General Hospital legend Leslie Charleson, who played Monica Quartermaine since 1977, passed away on January 13 after several years of health problems.
GH Loses an Icon
GH Executive Producer Frank Valentini broke the news on social media.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson. 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 her incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
Charleson was born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, and entertained generations of soap opera fans through the decades. After graduating from Bennett College with a degree in theater, Charleson hit the TV scene and quickly landed roles on such soaps as Love is a Many Splendored Things and As the World Turns in the 1960s. In the 1970s, she was a mainstay as a primetime TV guest star. Charleson’s credits include Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, MacMillan and Wife, and The Streets of San Francisco.
Charleson Turns Monica Into a GH Legend
In 1977, Charleson took on the role that would change her life and one she would go on to play for the rest of her life. Dr. Monica Bard was a vixenish role to start, as Monica battled Lesley Webber for Rick Webber but eventually married Dr. Alan Quartermaine and the rest is soap opera history.
Through the decades, Charleson became the matriarch of the Quartermaine clan, but hadn’t been seen much in recent years due to the actress’ health issues. In 2018, Charleson was forced to take an extended leave of absence from GH after breaking her hip. She has only appeared sporadically since, with her last appearance being in 2024.
With Monica also having health issues to explain Monica’s absence from the story, it is expected that Monica will soon pass away on-screen, ending a glorious GH era.
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