Denise Alexander, ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ star, dies at 85

Veteran soap actress Denise Alexander, known for General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, has died at age 85.

Veteran soap opera actress Denise Alexander, best known for her roles on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 85.

Alexander was a prominent figure in daytime television from the 1960s through the 2000s, portraying Susan Hunter Martin on NBC’s Days of Our Lives and Dr. Lesley Webber on ABC’s General Hospital.

Alexander’s acting career began in the 1950s with a Broadway role in The Children’s Hour, followed by appearances on shows like The Twilight Zone. She joined Days of Our Lives in 1966, appearing in over 800 episodes until her departure in 1973, the same year she transitioned to General Hospital.

Her move to GH caused a media stir but revitalized the struggling series. Her character became central to a key love triangle and earned Alexander a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1976. She left the show in 1984 amid contract disputes but returned in 1996, ultimately appearing in over 1,000 episodes until her final appearance in 2021.

Alexander was married for over 40 years to director and actor Richard Colla, who passed away in 2021.

Tributes poured in from former co-stars, including Genie Francis and Susan Seaforth Hayes. GH executive producer Frank Valentini also praised Alexander’s legacy, calling her one of the first female doctors on daytime TV and a barrier-breaking actress whose influence spanned decades.

Alexander’s contributions to daytime television leave a lasting impact on generations of viewers and colleagues alike.