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I am speechless. This is such very sad news. He was one of the greats, and he will remain in my thoughts as someone who was able to transport me and so many others to a fantasy world that I visited with so much joy for so many years. Did he ever know how much his portrayal of Luke meant to people? Could he accept the fact that Hollywood's perception of a soap star did not reflect the impact that he had on an audience?

I always hoped that they could bring Luke back if only for a voice-over fitting conclusion to the love story that he created with Genie Francis. Now that hope is crushed. The network had so many opportunities over the years to do it, but they let them slip away. We have lost so many of the vets recently. The TV execs have gutted the genre. Much of the available audience rarely watches ABC at all any more, so what did they accomplish by taking the hatchet to an entire section of the audience who valued the precious stories and characters created on soap operas?

I can imagine that thousands of people are feeling a sense of loss with this news. Thank heaven that his work is preserved on Youtube for all of us to enjoy.

Tony, thank you! Your years of hard work and dedication to your craft are so appreciated by this fan. I send condolences to your family and Claudio. RIP. You will not be forgotten.