Veteran actress Leslie Charleson, best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine on ABC’s General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 79. According to a statement by show producer Frank Valentini, Charleson was a beloved cast member who played the cardiologist since 1977.
Charleson was a four-time Emmy nominee and held the record for the longest-serving cast member in daytime soap opera history. Her legacy spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital, where she became a cherished part of the show’s core.
Born in 1944, Charleson began her acting career in 1964 with the ABC soap opera A Flame in the Wind. She also appeared in Port Charles and the film Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. In an interview with Digital Journal in 2019, Charleson shared that she initially signed on for two years to play Monica Quartermaine but ultimately became deeply invested in the character’s spunk and independence.
Valentini remembered Charleson fondly, stating that her “incredible presence on set” was a joy to witness. The General Hospital production team extended their sympathy to Charleson’s loved ones during this difficult time.
Source: https://www.thedailybeast.com/obsessed/general-hospital-star-leslie-charleson-dies-at-79