At the age of 79, Leslie Charleson, a well-liked actress who was best known for her long-running role as Dr. Monica Quartermaine on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, unfortunately passed away. Fans of General Hospital have lost a genuinely unique talent with her passing on January 12; this signifies the end of an era for those who have been following the show.
Many people, including her admirers, friends, family, and coworkers, are in a state of profound grief following her departure on Sunday morning. The executive producer of General Hospital, Frank Valentini, is one of the people who is mourning her passing. He sent a touching homage to her on the official Instagram account for the show. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” Valentini wrote;
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce her passing.” In the same way that Monica was the center of the Quartermaine family, Leslie was a much-loved matriarch of the whole cast and crew. Her long legacy has extended over half a century on General Hospital alone!” Her quick wit, her wonderful presence on set, and our daily conversations are all things that I will miss. During this trying time, my deepest condolences go out to her family and friends on behalf of everyone around here at General Hospital.
After suffering many falls over the course of the past few years, Leslie Charleson, who had joined General Hospital in 1977, had been experiencing difficulties with her mobility. An official cause of death has not yet been announced, however her most recent fall resulted in her being admitted to the hospital just one week before she passed away. Charleson continued to be devoted to her trade and a treasured member of the General Hospital family until the time of her final performance in December 2023, despite the physical issues she faced with her body.
As the daughter of a publishing executive, Leslie was raised in a pleasant environment. She was born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, and she was raised here. It was easier for Leslie to get her start in the acting business since she had an early connection to the entertainment industry. Her neighbor was the president of ABC. She began her career in 1964, when she was only 19 years old, with a role on the ABC daytime soap opera A Flame in the Wind, which continued for only a brief period of time. Due to the fact that her talent was immediately apparent, she was able to secure a position on the television show As the World Turns, which further solidified her career.
The journey that Leslie took to become an actress was defined not only by her own devotion but also by the direction that she received from more experienced mentors. The advise that she received from Roy Poole, a veteran of the soap opera industry, was that she should “don’t think of the 9 million people who are watching.” She recalled this advice in 1993. Regarding your hands, you need not be concerned. Leslie chuckled warmly about the recommendation, noting that she had a difficult time figuring out what to do with her hands the first time around. The fear that she had about her hands, however, began to ebb away as time went on since she felt more at ease in her roles.
The most noteworthy role that Charleson has ever played was when she joined General Hospital in 1977 and played the part of Dr. Monica Quartermaine. A number of challenges were encountered by Monica’s character during the course of her life, including the decision to give up a child for adoption, being held prisoner, and battling breast cancer. Monica’s fight against breast cancer, which aired from 1994 to 2000, would go down in history as one of the most important storylines of her career.
Leslie revealed her personal link to the plot in an interview that took place in 2022 with her co-star on General Hospital, Maurice Benard. She stated, “We had all women—women writers, a woman producer—and they had all been affected by breast cancer, including us.” It was in my mother’s life.” The fact that she went to Wellness Hospitals to make sure that the depiction of breast cancer was as precise and realistic as possible was another revelation that she made. This demonstrates the team’s dedication to producing a story that is genuine.
She received four nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series from the Daytime Emmys in the years 1980, 1982, 1983, and 1995 for her performance as Monica Quartermaine, which gained her widespread acclaim. She also made an appearance in the television movie Woman on the Ledge, which was released in 1993, starring Deidre Hall and Colleen Zenk. As Leslie reflected on her time spent on General Hospital, she lovingly recalled the enchantment that prevailed throughout the 1980s, in which Gloria Monty served as the chief producer. During the golden years of the show, she reflected on the fact that “there was such a sense of excitement.”
Apart from her legendary role on General Hospital, Leslie Charleson had a tremendous career that spanned many years. In addition, she featured in the spinoffs of General Hospital: Night Shift (2008) and Port Charles (1997–2001), further solidifying her position as a legendary figure in the world of soap operas. Because of her ability to adapt to new situations and her commitment to her art, she is considered to be one of the most respected actresses in the industry.
“Interest in the material is what keeps you around and relationships,” Leslie said in an interview with Digital Journal back in 2019, when asked about the factors that had contributed to her long and successful career. “I am the only actor on the show that doesn’t have another soap opera to talk about because I have never done another soap opera, while almost everybody else has,” she said, referring to a distinctive facet of her professional life. She also mentioned “I have never done another soap opera.”
Fans, members of the General Hospital cast, and anybody else who liked Leslie Charleson’s work are left with a hole in their hearts as a result of her passing! Her influence on the program and the people that watch it cannot be denied, and her legacy will continue to be carried on by the characters that she brought to life, particularly Monica Quartermaine. On General Hospital and in the realm of daytime television, the passing of Leslie signifies the end of an era. Family and friends of Leslie Charleson, as well as the cast and crew of General Hospital, are in our thoughts and prayers at this time. I pray that she finds eternal rest.
