India, Aug. 16 -- Tristan Rogers, best known for his iconic role as Robert Scorpio on ABC's long-running daytime soap opera General Hospital, has died at the age of 79.

His longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, confirmed to ABC News that the actor passed away Friday morning following a battle with lung cancer. She noted that Rogers had never been a smoker.

Rogers is survived by his wife, Teresa Parkerson, two children, and a grandchild.

Born on June 3, 1946, in Melbourne, Australia, Tristan Rogers began his acting career in Australian television, with appearances in series such as The Link Men (1970), Number 96 (1974), and The Box (1975). He also featured in British films like Four Dimensions of Greta (1972) and The Flesh and Blood Show (197...