Leslie Charleson, longest-tenured ‘General Hospital’ cast member and ‘beloved matriarch’, dies at 79

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Actress Leslie Charleson, best known for portraying Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera 'General Hospital', died on Sunday, January 12, at the age of 79.

According to People, Leslia was the longest-serving cast member on the show, taking up the role of Monica in 1977. Her performance earned her four Daytime Emmy nominations.

'General Hospital' producer announces Leslie Charleson's death

Taking to social media platforms Instagram and X, executive producer of 'General Hospital' Frank Valentini broke the news of Leslie Charleson's death.

"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 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. 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," concluded Valentini.

Leslie’s cause of death has not yet been determined.

A look at Leslie Charleson's career

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1945, Leslie Charleson and her sister Kate both grew up to become actresses, though the latter passed away in 1996.

Leslie acted as a child and in high school, and studied theater at Bennett College in upstate New York. She was cast on the NBC soap 'A Flame in the Wind' in 1964, and 'As the World Turns' in 1966. After that, Leslie joined CBS’s 'Love Is a Many Splendored Thing' where she stayed till 1970.

Before joining 'General Hospital' in 1977, Leslie made guest appearances on shows such as 'Marcus Welby, MD', 'Happy Days', 'The Streets of San Francisco', 'Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law', 'McMillan & Wife', and 'The Rockford Files'. She also starred in the 1971 made-for-TV horror film 'Revenge!'

Leslie Charleson on 'General Hospital'

Leslie Charleson replaced Patsy Rahn, who initially played Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine), in 1977. Her character was a doctor who filled the bad-girl archetype on the show.

The actress often commented on how much she enjoyed portraying the character, telling Digital Journal in 2019, "I only signed on for two years, and I don’t know what happened. 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.”

In the show, Monica's most impactful relationship was with fellow doctor Alan Quartermaine, played by the late Stuart Damon. Their on-screen relationship was often volatile, and Leslie told People on the 60th anniversary of the show in 2023, "We’d do real slaps. 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!”

Leslie began to appear on the show in a recurring status from 2010 onward and made fewer appearances in the final years of her life. During her time on the show, she rarely made other television appearances.

The select few included guest appearances on 'Diagnosis: Murder' and 'Dharma & Greg,' and a cameo in a 2004 episode of 'Friends'.

In 2001, Leslie reflected on her job in an interview with Soap Opera Digest, saying, "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."

Internet fondly remembers Leslie Charleson

Netizens paid tribute to Leslie Charleson on social media.

"RIP Leslie Charleson. Monica Quartermaine was one of all-time greatest characters in daytime history," wrote a user.

"RIP Leslie Charleson. I wonder who's going to have the privilege of saying 'It's my house. Monica gave it to me,'" shared another.

"There’s less joy in the world without @lesliecharleson," expressed a third.

"So so sad to hear about Leslie Charleson’s passing! Grew up watching Monica on screen and General Hospital will not be the same without her! Monica and Alan Quartermaine will always have a special place in my heart," stated one user.

"The passing of Leslie Charleson is so sad. She was a key centerpiece of #GH for decades. Monica's breast cancer storyline was harrowing as it was groundbreaking at the time for soaps in the 90s. She will be missed. Always remember: It's Monica's house. Alan gave it to her," tweeted another.

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