Chris Robinson, ‘General Hospital' actor who famously played a doctor on TV, dies at 86
Chris Robinson, the actor who played Dr. Rick Webber on 'General Hospital' and also introduced America to a classic turn of phrase in a commercial for cough syrup, has died of heart failure. He was 86.
Robinson died in his sleep just after midnight on Monday at home in Sedona, Arizona, according to filmmaker MJ Allen, who posted the news on Facebook.
'Jacquie (Chris' wife) just called me a bit ago and informed me that my good friend and collaborator Hollywood legend Chris Robinson has passed away,' the filmmaker, whose full name is Michael Jason Allen, wrote Monday afternoon. 'We knew this was coming, but it always sucks.'
Though Robinson had 100 TV and film acting credits, according to IMDb, his most famous role might be one many people don't realize they are referencing: He was the actor in a Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup commercial who first spoke the words, 'I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV.' That phrase from 1984 was uttered again two years later in a second Vicks Formula 44 ad featuring Peter Bergman, 'The Young and the Restless' actor who at the time played Dr. Cliff Warner on 'All My Children.'
The rest was pop culture history.
Born in West Palm Beach, Florida, on Nov. 5, 1938, Robinson appeared in more than 1,000 'General Hospital' episodes between 1978 and 1986, then returned for about 20 episodes in 2002 and one in April 2013. He was also in almost 250 episodes as Jack Hamilton on 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' mostly in the early 1990s but continuing into the early 2000s, and had 20 episodes as Jason Frame on 'Another World' in 1988 to 1989.
He was a regular in the pages of Soap Opera Digest and acted with John Stamos, Rick Springfield and Richard Dean Anderson when their careers were just beginning.
His episodic TV credits began in the 1960s and included 'The Donna Reed Show,' 'Gunsmoke,' 'Wagon Train,' 'Perry Mason' and 'Hogan's Heroes,' to name a few.
Robinson starred in films alongside Mickey Rooney, Charlton Heston, Dick Clark, Bruce Dern, Ted Cassidy and Yvonne De Carlo and directed film and TV including episodes of 'Baretta,' 'Cannon' and 'Barnaby Jones.' He wrote, starred in and directed the 1977 movie 'The Great Balloon Race' with Frank Gifford, Phyllis Diller, Cab Calloway and Bert Parks.
Robinson appeared in three films directed by Allen: 'Just for a Week,' 'Barely Dreaming' and 'Yancey McCord: The Killer That Arizona Forgot About.'
In 1985, the actor — then living in Glendale — pleaded guilty to federal tax evasion charges and could have faced two years in prison for filing false tax returns on $490,000 in income from 1980 to 1981. He managed to avoid a sentence that would have forced him to leave 'General Hospital' by serving his time on nights and weekends to remain available for daytime taping. He was also ordered to pay all back taxes and interest.
In more recent years, Robinson enjoyed time on his ranch with his artist wife of 14 years, Jacquie Shane-Robinson.
'We spent a few holidays together, staying out at his ranch having buffets by the creek, and him and Jacquie coming to my house to discuss projects were always a treat,' Allen wrote on Facebook. 'Good times. … RIP, good friend and legend. Respect to Jacquie and the fam.'
Rhonda Robinson, one of the actor's ex-wives, posted a vintage photo of a 1980s Daytime TV Yearbook on Monday showing Chris Robinson and their young sons, writing, 'Seems like a lifetime ago. When we got married I was sure it would last forever, but unfortunately it did not. But we did create the best sons. They will miss you. RIP Chris.'
Robinson is survived by his wife Jacquie as well as sons Shane, Coby, Christian, Taylor, Christopher, Christopher Lance and Robb Walker from his numerous previous marriages. He had five grandchildren.
___
© 2025 Los Angeles Times.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Upturn
14 minutes ago
- Business Upturn
Is ‘North Shore' returning for season 2? Everything we know so far
North Shore , the Aussie crime show, grabbed viewers with its juicy murder plot and sweet Sydney Harbour scenery. You've got Joanne Froggatt as Abigail Crawford, a tough UK Trade Minister, and John Bradley as Detective Max Drummond, a Brit cop teaming up with an Aussie partner to crack the case of Abigail's daughter Sophie's death. Since it dropped on Network 10 in Australia in May 2023 and hit ITVX in the UK in December 2024, fans are dying to know: Is Season 2 happening? Here's everything we know so far. Is North Shore Season 2 Happening? As of June 2025, Network 10 and Paramount+ haven't said yes or no to North Shore Season 2. There's a glimmer of hope, though. Back in August 2023, the Nilsen Report claimed filming was set to start in Sydney that October, with Beach Road Pictures, ITV Studios, and Screen Australia in the mix. But no one's followed up with hard news, so we're left hanging, wondering if it's a go or a bust. Season 1 pulled a 6.8/10 on IMDb, and fans loved Froggatt and Bradley's chemistry, plus the crime-meets-drama vibe. Some weren't stoked about slow pacing or side characters who didn't shine, which might weigh on the decision. Until we hear more, it's all guesswork. North Shore Season 2 Potential Release Date No Season 2 confirmation means no release date yet. If that October 2023 filming rumor panned out, they might've wrapped by early 2024. Going by how long Season 1 took, we could see new episodes by late 2025 or early 2026. North Shore Season 2 Potential Plot Season 1 dug into Sophie's murder, with Max and Aussie cop Meg Driscoll (Kirsty Sturgess) unraveling political dirt and dark secrets. It tied up the main case but left some questions. No official plot for Season 2 yet, but here's what might go down: New Case, Same Duo: Max and Meg, with their Brit-Aussie banter, could tackle another Sydney murder, maybe tied to some shady international deal. Old Clues: Season 1 dropped hints about dodgy businessman Lloyd Macklin and a mystery caller tipping off Max and Abigail. Those could spark a new mess. Real Feelings: Abigail's still hurting from her loss, and Max's got issues with his partner, Anna, which could add depth to a fresh case. Mike Bullen, who made Cold Feet , knows how to blend grit and heart, so expect any new season to pack a punch. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
Weekly General Hospital Spoilers June 23-27: Daisy's Christening & Marco's Discovery
General Hospital spoilers for the week of June 23-27, 2025 tease drama for The Ashfords and a shock for Sonny. It's gearing up to be a big week for The Ashford/Robinson family. It'll all begin Monday when Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) informs Trina (Tabyana Ali) of his plan, which may involve working for Congressman Cutthroat, Drew (Cameron Mathison). Meanwhile, a rattled Portia (Brook Kerr) will lash out, while Curtis (Donnell Turner) May grow closer to Jordan (Tanisha Harper) when the exes go on a trip down memory lane. READ THIS: You won't believe who was behind Michael's full custody verdict on June 19 GH. As for Sonny (Maurice Benard), he'll be in for a shock by the end of the week. What about is unknown, but a conversation with Carly (Laura Wright) will leave his ex concerned mid-week. Much like Curtis and Jordan, Carly will also take a trip down memory lane with Jason (Steve Burton) on Friday. This may be in relation to Daisy's christening, which also begins on Friday. READ THIS: Is Willow losing her mind? Katelyn MacMullen reacts to her character's spiral. On the Gio (Giovanni Mazza) front, while Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton) discuss what to do about their new son, it will be Jason who gives Dante some new insight into the situation. But by the end of the week, Brook Lynn and Chase (Josh Swickard) will make a realization that could change everything. A lot of drama will be unpacked mid-week when Martin (Michael E. Knight) gets bad news, Cody (Josh Kelly) follows more orders from Kristina (Kate Mansi) to seduce Ava (Maura West), and Marco (Adrian Anchondo) makes a discovery. Will this discovery be in relation to Natalia's (Eva LaRue) DWI case, Sidwell's (Carlo Rota) involvement in Michael's (Rory Gibson) custody verdict, or something else entirely?
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Yahoo
General Hospital Recap: Ava Begs Nina Not to Cut Her Own Throat
General Hospital Recap: Ava Begs Nina Not to Cut Her Own Throat originally appeared on Daytime Confidential. On today's General Hospital recap: Nina updates Ava on the verdict and Willow losing her kids and blames Drew. Nina says she needs to get Willow away from him and thinks she should mention the 45-minute floor sex. Ava says Nina will lose her relationship with Willow and won't have anyone to lean on. Ava begs her not to tell Willow so as not to lose her daughter. Willow tells Drew he's the reason she lost the kids and doesn't see how marrying him will get them back. Drew admits he made mistakes, namely taking Wylie to DC and drawing up the papers. Willow worries he'll think she's using him if they got married for this reason. Martin meets with them to push the marriage angle saying they could get the ruling amended. Later, Willow feels there is hope so she agrees to get married. Michael, Wylie and Kristina spend time at the pool. Michael and Kristina talk about Drew and how he messed up their lives. Kristina tells him not to let his anger consume him or he'll do something he'll regret. Michael wonders if she's talking from experience. Kristina denies it and brings it back to him winning the hearing and suggests he focus on the kids. Curtis meets with Tracy to discuss Drew and how he framed Tracy. She says she can't prove Drew planted the Ketamine. Curtis says they need Drew to retract the statement and wonders how to make it happen. Tracy says she has to make a public apology and give Drew the Q name, but she won't be doing that. Curtis wonders if Martin can be turned, but Tracy says he hates her and wants her to pay. Curtis says he's looking for Jacinda and Tracy worries what will happen if he doesn't find her. Martin heads to the Quartermanes and hands the apology notice to Tracy, but she tears it up. Curtis and Michael advise her otherwise, so she agrees to the press conference. Anna and Sonny get ready to go head-to-head in the summer softball game. She tells him Gio is staying with her and Emma and how well they get along. ADA Turner joins the PCPD team, and Anna points out the games get pretty competitive. Emma and Gio hang out in the park, being the cutest cutes that ever cuted, only to come across the cutest dog that ever cuted. Sonny approaches Gio to get him to play for Corinthos Coffee. Gio says they'll be playing against Deception, PCPD and ELQ, and he's not ready to be around them. Sonny says Gio needs to move forward and wants to help him. Sonny manages to convince Gio to play. Emma can't find the dog's owner and tells Anna she's going to keep her. Kai and Trina wake up in the afterglow and he tells her about his conversation with Drew. He admits he was lost when he got the news, but Drew offered him a job. Kai says he doesn't have details but promises he won't' be moving to DC. Trina heads to the gallery and tells Ava about the results of Kai's surgery and the job offer. She says she's going to support his choice but wants him as far from Drew as possible. Kai talks to Drew and turns down his job offer because he doesn't want to move to DC. He says he wants to stay with Trina. Drew says Kai could be based in town and represent him here. Willow meets Nina at the pool. She finds Wylie's t-shirt and insists it be returned right now. Kristina returns to get the t-shirt, and Willow begs her to tell the kids she loves them. Nina warns Willow not to do anything that would make the judge think she's violating the terms of the decision. Willow says by the time the visitation hearing happens, she'll be married to Drew. Keep checking back for the latest General Hospital recaps! This story was originally reported by Daytime Confidential on Jun 21, 2025, where it first appeared.
