General Hospital alum Bergen Williams (ex-Alice Gunderson, a.k.a. Big Alice) passed away on July 20, just after her 62nd birthday. The actress' sister posted the sad news on Twitter, sharing that her sibling -- whose birth name was Laura Lynn -- was surrounded by her family when she succumbed to the ravages of Wilson's disease, a rare inherited disorder that causes copper to accumulate in the liver, brain, and other vital organs.
Rest in Power Bergen Williams. pic.twitter.com/IofrOOF8So
- Bergen Williams account managed by her sister (@bergenw) November 17, 2021
Born in Inglewood California in 1959, Williams began her acting career in the 90s and appeared in TV series such as Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, Nurses, NYPD Blue, 7th Heaven, and Babylon 5. However, her best known role was that of the Quartermaine maid on General Hospital, a role she took on in 2001 and played on a recurring basis until 2014.
Though the Quartermaine clan hired Alice as a housekeeper, they quickly came to view her as a bona fide family member and allowed her to live in the Quartermaine mansion, where she often joined the family for their famous Thanksgiving pizza dinners. Fans will also recall that "Big Alice" moonlighted as a wrestler known as the Dominator for most of the early part of the 2000s. Lucy Coe's book, Travel Guide to Port Charles: When to Go, Where to Live, Who to Love, and Who to Never, Ever Cross in America's Most Dramatic City, revealed that Alice retired as the Quartermaine maid shortly after receiving a heart transplant in 2014.
Williams' fans and GH colleagues have begun sharing their condolences online, including Wally Kurth (Ned Quartermaine), who wrote, "Sending heartfelt condolences to Bergen's family. She was a bright light in the Q house for many years. RIP."
Sending heartfelt condolences to Bergen's family. She was a bright light in the Q house for many years. RIP 🙏❤️ https://t.co/vyuxewycSj
- Wally Kurth (@wallykurth) November 17, 2021
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) shared a video of a memorable scene -- and kiss -- with Williams.
Best kiss evah! RIP dear Bergen. ?@bergenw? ?@GeneralHospital? pic.twitter.com/DOJvVVRHF2
— Nancy Lee Grahn (@NancyLeeGrahn) November 17, 2021
What were your favorite memories of Bergen Williams' time as GH's Quartermaine maid Alice Gunderson? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
