Breaking News
Denise Alexander, ‘General Hospital’s’ Lesley Webber and ‘Days of our Lives’ Susan Martin, Dead at 85
Denise Alexander, one of the most beloved actresses to ever appear in the daytime soap opera genre, has passed away back at the age of 85. General Hospital fans know her best for her role as Dr. Lesley Webber, and Days of our Lives fans know her from her role as Susan Hunter Martin. While no cause of death has been given at this time, it should be noted that the Alexander passed away back on March 5th.
Frank Valentini, the executive producer of General Hospital took to X on Friday and expressed: “I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander’s passing. She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber – one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television – for nearly five decades. It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. On behalf of the entire General Hospital family, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and longtime fans. May she rest in peace.”
Before General Hospital, Denise got her acting start in numerous primetime series including, Father Knows Best, The Danny Thomas Show and The Twilight Zone. However, soaps were going to come calling in a big way after her first stint in 1960 on The Clear Horizon as Lois Adams.
Photo: NBC
Next, Denise was cast as Susan Martin on NBC’s Days of our Lives back in 1966 who would be the nemesis of Julie Olson played by Susan Seaforth Hayes. It was the character of Susan Martin who brought the character of Doug Williams (AKA Brent Douglass to Salem) played by the late Bill Hayes, to Salem and paid him to have an affair with Julie. In real life, Denise, Susan and Bill were very close.
Eventually, in a shocking move, Denise’s contract negotiations with DAYS stalled in 1973 and she left the show and went on to join the cast of General Hospital. When Alexander came to GH, it was a fledgling soap opera. Denise was tapped to be become part of daytime’s hottest triangle with Rick Webber (first played by Michael Gregory, then Chris Robinson), and Monica Bard (Patsy Rahn, followed by the late Leslie Charleson). In addition, in story, Lesley confessed to the murder of David Hamilton, a crime her daughter Laura (Genie Francis) had committed in an effort to save her from jail time.
Photo: JPI
In a 2020 interview with Soap Opera Digest, Alexander reminded viewers, “I always say this, and I hope Leslie Charleson does, too: The first time that General Hospital ever went to number one in our era, it was on the Lesley/Rick/Monica storyline. It wasn’t Luke (Anthony Geary( and Laura. They went farther than anyone dreamed possible, of course, but that was a big triangle back then.”
Alexander’s initial contract on GH from 1973 to 1984, when Lesley was killed off in a car accident that sent outrage reverberating through GH fans. It would take 12 years for GH to right the wrong, and in true soap fashion, Lesley actually survived the crash and returned in 1996. From then until 2009, Alexander appeared on the ABC soap. She later made several guest appearances in in 2013, 2017, 2019, and her final appearance in 2021. Throughout her time on GH, she earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for Lead Actress in 1976.
Photo: ABC
During the 12-year hiatus from GH, Denise was cast on Another World in the role of Mary McKinnon, and would reunite with Chris Robinson who played Jason Frame. In one of her more recent projects, Alexander appeared in the 10-episode digital comedy, Pretty the Series.
Genie Francis, Alexander’s longtime on-screen daughter, told TV Insider on working with Denise, “I loved her. She loved me. I stole her good stuff. When I look at myself sometimes on television… I have been kind of taken aback because I realized I just did Denise… I was so young, she imprinted on me. And some of my style of acting was directly imprinted on me by Denise Alexander. And she was very, very good to me as I was growing up.”
Kin Shriner (Scott, GH), who in his early years was paired with Genie Francis as Scotty and Laura, took to X upon the news of Alexander’s passing and expressed, “I always walked on egg shells but Denise was a true pro , we had fun, RIP to Denise Alexander, what a time we had !!!!”
Denise is survived by her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Colla, from her marriage to Richard A. Colla, who passed on December 24, 2021, also at age of 85.
Now below, check out the video clips featuring the late Denise Alexander and Leslie Charleson from General Hospital’s 56th anniversary special in 2019. Followed by the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award tribute to Bill and Susan Seaforth Hayes where Denise shares her memories of working with the iconic duo and more, which was produced by Michael Fairman.
Share your remembrances and condolences on the death of one of daytime’s all-stars, Denise Alexander via the comment section.
❤️ RIP Denise Alexander.
One of the greatest daytime characters. Her scenes with Monica were my favorite. #GH #GeneralHospital pic.twitter.com/37PF30KjKm https://t.co/7FJBfMPsWe
— (@IsntDaveOne) May 9, 2025
“I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander’s passing. She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber – one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television – for nearly five decades. It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am… pic.twitter.com/AqbOX9afiE
— General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) May 10, 2025
Omgosh I loved her so much she was wonderful on every show she did she was just so beautiful and talented. Very sad news.
Sorry to hear of Denise’s passing. With all of Laura’s mentions of her mother the last few weeks, I thought we might be seeing Leslie show up in Port Charles soon, most likely for Monica’s funeral, whenever they get around to putting that on screen.
Now instead, it looks like we get another funeral, which they will no doubt have, now that Laura actually has 2 of her 3 chidren in town, along with the grandkids (and Nikolas could be one casting decision away from making it 3 for 3)
I doubt we’ll get a full funeral for Lesley as (sadly) there aren’t many of the vets around who interacted with her. However, Lesley’s health could be the explanation for Genie’s annual summer hiatus.
Regardless, RIP to a Daytime Dynamo and GH legend.
The set designers need to significantly revamp the Hospital Memorial section with two major additions and little space in the current format.
Thank you, Michael. I appreciate your having confirmed information on her passing before posting. Leslie was a talented actress, and she has been missed.
She was such a lovely lady and I really liked the character of Lesley. I loved her dynamic with Laura. I also loved her dynamic with the hospital staff. She was such a sweet character. May she rest in peace.
Sad news. I knew Denise was in poor health when she didn’t return as Susan on #Days for Doug’s funeral. May she rest in peace.
I am so profoundly sorry to get this news. Denise Alexander was an absolute treasure. I remember her noticing her during her career in episodic television. I vaguely remember her in the old Danny Thomas show. My clearest early really memory is her in the Twilight Zone episode, “Third from the Sun.” I was thrilled when she joined GH. I loved the Lesley/Rick/Monica/Alan stories. And I loved the Lesley and Laura relationship too. Thank you for the photo of Rick and Lesley, Aunt Ruby, Bobby, Luke, and Laura. That brings back so many memories. Denise was always so authentic in her performances. I loved her so much. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Thank you Ms. Alexander for sharing your tremendous talent with us. May you rest in peace.
This is such sad news… Denise Alexander was such a joy to watch. I do remember when she started at GH after having acted on DOOL, and it was huge news, even in the days when the main media format for soaps was print magazines.
During her entire daytime run, Alexander was mesmerizing, and I believe it was her witty personality that prompted the GH writers to give Lesley some humor, even amid all the dramatic storylines and compelling love stories. Her work with everyone (especially Genie Francis, Leslie Charleson, Michael Gregory, Chris Robinson, and Don Matheson) was compelling and enjoyable. She will be missed. May her memory be a blessing.
Denise and Genie had the best mother/daughter relationship in the history of soaps. And they were both the best criers! May she rest in peace.
Sorry to read this. She was great on GH back in the day of the Lesley/Rick/Monica triangle. Fortunately, many great clips are still available on youtube to re-watch those moments. Rest in Peace.
Watching Denise as Susan Martin shoot and kill her husband David after blaming him for their son’s death was absolutely riveting storytelling and acting and made me a life long soap fan. I followed her to GH (while maintaining my loyalty to Days) and I’ve been watching both ever since. Lesley, Rick & Laura were a wonderful family and the Luke & Laura storyline (1979-1982) was my all time favorite soap story and couple. RIP dear Ms Alexander.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
View this post on Instagram
In what could prove to be a massive shake-up ahead, both the TV Academy (ATAS), who presides over the Primetime Emmys, and the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS), who preside over the Daytime Emmys, are in exploratory reunification discussions to merge the two organizations into one.
Both sides received an overwhelming vote and support from their boards to evaluate what a unified Academy could look like. However there is no formal calendar at this juncture for the discussions. In addition, because of the ongoing unification talks that should occur, the TV Academy board has voted to extend all current sitting Governors’ terms by one year so they can see the process through.
Boards at both organizations voted overwhelmingly to evaluate what a unified Academy could make possible: a strong vision for the Academy’s future, more effective thought leadership for the industry, broader service and support for members coast-to-coast, and new momentum and opportunities across the full complement of national Emmy competitions.
Photos: ATAS/NATAS
AFTER NEARLY 50 YEARS, CAN THE EMMYS BE UNDER ONE BANNER?
In a joint statement, ATAS and NATAS shared, “Television remains the most powerful medium we have to shape culture and prompt conversations that define us—no matter the size of the screen, With the business of television undergoing such a monumental transformation, this is the right moment to explore a reunification of our Academies, providing our members and our industry with a bolder voice advocating for them and a stronger partner to navigate the future with them.”
If the reunification talks continue, this would be the first time since the two Emmy organizations split back on June 30, 1977 that they have tried to come together, all of this after almost three decades of often uneasy and strained tension between the two.
The most recent joint change came in 2022 when a move of the game show categories went from NATAS to ATAS’ and now are in the Primetime Emmys.
Deadline notes that a unification of the two television academies who overall preside over nighttime and daytime programming would be similar how SAG and AFTRA used to represent performers from completely different dayparts of work.
Could the Daytime Emmys finally see some love in primetime and have their major categories televised as part of the annual kudofest every September? Stay tuned.
Meanwhile, the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards ceremony will take place live on Monday, September 14th starting at 8:00 p.m. ET / 5:00 p.m. PT and air on NBC and stream on Peacock emanating from the Peacock Theatre in Los Angeles. While, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will take place on Friday, October 30, time to be announced, live from the Hollywood Palladium and will be streamed on watchtheemmys.tv
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) is a service organization dedicated to the advancement of the arts and sciences of television and the promotion of creative leadership for artistic, educational and technical achievements within the television industry. It recognizes excellence in television with the coveted Emmy Awards for News & Documentary, Sports, Daytime and Children’s & Family programming, as well as achievements in television Technology & Engineering.
The Television Academy (ATAS) strives to shape and advance the dynamic television landscape; cultivate a diverse, inclusive and accessible professional community; and advocate for the television industry while capturing the spirit of a new generation of content creators and industry professionals. Through innovative programs, publications and events, the Academy and its Foundation foster and empower storytellers. The Academy also celebrates those who excel in the industry recognizing their achievements through awards and accolades, including the renowned Emmy Award. Membership in the Academy is open to working professionals in the television industry.
So, would you like to see the Primetime Emmy and the Daytime Emmys fold into one show if the two unions reached a unification arrangement? Do you hope that after almost 50 years, the two organizations can finally make some serious headway? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 15
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 15, respectively.
General Hospital was next with 13 overall nominations, followed by Days of our Lives with 8 and The Bold and the Beautiful with 7 nods. The full reveal on Tuesday, follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony are set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California. The ceremony is currently planned to stream via watch.theemmys.tv and its associated apps. For the second year in a row, both the main Emmys and the Creative Arts will be presented together in one night.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming. This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories. Congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Photo: ABC
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Photo: WBTV
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Photo: CBS
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
Outstanding Costume Design / Styling for a Daytime Program
The Jennifer Hudson Show, Episode 4140
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless Episode 13149
The Young and the Restless Episode 13273
Outstanding Sound Mixing and Sound Editing for a Live Daytime Program
The Bold and the Beautiful, Episode 9658
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4039
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5007
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13260
Outstanding Lighting Direction for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates Episode 104
General Hospital Episode 15624
The Jennifer Hudson Show Episode 4010
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 6169
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Art Direction/Set Decoration/Scenic Design for a Daytime Program
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Live with Kelly and Mark Episode 250414
The View Episode 6280
The Young and the Restless Episode 13145
The Young and the Restless Episode 13244
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
‘General Hospital’ Fan Club Weekend 2026 (Photos)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
GH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun Written Out of The Young and the Restless
Rosie O’Donnell Says She Will Return to ‘The View’ During its Season 30
WWE SummerSlam 2026 Night Two: Top 5 Takeaways
GENERAL HOSPITAL Preview: Serena Sets Her Sights on Michael; Jason’s Emotional Exit from the Mob
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Katie is Suspicious of Dylan and Warns Will, Steffy Takes Off to Monaco
-
Recaps1 week agoTHE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Katie is Disowned By The Logan Sisters
-
General Hospital4 days agoGH Alum Nicholas Alexander Chavez Lands Role in Paramount’s Remake of ‘Possession’
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Reveals His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy-Nominated Reel Did Not Contain Monica’s Funeral
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Ethan Lovett Recast: Christian Howard Replaces Nathan Dean
-
General Hospital1 week ago‘General Hospital’ Alum Colin Cassidy to Appear in Ryan Murphy’s ‘The Shards’
-
General Hospital3 days agoGENERAL HOSPITAL: Ethan Lovett Hightails Out of the Country, Christian Howard Wraps His Stint
-
News5 days ago‘The Young and the Restless’ Names New Co-Head Writers: Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor
-
News5 days agoY&R’s Billy Flynn and Gina Comparetto Reveal Birth of Their Third Child and It’s a Girl!
