapsing in a heap, on that GH set one day. That wouldn't be too poetic."

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini tells E! News in a statement, "Tony recently made his intentions clear that he would vacate his role of Luke Spencer this year, and it was a decision he did not come to lightly. After 37 years on the air, Tony felt this was the right time to bid adieu to Luke Spencer, Port Charles and General Hospital. Anthony is our friend and a part of our television family, but, as difficult as this may be, we understand and respect that this is his choice. Rest assured, Tony has promised to be with us throughout the summer as we have some exciting things in store for Luke. The door will always remain open, so don't think this is the last you'll see of Anthony Geary or Luke Spencer."

So that at least sounds as though his remaining episodes this summer won't involve the kiss of death...

Luke of course has led quite the turbulent life since he and Laura tied the knot in Port Charles in front of millions of rabid viewers in 1981, so we expect his exit to be quite the emotional experience.

Geary, who said he made his decision this past January, will continue shooting through June and episodes with him will air through July.

Predicting what his exit will entail for Luke's more recent love, Tracy Quartermaine, played by Jane Elliot, Geary promised, "It's going to lead to the most wonderful, ass-kicking performance from her, and nobody kicks ass like Jane."