Charleson played Dr. Monica Quartermaine for nearly half a century.
General HospitalĀ announced that legendary actress Leslie Charleson had died. At the time of her passing, the actress who portrayed Dr. Monica Quartermaine was 79 years old.
Remembering Monica
GH took to Instagram to share theĀ heartbreaking news that Charleson, who played Dr. Monica Quartermaine for nearly 50 years, passed away at 79.
Executive producer Frank Valentini shared in a statement: āIt is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague Leslie Charleson. Her enduring legacy has spawned nearly 50 years onĀ General HospitalĀ alone and, just as Monica was the heart the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew.ā
Charleson took an indefinite leave from GH in 2022 after reportedly suffering several falls. Last year, Co-star Steve Burton (Jason) shared thatĀ he hoped to reunite with his on-screen momĀ after returning to the soap in March 2024.
Charleson was born in Kansas City, Missouri on February 22, 1945. In 1964, she debuted as Pam on the soapĀ A Flame In The Wind. Soon after, in 1966, she appeared inĀ As The World TurnsĀ as Alice Whipple.
When she portrayedĀ Iris Donnelly from 1967-70 onĀ Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, she became a rising star.
Tom Donovan, who was a producer onĀ Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, ended up enticing her to go to GH after sheād decided she was finished with daytime.
In 1976, Charleson took over the role of Monica from Patsy Rahn. The actressās last appearance on the soap was in December 2023.
In addition to her work on daytime television, Charleson also in 1973āsĀ Day of the DolphinĀ and theĀ 1993 television movieĀ Woman on the Ledge.
Her primetime TV credits includeĀ Happy Days,Ā The Rockford Files,Ā Marcus Welby, M.D.,Ā andĀ Emergency!Ā in addition toĀ Friends,Ā Dharma and Greg,Ā andĀ Diagnosis: Murder.
In her personal life, Charleson was married to G. William Demms from 1988 to 1991.Ā Soap HubĀ sends its sincere condolences to family, friends, and fans during this difficult time.
