Leslie Charleson, best known for her decades-long role as Monica Quartermaine on the hit ABC series “General Hospital,” died Sunday morning at 79. Variety reported that the soap opera icon succumbed to a long illness.
The official Instagram account of “General Hospital” paid tribute to Charleson with a heartfelt statement from Executive Producer Frank Valentini. He described her as the “beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew,” noting that her legacy on the show spanned nearly 50 years.
Valentini wrote, “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.”
Born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, Charleson carved out a storied career in the entertainment industry. While she became synonymous with her role on “General Hospital,” which she joined in 1977, she also appeared in the show’s spinoffs, including “Port Charles” (1997–2001) and “General Hospital: Night Shift” (2008).
