Provided by an anonymous source.

This piece appeared in Daytime TV's Greatest Stories No. 2, Everything You Want to Know About...General Hospital in 1981.

How Tony Geary Learned to Stop Worrying and Love Stardom...

"I'm Getting A BIG KICK Out Of Success!"

Phil, Merv, Mike and John are all scrambling to get Tony on their talk shows. When People magazine put a group of sexy soap guys on their cover, but excluded that one important face, the mail poured in at such an incredible rate that People ran a special cover picture and story on Tony in a later issue to appease his irate fans. And who made the biggest hit at the World Series games? None other than Tony Geary. He was a special guest of the Kansas City Royals, who are his greatest fans.

"My life has been changed by the success of Luke Spencer, but I feel very good about the recognition I've received. I've worked hard at my craft for fourteen years and it's nice that people finally know my name and respect the work I do. I appreciate the attention and if this is exploitation then let's have more of it!" Tony jokes.

Of course, there's a big difference between the honor of receiving credit for a job well done and the fear of being mobbed everytime [sic] you leave the house. "I'll admit," Tony says, "that I used to be nervous about making public appearances. I've always considered myself somewhat reserved and even shy at times. But then I realized that I could slip into the character of Luke and give the audience a real show. I've learned to be more comfortable with the fans."

At a public appearance, the stage separates Tony from the audience, but when he wants to go out for a night on the town or even shop at the grocery store, he's assured of a few face-to-face confrontations with his fans. "I used to go out alone a lot and I loved to go dancing, but now, especially in a disco, I can't even get to the dance floor without attracting a crowd. I don't often go out alone anymore. I like to take either a woman or a group of friends along--somebody who's willing to act as a cushion between me and the public. When I'm alone I sometimes wear a disguise--hats, glasses, phony beards--and assume a foreign accent to throw people off the track. Even then I usually get spotted by someone."

So, does Tony believe he's paid a high price for success? "No," says Tony, "I'm reaping the benefits. And I'm just going to keep doing what I've been doing as well as I can. I'm enjoying every minute of it!"