Leslie Charleson, the actress famous for playing Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, has passed away.
GH Executive Producer Frank Valentini confirmed her death on X, sharing a heartfelt message. He wrote, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, @lesliecharleson. Her remarkable legacy lasted nearly 50 years on @GeneralHospital. Just like Monica was the heart of the Quartermaine family, Leslie Charleson was a beloved figure for the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her sharp wit, and her incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at #GeneralHospital, my deepest sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this tough time.”
Leslie Charleson, a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee, portrayed the beloved matriarch Monica Quartermaine from 1977 to 2023. Due to health reasons, she had to step back from the show, and her last appearance was in December 2023.
Born in Missouri, Leslie Charleson began her career in television with roles in soaps like A Flame in the Wind and As the World Turns. This led to many appearances on shows like The Wild, Wild West, Mannix, Adam-12, Medical Center, Happy Days, and Cannon.
She joined General Hospital in 1977, replacing Patsy Rahn as Monica. Leslie recalled in an interview with Soap Opera Digest in 2022 that she started the same day Elvis Presley died. She was upset about the news and arrived at the studio only to be told that there was a strike, and she had to bring her own wardrobe and makeup. Once there, she felt that the cast was not very welcoming, as the previous actress who played Monica had been abruptly fired.
Monica’s on-screen marriage to Alan, played by the late Stuart Damon, was a fan favorite, even with the character’s affairs, heated arguments, and multiple breakups. They remarried in 1991 and stayed together until Alan’s death in 2007.
Leslie also used her platform to raise awareness about breast cancer, especially after her character was diagnosed with the disease in the mid-90s.
In Short: Leslie Charleson was an American actress best known for her role as Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, a part she played for nearly 50 years. She joined the soap opera in 1977 and became a beloved figure on the show. In addition to her work on General Hospital, she appeared in other TV series, including A Flame in the Wind and As the World Turns. Charleson also advocated for breast cancer awareness, following her character’s diagnosis in the 90s. She passed away in 2025 at the age of 79.
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