Chris Robinson, the veteran actor best known for his portrayal of Dr. Rick Webber on “General Hospital,” died June 9 at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona. He was 86.
Robinson died peacefully in his sleep at 12:30 a.m. from heart failure, according to actor MJ Allen, who announced the death on Facebook. Allen, who worked with Robinson on the 2022 film “Just for a Week,” indicated that Robinson had been suffering from heart failure for some time.
Born Christopher Brown Robinson on November 5, 1938, in West Palm Beach, Florida, the actor built a prolific career spanning more than 100 television and film roles over eight decades. His journey began in the late 1950s with stunt work in films including “Diary of a High School Bride” and “Beast From Haunted Cave,” where he designed his own spider costume for the monster role.
Robinson’s breakthrough came in 1965 when he joined the cast of “12 O’Clock High” as Technical Sergeant Sandy Komansky for the show’s second and third seasons. He appeared in 46 episodes of the World War II drama through January 1967, establishing himself as a series regular.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Robinson made numerous guest appearances on popular television series including “Sea Hunt,” “77 Sunset Strip,” “Hawaiian Eye,” “Combat!,” “Gunsmoke,” “Perry Mason,” “Hogan’s Heroes,” “The Streets of San Francisco,” “Barnaby Jones,” and “CHiPs.”
Robinson achieved his greatest fame when he joined “General Hospital” in 1978 as Dr. Rick Webber, the adoptive father of Laura Spencer, played by Genie Francis. His character became central to one of daytime television’s most popular storylines, forming a love triangle with Monica Quartermaine and Lesley Webber. Robinson portrayed the role for eight years until 1986, appearing in more than 1,000 episodes.
During his tenure on “General Hospital,” Robinson became a household name through his work as a spokesperson for Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup. In the 1984 commercial, Robinson delivered the now-iconic line: “I’m not a doctor, but I do play one on TV.” The phrase became a national catchphrase and frequent late-night television punchline.
Robinson’s commercial career was cut short in 1985 when he pleaded guilty to federal income tax evasion. Despite the legal troubles, he remained on “General Hospital” by serving his four-month sentence under a prison work-release provision on nights and weekends. The commercial role was subsequently taken over by Peter Bergman from “All My Children.”
After leaving “General Hospital,” Robinson joined NBC’s “Another World” in 1987, playing Jason Frame alongside former co-star Denise Alexander. He then moved to CBS’s “The Bold and the Beautiful” in 1992, where he portrayed Jack Hamilton for three years. His character was involved in romantic storylines with both Stephanie Douglas and Sally Spectra.
Robinson returned to “General Hospital” briefly in 2002, where his character met a dramatic end when he was bludgeoned to death with a candlestick by Scotty Baldwin, played by Kin Shriner. The storyline revealed controversial details about Rick’s past, including drugging Laura to make her forget witnessing him having an affair.
His film career included notable roles in “The Young Savages” and “Birdman of Alcatraz,” both starring Burt Lancaster and directed by John Frankenheimer. He also wrote and directed several films in the 1970s, including “Catch the Black Sunshine,” “Thunder County,” and “The Intruder,” the latter featuring Mickey Rooney and Yvonne De Carlo.
Robinson’s personal life was documented in two films by his son Christopher: “Bankrupt by Beanies,” which explored his father’s failed investment in Beanie Baby collectibles, and “Bastard: An Illegitimate Film,” which examined his complex family structure involving nine children with six different women.
Robinson is survived by his fourth wife, artist Jacquie Shane-Robinson, whom he married in April 2011 after 14 years together. He also leaves behind seven sons: Shane, Coby, Christian, Taylor, Christopher Robinson, Christopher Lance, and adopted son Robb Walker, along with five grandchildren: Ivy, Ava, Davey, Brooks, and Knox.
The official “General Hospital” account on X paid tribute to Robinson, noting that the show’s enduring legacy owes a debt of gratitude to his portrayal of Dr. Rick Webber. Robinson’s final acting role came in 2022 with “Just for a Week,” where he played the main character, Ted Hurst.
Robinson’s death marks the end of an era for soap opera fans, as both Leslie Charleson, who played Monica Quartermaine, and Denise Alexander, who portrayed Lesley Webber, also died earlier this year. Charleson passed away in January, while Alexander died in March.
