Leslie Charleson, renowned 'General Hospital' actress, dies at 79

Leslie Charleson, 79, best known for playing the role of Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera General Hospital passed away, announced the the show's executive producer Frank Valentini on Sunday, January 12th. 

In a heartfelt post on Instagram, Valentini relayed the news about Charleson's death and paid homage to her legacy and time on the show. "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," he stated. "I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set."

Charleson began playing the role of Monica Quartermaine in 1977, eventually going on to become the casr member who was on the show the longest. She was also a four-time Daytime Emmy nominee. 

Born in Kansas City, Missouri in 1945, Charleson went into acting at a young age and studied theater at Bennett College in New York. Before starring in General Hospital in 1977, she acted in projects like NBC's A Flame in the Wind and the 1971 horror film Revenge. 

Charleson joined General Hospital at a time when the series ratings were low and initially only signed on for two years. Ultimately she ended up loving to play the character of Monica which led her to stay longer than other cast members.

She also made guest appearances on Diagnosis: Murder and Dharma & Greg and also played herself in a 2004 episode of Friends, alongside Joey on a game show. 

Charleson married only once in her life, to Bill Demms, from 1988 to 1991.