Daytime soap star dead at 79

Leslie Charleson, the actress best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine on “General Hospital,” died at the age of 79.

General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini announced Charleson’s death on the show’s official Instagram page on Sunday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” he began.

“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.”

Charleson debuted in the role in 1977, making her the cast member who was on the show the longest. She was a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee.

“I only signed on for two years, and I don’t know what happened,” Charleson told Digital Journal in 2019 on her long tenure. “I like her spunk, independence and everything about her. Back then, there weren’t a lot of good female roles that had that. It was an amazing time, and it was strong material to act.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for The Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile App from 6 to 9 a.m. daily.

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