Leslie Charleson, the actress who played Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital for more than four decades, has died. She was 79.
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of the long-running soap opera, shared the news of Charleson’s death in a statement posted on social media on Sunday, Jan. 12.
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“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” Valentini’s statement began. “Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew.”
A photo of Charleson accompanied the statement that Valentini posted on Instagram. “I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set,” he added. “On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
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Valentini’s statement did not include a cause of death for the soap opera star.
Charleson was born in Kansas City, Mo., on Feb. 22, 1945. She first began appearing on TV in the mid-1960s, making single-episode appearances on several shows in addition to landing lengthier roles in series such as A Flame in the Wind, As the World Turns and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. She joined General Hospital in 1977 and continued appearing on the popular ABC soap opera in the decades that followed, with her most recent episode airing in December 2023.
General Hospital fans responded to Charleson’s passing with touching tributes that they posted in the comment section of the show’s Instagram announcement.
“Oh this is heartbreaking news. Loved her & how she portrayed Monica. So sorry for this loss to GH ❤️💔🙏🏻,” one fan wrote.
“Thank you for giving us nearly 50 years of incredible performances that touched are hearts and we will always remember RIP ICON 💔🙏🏾😢 Sending love and prayers to her family,” another fan wrote.
“I’m sorry to see this, she has always been such an integral part of the GH family,” one Instagram user wrote, adding, “Sincere condolences to her family and the GH family.”
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