Soap Opera Legend Leslie Charleson, Who Starred On ‘General Hospital’ For 46 Years, Dies At 79

Leslie Charleson, the soap opera veteran who was best known for her portrayal of Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, has died at the age of 79. Her passing, announced on Sunday, Jan. 12, by the show’s executive producer Frank Valentini, marks the end of an era for daytime television.

Charleson’s acting career spanned over 50 years, with the majority of that time spent on General Hospital, where she appeared in a remarkable 2,079 episodes. She first joined the daytime series in 1977, stepping into the role of Dr. Monica, a cardiologist. What began as a temporary role evolved into an enduring one as she became one of the show’s central figures.

Initially, Charleson had only signed a two-year contract, but her strong performance and chemistry with the cast quickly made her a mainstay. Her portrayal earned her four Daytime Emmy nominations, a testament to her skill and the emotional depth she brought to the role. Charleson’s tenure with General Hospital saw the character evolve through major storylines, including Monica’s battle with breast cancer, her strained relationship with her son A.J. Quartermaine, and her role as a pillar in the hospital’s medical team. She remained with the show until December 2023, when health issues led to her departure, marking the end of an era for the Quartermaine family and General Hospital’s loyal viewers.

Born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, Charleson began her acting career in the 1960s with roles on soap operas like A Flame in the Wind and Love is a Many Splendored Thing, where she played Iris Donnelly Garrison in 1,427 episodes. She also made brief appearances on primetime shows such as Happy Days, Cannon, The Streets of San Francisco and a cameo on Friends in 2004.

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Throughout her time on General Hospital, Charleson became a beloved figure on set, not only for her portrayal of Monica but for her role as a leader. Valentini, in the Instagram post announcing her passing, shared, “Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set.”

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