January 13, 2025– Leslie Charleson, the longest-serving cast member on ‘General Hospital’, has died at the age of 79.

The actress – who was best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine on the ABC daytime soap opera – passed away on Sunday (12.01.25), a week after being hospitalised following a nasty fall.

General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini posted a touching tribute to Leslie on the show’s official Instagram page.

It read: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson.

“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. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

Leslie had suffered “several falls” prior to the one before her death, which led to mobility issues, and in 2010, it was announced that she was being demoted to recurring status on the soap.In 2017, she injured her leg after a fall and went on hiatus from the show, with Patty McCormack filling in her for.

She would go on to suffer yet another fall that would see her have a temporary replacement.

‘General Hospital’ kept hopes of a return by always noting that the Quatermaine family matriarch was “upstairs”.

Leslie first joined the show in 1977 and was a recurring cast member until December 2023.

She earned four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for playing Monica between 1980 and 1995.

The actress was a series regular on another soap, CBS’ ‘Love Is a Many Splendored Thing’, between 1967 and 1970, playing the part of Iris Donnelly Garrison.

Leslie also had roles in hit shows including ‘Friends’, ‘Happy Days’. ‘Dharma and Greg’, and ‘Cannon’.