Leslie Charleson, Longest-TenuredGeneral HospitalCast Member, Dies at 79

Mar. 15, 2025

Leslie Charleson.Photo:Todd Wawrychuk/ABC via Getty

Todd Wawrychuk/ABC via Getty

Leslie Charleson has died at the age of 79.The actress was best known as Monica Quartermaine on the soap operaGeneral Hospital, a role she began playing in 1977, making herthe cast member who was on the show the longest. She was a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee.General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini announced Charleson’s death on the show’s officialInstagrampage on Sunday, Jan. 12. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” he began.

“Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years onGeneral Hospitalalone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew,” he continued. “I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set.”

Valentini concluded his message: “On behalf of everyone atGeneral Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during 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 on ‘Happy Days’ in 1975.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In 1964, she was cast on the NBC soapA Flame in the Wind. Then she joined ​​As the World Turnsin 1966, before moving to CBS’sLove Is a Many Splendored Thing. She stayed with that series until 1970.

From left: Leslie Charleson, Ricky Nelson and Darren McGavin on ‘Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law’.Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

In 1977, she was brought ontoGeneral Hospitalas the series’ ratings were floundering, replacing Patsy Rahn, who had debuted as Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine) a year earlier. Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her.

“I only signed on for two years, and I don’t know what happened,” she toldDigital Journalin 2019. “Back then, there weren’t a lot of good female roles that had that. It was an amazing time, and it was strong material to act.”

“She’s interesting, dedicated in all areas,” Charleson toldSoap Opera Digestin 1981. “Her dedication in her social life can be a bit over the top, but it’s true. When she loves, it’s passionately. She puts her effort into it, sometimes at the expense of others.”

Chris Robinson, Leslie Charleson and Stuart Damon on ‘General Hospital’ in 1980.ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty

And at the time, the actress was happy with her character’s growth. “I’m delighted 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 any place, do any thing.” Of her character’s reputation, she added, “When you’re all good, you’re boring. And nobody is just ‘good,’ unless she’s a saint.”

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

Everett

But Monica’s relationship with Alan was often volatile. In the ’80s, she often slapped Alan in the face. “We’d do real slaps,” Charleson told PEOPLE in 2023 forthe show’s 60th anniversary. “Stuart was always afraid I’d take his eye out. I would fake a slap in dress rehearsal, but when we went to tape it, all that went out the window!”

Monica was often in the middle of love triangles and even accidentally had an affair with her nephew. But not all of Monica’s storylines emphasized over-the-top drama. In 1994, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Leslie Charleson on ‘General Hospital.’ in 2021.Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty

Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty

“Monica’s battle with breast cancer was just so incredibly fulfilling,” Charleson toldFBJ Fitin 2020. “Dealing with a real-life issue that afflicts so many women and their families and being able to show the struggle and issues they face, was something I am so proud of. It was exhausting and incredibly difficult work, but the response to the storyline was truly humbling.”

Charleson began to appear onGeneral Hospitalon a recurring status beginning in 2010 and made less frequent appearances in the last years of her life.

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

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

Looking back at herGHtenure, she toldSoap Opera Digestin 2001, “I really do love this job. Look at it this way — what better job can you do than get up in the morning, roll out of bed, throw something on and then have someone take care of how you look and how you dress and what you say? How much more grateful could you possibly be? Not bad, not bad at all."

source: people.com