TV Legend Chris Robinson Dies At 86

Television has lost one of its longtime faces. Chris Robinson, best known for playing Dr. Rick Webber on General Hospital and Jack Hamilton on The Bold and the Beautiful, has passed away at the age of 86.

Chris died peacefully in his sleep at his ranch near Sedona, Arizona, after a long battle with heart failure. The news was shared by actor and musician MJ Allen, who acted alongside Chris in the 2022 film Just for a Week. “He had been in heart failure for some time,” MJ wrote in a touching tribute on Facebook.

For fans of daytime drama, Chris was a familiar face for decades. He first joined General Hospital in 1978 as Dr. Rick Webber, a role he played on and off until 2013. In a memorable moment from the show’s storylines, his character was killed off in 2022, beaten with a candlestick by Scotty Baldwin, played by Kin Shriner.

But long before he became a soap opera staple, Chris was already making waves in Hollywood. His acting journey began in the early 1960s with film roles in The Young Savages and Birdman of Alcatraz, both starring the legendary Burt Lancaster. He quickly transitioned to TV, landing his first big series regular role as Sgt. Sandy Komansky in 12 O’Clock High from 1967 to 1969.

Chris was also known for a line that became part of pop culture: “I’m not a doctor, but I do play one on TV.” He delivered the famous phrase in a Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercial that turned into a national catchphrase. However, during a tax evasion scandal, he was replaced in the commercial by All My Children actor Peter Bergman.

Over the years, Chris made appearances on many beloved television shows, including Sea Hunt, Medical Center, Death Valley Days, The Fugitive, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., 77 Sunset Strip, Hogan’s Heroes, Gunsmoke, and Barnaby Jones.

In the late ’80s, Chris played Jason Frame on Another World, before taking on the role of Jack Hamilton, Taylor Hayes’ father, on The Bold and the Beautiful from 1992 to 2005. He remained a constant presence on both the small screen and in movies, with film credits in Because They’re Young, Shootout at Big Sag, Lady in Cement, Savannah Smiles, and Amy, among many others.

Chris’s final on-screen appearance was in the independent film Just for a Week in 2022, where he portrayed Ted Hurst.

Born in Florida, Chris Robinson left behind a powerful legacy of over 100 television and film roles. He is survived by his wife, Jacquie, and his children Shane, Coby, Christian, Christopher, Chris, and Taylor, as well as several grandchildren.