Leslie Charleson, Longest-Tenured General Hospital Cast Member, Dies at 79

Leslie Charleson has died at the age of 79. The actress was best known as Monica Quartermaine in the soap opera General Hospitala role she began playing in 1977, making her the series’ longest-running cast member. She was nominated four times for the Daytime Emmy Award.General Hospital’Executive producer Frank Valentini announced Charleson’s death on the show’s official Instagram page on Sunday, January 12. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” he began.

“Her lasting legacy stretches almost 50 years later General Hospital herself and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was the beloved mother of the entire cast and crew,” he continued. “I will miss our daily conversations, her wit and incredible presence on set.”

Valentini concluded his message: “On behalf of everyone in General HospitalMy deepest sympathies to her loved ones at this difficult time.”

Charleson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1945. Her sister Kate, who died in 1996, also became an actress. Charleson acted as a child and in high school, and studied theater at Bennett College in upstate New York.

Ron Howard and Leslie Charleson in ‘Happy Days’ in 1975.

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In 1964, she was cast in an NBC soap opera Flame in the wind. Then she joinedAs the world turns 1966, before moving to CBS Love is a very great thing. She stayed with that series until 1970.

After she left the show, she guest starred in series like Marcus Welby, Ph.D. honey, happy days (like Ron Howard’s Love for Richie Cunningham), The streets of San Francisco, Owen Marshall, Legal Counsel, McMillan and wife and Rockford files. She also starred in a 1971 made-for-TV horror film Revenge!.

From left: Leslie Charleson, Ricky Nelson and Darren McGavin on ‘Owen Marshall, Legal Counsel’.

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In 1977, it was brought to General Hospital as the show’s ratings were falling, replacing Patsy Rahn, who had debuted a year earlier as Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine). Monica, the doctor, filled the show’s bad girl archetype, and Charleson loved playing her.

“I only signed for two years and I don’t know what happened,” she told Digital Journal in 2019. “Back then, there weren’t many good female roles that had that. It was an amazing time and it was strong acting material.”

“She’s engaging, committed in all areas,” Charleson said Soap opera summary 1981. “Her commitment to social life may be a bit exaggerated, but it’s true. When he loves, it’s passionate. He puts his effort into it, sometimes at the expense of others.”

Chris Robinson, Leslie Charleson and Stuart Damon in ‘General Hospital’ in 1980.

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And at that time, the actress was happy with the growth of her character. “I’m thrilled with the progress she’s made, her sense of humor,” she said. “As an actress, I enjoy Monica because she can wear any hat, go anywhere, do anything.” On her character’s reputation, she added: “When you’re good, you’re boring. And no one is just ‘good’, unless they are a saint.”

Monica’s most influential relationship on the show was with fellow doctor Alan Quartermaine, played by the late Stuart Damon. The Quartermaine family joined the show the same year Charleson did, ultimately giving Monica deep ties to the show.

Leslie Charleson and Stuart Damon in ‘General Hospital’ in 1992.

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But Monica’s relationship with Alan was often unstable. In the 80s, she often slapped Alana. “We would do real slapstick,” Charleson told PEOPLE in 2023 for the show’s 60th anniversary. “Stuart was always afraid I was going to take his eye out. I would act out the slap in the dress rehearsal, but when we went to shoot it, it all flew out the window!”

Monica was often at the center of love triangles, and she happened to have an affair with her nephew. But not all of Monica’s stories emphasized excessive drama. In 1994, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Leslie Charleson in ‘General Hospital’. in 2021

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“Monica’s battle with breast cancer has been so incredibly fulfilling,” Charleson told FBJ Fit 2020. “Taking on a real-life issue that affects so many women and their families and showing the struggles and issues they face was something So I’m proud. It was exhausting and incredibly difficult work, but the reaction to the story was truly humbling.”

Charleson began appearing on the General Hospital on recurring status starting in 2010 and appeared less frequently in the last years of her life.

From left: Colleen Zenk Pinter, Leslie Charleson and Deidre Hall in a publicity shot for the 1993 film ‘Woman on the Edge’.

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Once she joined GH Charleson rarely appeared on TV outside of it. But she starred in a 1993 TV movie A woman on the edge and hosted on Diagnosis: Murder and Dharma & Greg. She played herself in an episode from 2004 Friendswhere she faced off against Joey (who was also a soap star) on the show.

Charleson was married once, to Bill Demms, from 1988 to 1991.

Looking back at her GH mandate, she said Soap opera summary In 2001, “I really love this job. Look at it this way — what better job can you do than get up in the morning, roll out of bed, put something on and then have someone worry about how you look, dress, and say? How much more grateful could you possibly be? Not bad, not bad at all.”

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