The news was shared via a heartfelt post on the official General Hospital Instagram account.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” wrote Frank Valentini, the show’s Executive Producer. He praised her enduring legacy, which spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone, and likened her to the heart of the entire cast and crew.
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Valentini expressed his sorrow at losing their daily chats, her quick wit, and incredible presence on set. He extended his deepest sympathies to her loved ones during this difficult time.
The post, made to @generalhospitalabc just before 6:30 p. m.on Sunday, was met with an outpouring of condolences from Instagram users.
Someone else expressed: “Wow! So sad! May she rest in peace.”
With over 10,000 likes hitting the post within just 30 minutes, many shared flower and crying face emojis accompanying their farewells to the cherished character, with one message standing out for its simplicity: “Goodbye Monica.”
The announcement, which did not disclose the cause of death, followed a series of health struggles faced by Charleson.
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Charleson’s final appearance as Monica aired in December 2023. Her transition to a part-time role in 2010 sparked protests among viewers.
A fall in 2017 marked the beginning of her health difficulties, leading to a temporary recast with Patty McCormack filling in during her recovery. Further health issues led to another brief replacement and last October brought news that her return was unlikely.
Despite frequently being referenced as just upstairs at the Quartermaines’ mansion, Charleson’s injuries required a walker—yet her indomitable spirit remained unshaken. After a recent fall and subsequent hospitalization, she passed away.
A long-standing figure in General Hospital, Charleson joined the ABC soap opera in 1977. Hailing from Kansas City, she began her daytime television career in 1964, starring in the ABC soap opera A Flame in the Wind.
Later, she appeared on CBS’s Love Is A Many Splendored Thing. Charleson also had roles on The Rockford Files, The Wild West, The Streets of San Francisco, Marcus Welby, M.D., Mannix, Ironside and Happy Days.
She featured in the 1973 movie The Day of the Dolphin, and made guest appearances years later on Dharma and Greg, Diagnosis: Murder, Friends, before starring in another film, Woman on the Ledge, in 1993. Monica was part of one of daytime television’s most popular love triangles, involving her character and Rick and Alan, other characters on the popular soap opera.
Charleson was known for bringing humor to her character, often slapping people, and drama, having lost three of her children and having been shot multiple times. Her character also survived breast cancer.
Over the years, she earned four Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actress and remained a regular fixture of the soap for over 30 years.
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