Beloved ‘General Hospital’ Icon Leslie Charleson Passes Away at 79

Leslie Charleson, the beloved actress who portrayed Monica Quartermaine on ABC’s “General Hospital,” has passed away at the age of 79. The news of her death was announced via social media channels associated with the long-running soap opera on Sunday evening.

Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer, expressed deep condolences, stating, “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. My heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

While a specific cause of death was not disclosed, reports indicate that Charleson had been “battling an illness for some time,” according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Originally from Kansas City, Missouri, Charleson began her acting career as a child. She further honed her craft while studying theater at Bennett College in New York. Her remarkable journey in daytime television began when “General Hospital” premiered in 1963.

Over nearly five decades, she became a fixture on the show, appearing in more than 2,000 episodes as the iconic Monica Quartermaine. “General Hospital” itself has been an enduring part of television history, with a staggering 62 seasons and over 15,000 episodes to date.

Beyond her role in “General Hospital,” Charleson also gained recognition for her character Iris Donnelly in the 1960s series “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing.” Her talented performances earned her nominations for four Daytime Emmy Awards, alongside several honors from Soap Opera Digest and Soap Hub.