Leslie Charleson, one of the icons of "General Hospital", died at the age of 79. Charleson played the role of Monica Quatermaine for almost 50 years, becoming one of the most identifiable faces of the long-running series.
Her death was confirmed by Frank Valentini, the executive producer of the series, who shared a photo of Charleson and a heartfelt statement. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," he wrote.
"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. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time."
Her cause of death wasn't revealed, with various outlets reporting that she'd experienced various falls in recent years that resulted in mobility issues.
More details about Charleson's career
Charleson had a lengthy career in television, having roles in series like "Friends" and "The Rockford Files." She joined "General Hospital" in 1977, replacing Patsy Rahn in the role of Monica.
“I started the show the day Elvis Presley died, and being such a huge fan, I of course was very upset driving to the studios, and then getting there I was told that they hoped I had brought my own wardrobe and makeup because there was a strike going on — and that was before I even got in the building,” said Charleson in an interview with Soap Opera Digest in 2022.
“Then I got in the building and I realized that no one really liked me, because the girl playing Monica before me was very rudely fired.”
Charleson quickly won the love of the fans thanks to her performance and her romance with Alan, the character played by the late actor Stuart Damon. The pair were engaged in a decades romance that resulted in their onscreen marriage in 1991, with the two remaining together until Damon departed the show in 2007.