Follow us on Google News
Get the latest updates directly in your Google News feed
If you thinkThe SimpsonsandSaturday Night Livehave been on for a long time, wait till you hear about the final boss of soap operas –General Hospital.The show began all the way back in 1963 and is still alive and kicking and how. Holding the Guinness World Record for the longest-running American soap opera in production,General Hospitalis one of the few shows that have managed to keep its audience interested throughout its history.
Whether you’re an OG fan or new to it all, the drama, twists, and unforgettable characters will pull you in like a siren’s call and never let you go. Speaking of unforgettable characters, late actress Leslie Charleson played the role of Monica Quartermaine on the TV show. Her first episode premiered in 1977 and since then, she stuck with the show throughout her life. However,General Hospitalis not all she’s achieved in her career.
Leslie Charleson’s impeccable career
From love triangles to family feuds, Leslie Charleson’s Monica Quartermaine has been the heart of many iconic moments inGeneral Hospital’s history. From being a bad-girl archetype doctor to struggling with her personal life, Monica quickly became a fan favorite on the show.
The ‘General Hospital’ Story No One Knows: John Stamos’ Mom is Why ABC Refused to Kill off Blackie Parrish
On the forty-first anniversary of her time on the show, Charleson took to social media to talk about how the best chapter of her career began on a sad note – with the legendElvis Presley’s death.
She tweeted about Presley’s death in 1977 and the simultaneous beginning of her time onGeneral Hospitalstating,
41 years ago today, Elvis Presley died and I started on GH. Little did I know something so good could come out of such a sad day.
Charleson was the longest-running actor on the show and her last appearance was back in 2023. However, before the career-defining role came into her life, she had already established herself as a force to reckon with.
Born in 1945, Charleson began her life as an actress in 1964 when she got a role in the short-lived soap opera,A Flame in the Wind.From there, she went on to add more and more television projects to her portfolio including As the World Turns,Love Is a Many Splendored Thing,and so much more.
She also dabbled in the film industry withA Lovely Way to DieandThe Day of the Dolphinbefore signing onGeneral Hospital.Needless to say, while the longest-running soap opera will remain the title Charleson is known for, her career expands further than we could have imagined. The entertainment industry sure lost a gem.
Leslie Charleson passes away at the age of 79
Charleson met her ultimate end on July 09, 2025, shocking her loyal fans and forcing the entire entertainment industry into mourning. The icon so many grew up watching was no more and it was nothing less than heartbreaking.
The executive producer ofGeneral Hospital,Frank Valentini,announced the actress’ demise (viaVariety) stating,“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson.”
‘General Hospital’ Could Never Become Ron Hale’s “first love” Despite Starring in 238 Episodes of the Show
Charleson’s health had been a struggle for her for quite some time. As per Variety, she suffered some serious falls which prevented her movement and resulted in her using a walker to get around. She was also hospitalized a week earlier after a similar fall.
Despite the earlier health scares, Charleson’s passing still hit like a thunderbolt. Her impact on the industry stretches far beyondGeneral Hospitaland it goes without saying that her legacy will continue to live on.
General Hospitalis available to watch on Hulu.
Mishkaat Khan
Senior Writer
Articles Published :2256
A connoisseur of all things horror, fantasy, and the occasional chick flick, Mishkaat has been penning pieces for FandomWire since 2022. She started off as an intern and has worked her way up to a Senior Writer with over 2000 articles to her name.Outside of entertainment, she has also written well-researched medical content as a freelance writer and has experience in social media management.When not writing, you can find her relaxing with a romance novel and a tall glass of iced coffee in her hand or watching re-runs of ‘Supernatural’ and ‘The Office.’
