Leslie Charleson, the actress known for her long-running role as Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 79. Charleson, who joined the soap opera in 1977, became its longest-tenured cast member, playing Monica for nearly five decades. Her death was announced on the official General Hospital Instagram page on January 12, 2025, by executive producer Frank Valentini, who praised her legacy and described her as the “beloved matriarch” of the cast and crew.
Charleson was born in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1945, and her early interest in acting led her to study theater at Bennett College in New York. Her acting career began in the 1960s, with roles on several soap operas, including A Flame in the Wind, As the World Turns, and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. She also made guest appearances on popular shows like Happy Days, Marcus Welby, M.D., and The Streets of San Francisco, and starred in the 1971 horror film Revenge!.
In 1977, Charleson joined General Hospital, replacing Patsy Rahn in the role of Monica Bard Webber, later known as Monica Quartermaine. Monica quickly became one of the central figures in the show, known for her complex character and dramatic storylines. Charleson enjoyed playing Monica’s bad-girl persona, and her portrayal made the character a fan favorite. Reflecting on her role, Charleson once said that Monica’s passionate and sometimes over-the-top dedication made her interesting and fun to play. Monica’s relationship with fellow doctor Alan Quartermaine, portrayed by Stuart Damon, became one of the most iconic on the show, filled with dramatic twists, love triangles, and even real-life slaps during their volatile scenes together.
One of Monica’s most memorable storylines came in 1994 when the character was diagnosed with breast cancer. Charleson took great pride in portraying this storyline, noting how fulfilling it was to depict the struggles many women face in real life. The actress remained a key figure on General Hospital for decades, though she began to appear less frequently after 2010 as her role became more of a recurring one.
Outside of General Hospital, Charleson’s appearances on television were limited after joining the soap, but she did star in the 1993 TV movie Woman on the Ledge and appeared in episodes of Diagnosis: Murder and Dharma & Greg. She even played herself in a memorable 2004 episode of Friends, where she faced off with Joey on a soap opera-themed game show.
Charleson was married once, to Bill Demms, from 1988 to 1991. In reflecting on her career, she expressed gratitude for her long tenure on General Hospital, describing it as a dream job where she could enjoy the comforts of a beloved role and the support of the crew around her. Charleson’s nearly 50-year presence on the show and her contributions to daytime television leave behind a lasting legacy.
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