General Hospital stars pay tribute to the late Leslie Charleson

General Hospital star Leslie Charleson's death rocked the soap world on the evening of January 12. The actress was a GH mainstay since 1977 and had been beloved by co-stars and fans alike.

Goodbye to Leslie Charleson

The outpouring of love and tributes to Charleson is heartwarming as stars have taken to social media to express their sadness and offer condolences to honor the actress who brought Monica Quartermaine to life for nearly 50 years.

The Bold and the Beautiful star Sean Kanan (Deacon Sharpe), who played Monica's son AJ, was shocked by Charleson's death.

"I just learned that Leslie Charleson has passed," Kanan posted on X (formerly Twitter). "We played mother and son off and on for years. My deepest condolences to her family. May you rest in peace, Lester."

Natalia Livingston, who played Emily Quartermaine, the daughter Monica and Alan adopted after Emily's biological mom died from breast cancer, also honored her on-screen mom.

"I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Leslie Charleson," Livingston wrote on Instagram. "Leslie was the most wonderful TV mom I could have ever had. I admired and enjoyed her humor, wit, and warmth. Thank you for always making me feel so welcome into our TV family. I’ll never forget you. May you rest in peace, dear Leslie. I love you."

John J. York (Mac Scorpio) tweeted that Charleson was one of the reasons he fell in love with the soap he calls home.

"Leslie Charleson and Stuart Damon," York began, referencing Stuart Damon, who passed in 2021. "Alan and Monica…the reason I fell in love with GH when I was in college, thank you for your talent, your humor, your friendship! Love you both very much."

Finola Hughes (Anna Devane) also paid tribute to her dear friend and co-star.

"Dear Leslie, I’m going to need a minute and I’ll write something about this lovely, funny, clever woman," Hughes posted on Instagram. "But right now, dear Leslie rip we love you."

Sarah Joy Brown, who played Monica's combative daughter-in-law, Carly, fondly recalled what it was like to work with Charleson.

"Rest in peace Leslie Charleson," she tweeted. "Grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much from her while I was starting my run on General Hospital. Watching her work with Stuart Damon, a.k.a. Alan Quartermaine, and John Ingle was a joy for me, especially when I was included in the scenes, but even when I wasn’t. The Qs always made me laugh. Her timing was legendary. Sending my condolences to her friends, family, fans, and all of her co-workers."

Kathleen Gati (Liesl Obrecht) remembered her co-star fondly.

"One of the kindest and sweetest colleagues I’ve had the honor to work with," Gati shared on X. "May @lesliecharleson rest in peace and know how deeply she was loved and appreciated by all. Deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues, and fans."

A General Hospital icon

For close to half a century, Charleson made us laugh and cry as Dr. Monica Bard Quartermaine. Her battles with Alan and Tracy were legendary, while her relationships with her sons always broke our hearts and warmed our hearts at the same time.

There is no word yet on how GH plans to write Charleson's death into the story, but Soap Central will keep you updated as we know more.