Soap Opera Icon Chris Robinson Passes Away at 86
Chris Robinson, one of daytime television's most enduring faces, has died at the age of 86. He passed peacefully in his sleep from heart failure on June 9, 2025, at his ranch just outside Sedona, Arizona. The news was confirmed by his friend and fellow actor MJ Allen, who worked with Robinson in the 2022 independent film "Just for a Week." His passing marks the end of an era for soap lovers and TV fans alike.
Robinson’s legacy as Dr. Rick Webber on General Hospital is the stuff of soap opera legend. For fans, his face was as familiar as family. He became a fixture in living rooms across the country, offering a sense of continuity during decades of wild plotlines and cast changes. He not only entertained viewers but connected generations over storylines that became part of everyday conversation.
Before he made his name in soaps, Robinson broke into Hollywood alongside some serious heavyweights. In the early 1960s, he landed roles in major films such as "The Young Savages" and "Birdman of Alcatraz," sharing the screen with Burt Lancaster. Those classic movies gave him his first taste of the spotlight and helped launch a career that would last more than fifty years.
It’s not just the small screen where Robinson left his mark. Over time, he racked up more than 100 film and TV credits. Versatile and always working, he gravitated to characters that had heart and complexity, making each one memorable. Many outside the soap world might still remember him from guest spots, movies, and even commercials sprinkled across the decades.
A Life in and out of the Headlines
But Robinson’s story wasn’t all smooth sailing. In the mid-1980s, his name hit the headlines for very different reasons. Convicted of income tax evasion in 1985, he served time behind bars. Yet, thanks to a unique work-release program, he continued to film his part on "General Hospital" during the day while serving his sentence at night. For many, this real-life twist blurred the line between actor and the dramatic storylines he portrayed. Few actors have ever balanced serving time with appearing on national television.
Robinson’s private life was equally eventful. He found love multiple times, marrying three times in total. He leaves behind five sons, drawing his family even closer to the TV world. His son Taylor Joseph Robinson followed in his father’s footsteps, portraying C.J. Garrison on "The Bold and the Beautiful." Clearly, the acting bug runs deep in the Robinson family.
Off set, Robinson had passions beyond TV scripts and film sets. Married to artist and actress Jacquie Shane Robinson, he surrounded himself with creativity at home. Friends and colleagues say he rarely missed a beat, staying energetic and invested in his work for much longer than many in the business. Even into his eighties, he was acting, writing, and occasionally directing, giving back to both Hollywood and the indie film scene.
Though Robinson's team hasn’t made an official public statement, the flood of remembrances from fans and collaborators shows what he meant to generations of soap fans. His ability to juggle drama both on and off screen, his prolific output, and his deeply human performances give him a spot in daytime TV history. It’s rare for someone to truly move the needle in an industry that thrives on change, but Chris Robinson did.
