Television has lost one of its beloved icons. Chris Robinson, best remembered for his long-running roles on General Hospital and The Bold and the Beautiful, has d*ed at the age of 86.
The actor passed away peacefully in his sleep on June 9, 2025, at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona, according to longtime friend and collaborator MJ Allen. The two had worked together on the 2022 film Just for a Week, in which Robinson played the lead role.
Allen shared the news in a heartfelt Facebook post, calling Robinson a “prolific Hollywood actor” and confirming that he had been in heart failure for some time before his death. That condition was listed as the official cause.
Robinson’s decades-spanning career made him a familiar face on both daytime television and primetime screens. Born on November 5, 1938, in West Palm Beach, Florida, he first made waves in the entertainment world in 1965 when he starred as Technical Sgt. Sandy Komansky in the WWII series 12 O’Clock High.
But it was his turn as Dr. Rick Webber on ABC’s General Hospital that launched him into daytime stardom. Joining the cast in 1978, Robinson played the complex character who became the adoptive father of Laura Spencer, one of the show’s most iconic figures. He remained with General Hospital until 1986.
“General Hospital’s enduring legacy owes a debt of gratitude to Chris Robinson and his portrayal of Dr. Rick Webber,” the show’s official X (formerly Twitter) account posted in tribute. “Our hearts go out to his family and friends as they mourn their loss. May he rest in peace.”
Following his success on General Hospital, Robinson took on the role of Jack Hamilton on The Bold and the Beautiful, where he appeared regularly from 1992 to 2002, with a final cameo in 2005.
Outside of soap operas, Robinson achieved pop culture fame with his 1984 Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercial. The line “I’m not a doctor, but I play one on TV” became a catchphrase that audiences still remember decades later.
Despite a legal hiccup in 1985—when Robinson pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion—his career continued uninterrupted. He served a four-month sentence through a work-release program, allowing him to keep filming for General Hospital during the day.
Throughout his career, Robinson amassed over 100 acting credits between television and film. His final performance came in 2022 as Ted Hurst in Just for a Week, marking the end of a journey that began in 1957.
Robinson is survived by his wife, Jacquie Shane-Robinson, and six sons—Shane, Coby, Christian, Taylor, Christopher Robinson, and Christopher Lance—as well as five grandchildren.
As fans and colleagues reflect on his legacy, Robinson is remembered not only for his enduring screen presence but for the warmth and professionalism he brought to each role.
