Leslie Charleson, known for acting in the hit show “General Hospital” has passed away at the age of 79. The award-winning actress played the role of Monica Quartermaine on the show for roughly five decades. Charleson began acting on the ABC show in 1977 and appeared in over 2,000 episodes of the long-running soap opera.
A statement on the show’s official Instagram account from “General Hospital” executive producer Frank Valentini read, “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.”
ABC7 Los Angeles released a similar statement honoring Charleson, which read, “REST IN PEACE: Daytime legend and soap opera icon Leslie Charleson has died after battling a long illness. For generations of “General Hospital” viewers, she was the heart of the Quartermaine family – Monica Quartermaine – a role she began in 1977. 🙏🕊️”
Users on social media offered their sincerest condolences to the late actress. “I am deeply saddened to hear the news of Leslie’s passing. She was such a remarkable woman of such strength and courage. Her talents were so beautiful and rare on a great actress. Her long-acting career will be cherished by all. My deepest condolences to her family and friends. You are resting with God. Love Love always, sweet ange. Gone but never forgotten 🙏❤️🌹” one person wrote.
4-time Emmy nominated actor Jon Lindstrom offered his condolences, writing, “This lady so deserves to be remembered. #LeslieCharleson was one of the funniest, most talented, and smartest people I ever had the good fortune to know. And I even got to work with her. She could be rude and crude but always with a sense of humor. Everyone loved being around her, even when she’d deliberately roll over your foot with her wheelchair. Yes, she did that to me & I loved her for it. She also had a resume to respect & envy, from #GH to those Pearl Drops commercials to The Day of the Dolphin w/ Mike Nichols & George C. Scott. R.I.P. #FlightOfAngels #MonicaQuartermaine @GeneralHospital”
Similarly, Emmy award-winning actress Sarah Joy Brown wrote on X, “Rest in peace Leslie Charleson 🥲 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 Q’s always made me laugh. Her timing was legendary. Sending my condolences to her friends, family, fans, and all of her co-workers 🕊️ #lesliecharleson.”
Featured image credit: CBS Television, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons, https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Leslie_Charleson_1967.JPG
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