“General Hospital” Mourns Loss of Leslie Charleson, Soap Legend

General Hospital Key Art

The halls of General Hospital are a little less grand today. Leslie Charleson, the actress who embodied the formidable Monica Quartermaine for nearly five decades, has passed away at the age of 79. For generations of soap opera fans, Charleson was Monica, a character who weathered more storms than a Port Charles hurricane season.

Executive Producer Frank Valentini confirmed the news, sharing a heartfelt tribute on social media. He described Charleson as not just a colleague, but a “beloved matriarch” of the cast and crew, a true reflection of the impact she had both on and off screen. While the specific cause of death has not been publicly disclosed, Charleson had been fighting an illness, which led to her final appearance on the show in December 2023, marking the end of an era.

Charleson’s career wasn’t just defined by longevity; it was marked by an enduring presence. She joined General Hospital in 1977, and Monica quickly became a cornerstone of the show, a woman of steel in a town full of shifting alliances and questionable life choices. Four Daytime Emmy nominations underscored Charleson’s skill in portraying the complexities of Monica’s character, a woman who could be both fiercely protective and surprisingly vulnerable.

RELATED:   Extreme Makeover: Home Edition Season Finale: Banner MD Anderson Cancer Center (ABC, Thursday, February 13, 2025)

Before arriving in Port Charles, Charleson’s daytime career began in 1964 with “A Flame in the Wind.” She also graced the sets of “As the World Turns” and “Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,” honing her craft and establishing a presence that would eventually land her the iconic role of Monica. Beyond the soap opera world, Charleson made appearances in classic television series like “Happy Days” and “The Rockford Files.” She also ventured into the realm of TV movies, adding titles like “Revenge!” and “Woman on the Ledge” to her resume.

RELATED:   The Bold and the Beautiful Spoilers, Wednesday, February 19, 2025

Charleson’s portrayal of Monica Quartermaine transcended the typical soap opera archetype. Monica wasn’t simply a grand dame; she was a complex, evolving character who reflected the changing landscape of daytime television. Charleson brought a depth to Monica that resonated with audiences, cementing her place in soap opera history. Now, as General Hospital continues without her, it’s hard not to feel like a piece of its history has quietly slipped away.

General Hospital airs weekdays at 2:00 PM on ABC.

Let's be honest, the world lost a mediocre musician but gained an exceptional TV enthusiast. Now, as MemorableTV.com's TV Previews Editor, Riley channels that passion into bringing you the hottest takes on everything from must-see dramas to guilty-pleasure reality shows. So, ditch the band practice and cue the binge-watching – Riley's got the inside scoop on what's worth watching (and what's not).