In the nearly six-decade history of General Hospital, few names carry as much weight as Anthony Geary. The man who brought the legendary Luke Spencer to life redefined the daytime leading man, winning a record-breaking eight Daytime Emmys and creating a cultural phenomenon alongside Genie Francis. When Geary passed away on December 14, 2025, the soap opera world was plunged into a state of “Total Chaos” and mourning. On February 20, 2026, the show aired a standalone tribute episode that left viewers in tears, but it wasn’t just the seasoned veterans who moved the audience. While icons like Genie Francis and Maurice Benard delivered powerful performances, it was newcomer Alexa Havins (Lulu Spencer) who truly stole the show—for a reason that is as impressive as it is heartbreaking.

Alexa Havins never actually met Anthony Geary.

Despite this lack of a personal connection, Havins was tasked with anchoring the tribute episode. Her character, Lulu Spencer, had been in a coma when Luke died off-screen in 2022, meaning she was the only member of the Spencer family who had never properly grieved. This narrative choice provided a “Secret Mirror” for the audience: as Lulu processed her father’s death for the first time, fans were given a space to process Geary’s real-life passing.

The “Insane Pressure” of a Legacy

For Alexa Havins, who took over the role of Lulu in 2024, the prospect of leading a tribute to a man she only knew through clips was a source of “Horror and Suspense.” She admitted to feeling “insane pressure” and fear, knowing that the “Lulus” who came before her—Julie Marie Berman and Emme Rylan—had years of shared history and “Secret Messages” with Geary on set.

To prepare for the role, Havins spent hours backstage watching Geary’s final episode from 2015, specifically the iconic moment where Luke walks off into the fog on the pier. She described being “moved by his brilliance and simplicity,” using that remote connection to fuel her performance. When the cameras rolled, the “Secret Identity” of the actress vanished, leaving only a daughter desperate for closure.

A Masterclass in Emotional Resonance

The tribute episode was a journey through the “Blizzard of 2026” of the soul. Lulu, triggered by a simple photograph of her father, gathered the people who knew him best: Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), Laura Collins (Genie Francis), Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard), Carly Spencer (Laura Wright), and Elizabeth Webber (Rebecca Herbst).

The scenes between Havins and Jane Elliot were particularly poignant. In a moment of “Total Chaos” for her character, Havins asked Elliot if they could do another take, telling the soap legend, “I just want to honor your friend.” This dedication to the “Reckoning” of Luke Spencer’s legacy is what allowed Havins to hold her own against actors who were channeling genuine, real-world grief. While Genie Francis spoke to Luke as the love of her life, Havins spoke to him as the father she finally had to let go.

The “Port Charles Miracle” of a Fresh Perspective

Because Havins hadn’t worked with Geary, she was able to approach the tribute with a “Secret Message” of universal grief. She didn’t have the “baggage” of personal memories, which allowed her to play Lulu’s discovery of her father’s death with a raw, unfiltered intensity. Fans on social media have been “singing her praises,” noting that a new viewer would never know she hadn’t spent years opposite Geary.

The episode culminated in a collective toast that felt like a “Port Charles Miracle.” As the characters shared anecdotes and laughs, the audience was reminded that Anthony Geary wasn’t just an actor; he was a “force of nature” who changed the landscape of television. By centering the episode on Lulu’s delayed grief, the writers allowed the “Horror” of Geary’s loss to transform into a beautiful “Reckoning” of his impact.

Conclusion: A Tip of the Hat to a Titan

The Anthony Geary tribute was a “love letter to the fans,” but it was also a star-making turn for Alexa Havins. She proved that she understands the “nuances” of the Spencer family legacy, carrying the weight of a legendary history with grace and humility. As Lulu saw the “ghost” of Luke walking away from the docks in the final frame, the audience knew that both the character and the actor had been given the farewell they deserved.

Anthony Geary is gone, but through the eyes of the daughter who never met him, his “Secret Identity” as the king of Port Charles will live on forever.