Leslie Charleson, 'General Hospital' Star, Dies at 79: A Look Back at Her Career

Leslie Charleson, Famous for Her Role on 'General Hospital,' Dies at 79

At the age of 79, actress Leslie Charleson, who was well-known for playing Monica Quartermaine in the enduring soap opera *General Hospital*, has away. An era in daytime television comes to an end with her passing.

Highlights of My Career: From TV Dramas to Soap Operas

Born in 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri, Charlson studied drama at Bennett College in New York after starting acting as a child. She played parts in *As the World Turns* and *Love is a Many Splendored Thing* after making her soap opera debut in 1964 with *A Flame in the Wind*.

Her admission to *General Hospital* in 1977 turned out to be a game-changer. Charlson took Patsy Rahn's place as Monica Bard Weber (later Monica Quartermaine), joining the cast during a time when ratings were dropping. She brought the program back to life with her depiction of Monica, a complicated and fervent doctor, and she remained popular with viewers for decades.

In addition to soap operas, Charlson shared guest spots on well-known television programs such as *Marcus Welby, M.D.*, *Happy Days*, *The Streets of San Francisco*, *The Rockford Files*, and *Owen Marshall, Counselor at Law*. In addition, she starred in the horror movie *Revenge!* in 1971.

The General Hospital's Legacy

Charleson's portrayal as Monica Quartermaine, the longest-serving cast member on *General Hospital*, lasted for almost 50 years. "When Monica loves, she loves passionately," she reportedly remarked, reflecting on her personality. She gives it her all, sometimes at the expense of other people. A personal milestone marked the start of her adventure on the show: the day Elvis Presley died was also her first day on site. Charleson's performance won over viewers and coworkers despite a difficult beginning, which included the strain of replacing the previous Monica.

Charlson's incredible career ended when she moved away from acting due to health concerns.

Following a fall, Leslie Charleson had to take a leave of absence from his job.

Born in Kansas City, Missouri, Leslie Charleson garnered a sizable fan following his roles in a number of TV series and movies. Her performance in *General Hospital* received the greatest accolades. Although her character has been in the series since 1977, she took a break from it for a while in 2018 due to a drop in her popularity. Leslie Charleson had to take almost two months off after getting hurt while walking her dog, according to *The Sun*. The official *General Hospital* page on X (previously Twitter) verified this information.

According to a UPI article at the time, Patty McCormack would play Leslie's character in the interim while she healed from her accident. Leslie thanked everyone for their support and good wishes following her fall in a message she shared on X later that year. She stated, "I am trying my best to recover quickly because all I want is to get back on my horse and return to the Quartermaine living room!"

Closer Weekly revealed in October 2024 that Leslie Charleson made a comeback to the series in July 2018. Deadline claims that Leslie did not return following her last appearance as Monica in General Hospital in December 2023. However, in October 2024, a *Closer Weekly* source asserted that Leslie was having a difficult time getting over her health problems, especially given her advanced age. In the same month, she was seen leaving for lunch in Los Angeles with an unnamed individual who seemed to be looking after her.

Who was the husband of Leslie Charleson?

Charlson married businessman G. William Demms in Rowayton, Connecticut, in 1988. The event was planned by Demms, a University of Connecticut alumnus and president of the gift company Basketfuls and More, in collaboration with his ministerial sister. The couple eventually got divorced, but the specifics of their split are still unknown. Charlson's incredible career ended when she moved away from acting due to health concerns. She is still regarded as one of the most adored stars in the genre because of her priceless contributions to daytime television, even after her retirement

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini lamented her death, stating, "Her lasting legacy spans over 50 years... Every member of the cast and crew adored Leslie. Valentini lauded her influence on the show and offered his sympathies to her loved ones.