General Hospital legend Leslie Charleson dies at age 79

Leslie Charleson, best known as Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, has passed away at the age of 79.

Leslie Charleson leaves a GH legacy

GH Executive producer Frank Valentini announced the actress' passing on Instagram.

"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 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 attended Bennett College in New York, where she earned a theater degree. She got her soap opera start in the 1960s on the NBC daytime drama A Flame in the Wind. She later appeared on As the World Turns and Love is a Many Splendored Thing, but she also ventured into primetime TV.

In the 1970s, Charleson appeared in such series as Barnaby Jones, The Rockford Files, and The Streets of San Francisco.

Charleson becomes a General Hospital icon

By 1977, Charleson had landed the role that would turn her into a soap opera legend when she was cast as Dr. Monica Bard on General Hospital. Monica quickly became a fan favorite as a vixenish doctor who fell for both Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) and Rick Webber (Chris Robinson). In the end, Alan won Monica's heart, and their bickering romance was legendary. Alan and Monica would forever cheat on one another and play dirty tricks behind the other's back, but the audience always knew they were in love.

In 1994, Charleson played out a gritty true-to-life story when Monica was diagnosed with breast cancer.

In recent years, Charleson has only appeared sporadically due to health reasons. In 2018, she was forced to take an extended leave of absence from the soap after she fell and broke her hip. At the time, she was grateful for the outpouring of love and support.

"People were so gracious and wonderful, from Frank Valentini to the fans," she had told Soaps In Depth. "I’m overwhelmed with gratitude and love."

Soap Central sends condolences to Charleson's loved ones during this difficult time.