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General Hospital Co-Stars Past and Present Pay Tribute and Mourn the Loss of Leslie Charleson

By Michael Fairman

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Photos: ABC and JPI

Over the last 24 hours, the General Hospital family is mourning the loss of its longest-tenured cast member, the legendary, Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine).

The actress passed away at 79-years-old after a long illness, according to reports. GH’s executive producer, Frank Valentini, broke the news via his X account.

While Leslie hadn’t been seen on-screen as Monica since the tail end of December 2023, her iconic scenes, dramatic storylines, torrid love affairs with Rick Webber and Alan Quartermaine and more, plus her incredible comedic timing, will always be remembered and revered.

Photo: JPI

Many of Leslie’s General Hospital colleagues past and present have taken to their various social media accounts with touching tributes to this one-of-a-kind talent.

Genie Francis (Laura): “So sad to lose a dear old friend, Leslie Charleson. Such a big part of my childhood. Such a funny, kind and strong woman. I will miss her.”

Wally Kurth (Ned): “Oh Lord… this is a tough one. Leslie Charleson was my castmate for 34 years. Leslie… was just cool. Never let anything bother her on the set… no drama. I don’t think I ever heard her raise her voice. But she was no push over her either. Acting is a blood sport.. but not for Leslie. Lester, as I sometimes called her, was a dear, sweet soul who for the last few years experienced physical challenges that would have made any person sour. But I never heard her complain. She was tough but vulnerable. A beautiful soul. I loved hearing Leslie laugh. She had a hearty laugh. Stuart knew exactly what to say to get her going…. Thank you Leslie for your friendship… your talent…and for sharing your soul with me and all your fans.”

Photo: JPI

Natalia Livingston (Ex-Emily): “I’m heartbroken to hear of the passing of Leslie Charleson. Leslie was the most wonderful TV mom I could have ever had. I admired and enjoyed her humor, wit, and warmth. Thank you for always making me feel so welcomed into our tv family. I’ll never forget you. May you rest in peace, dear Leslie. I love you.”

Sarah Joy Brown (ex-Carly): Rest in peace Leslie Charleson. Grateful to have had the opportunity to learn so much from her while I was starting my run on General Hospital. Watching her work with Stuart Damon, a.k.a. Alan Quartermaine, and John Ingle was a joy for me, especially when I was included in the scenes, but even when I wasn’t. The Q’s always made me laugh. Her timing was legendary. Sending my condolences to her friends, family, fans, and all of her co-workers #lesliecharleson

Sean Kanan (ex-AJ Quartermaine, now Deacon, B&B): I just learned that Leslie Charleson has passed. We played mother and son off and on for years. My deepest condolences to her family. May you rest in peace, Lester”

Kathleen Gati (ex-Liesl Obreacht): “One of the kindest and sweetest colleagues I’ve had the honor to work with. May Leslie Charleson rest in peace and know how deeply she was loved and appreciated by all. Deepest condolences to her family, friends, colleagues and fans.” She added, Loved working with Leslie Charleson especially the Krampus Christmas story but just loved her as a person too!

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God bless Leslie’s loved ones. Amen

I really hope Monica gets the send-off she deserves, like the one they wrote for Bobbie, which thought was fantastic. Hit all the right emotional beats and showcased some amazing acting talent. Would love to see flashbacks of Monica with Alan, AJ, Emily, Edward, and especially Tracy. I hope Jane Elliot, Wally Kurth and Steve Burton are front and center for it.

Monica was such a funny character due to Leslie.

I am extremely saddened by the passing of Ms. Charleson; and have always enjoyed her work on television. Ms. Charleson’s portrayal of Monica and her most major storylines on GENERAL HOSPITAL will always remain inside my soul. My sincere and most heartfelt condolences to her surviving relations, friends, loved ones, and worldwide fans, the latter a group that I have always been proudly a member of.

Leslie is a major reason why I believe that a streaming home for 70s-80s era GH would garner much support. Her legendary scenes with Stuart Damon, David Lewis, John Ingle, and most of all Jane Elliott deserve to be seen by the audiences who only know her as a “supporting character.” She glowed in everything she did, and it’s always fun to run across her in Happy Days and The Wild Wild West.

I was just a little kid, but I remember her from.Love is a Many Splendored Thing as Iris Donnelly. Gosh, she was a young actress, along with Donna Mills, who played her sister Laura and David Birney, as Mark Elliott, the man they both loved. All three left the soap and went on to become tv stars in the 70s & 80s. Leslie Charleson, you were excellent as Monica Quartermaine and you will be missed. Alright, GH do right by her and give us an episode similar and great as Jackie Zeman’s.

Beautiful sentiments from the cast. One that struck me both times for how brief and impersonal was Sean Kanan’s (AJ). I would have thought he’d have a bit more warmth to his comment; he was more expressive when Stuart Damon passed. She was obviously very well liked and loved by many she worked with. I’m still processing that we’ll never see “Monica” again.

So sorry to hear of Leslie Charleson/Monica I have been watching GH from the very beginning with my mother sending sincere sympathy to her family and her GH family.

General Hospital

GENERAL HOSPITAL: Monet is Jordan’s Younger Sister

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Monet and Jordan

At the end of the September 24 episode of General Hospital, Jordan (Tanisha Harper) had a run-in with Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard), the latest attorney to join Miller & Davis. However, when the two women laid eyes on each other it seemed from a happy moment for Jordan.

As it turns out, Monet is Jordan’s younger sister and in fact, the lawyer was quite rude to Jordan even making a comment about the scars on her sister’s face. The cliffhanger ending put an end to the speculation of just who Monet had a connection to in Port Charles as had been teased, although we have to say most viewers predicted this from the start.

Earlier in the episode, Monet paid a visit to Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) and was quite threatening and unrelenting about Tracy making sure her client, Harrison Chase (Josh Swickard), has no issue moving back into the Q’s with his daughter Phoebe and wife, Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton). That’s something Tracy doesn’t want. In the end, Tracy was taken a little off-guard by Monet’s terse demeanor.

This marks the first time over 10 1/2 years on the show, that the character of Jordan actually has a family member on the canvas, and within that span, four actresses have played Jordan: Vinessa Antoine, Briana Nicole Henry, Tiffany Daniels (a short fill-in for Henry) and Tanisha Harper.

Monet

Photo: ABC

JORDAN AND MONET HAD A SISTERLY FALLING OUT

Blythe Howard told TV Insider, about wanting the part of Monet Mitchell, “I saw it come through and I was like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this is giving Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, and I don’t get those auditions ever,’” she says. “It was just a really fun, spicy role and I couldn’t pass it up.”

The actress also gave a bit of the back-story that will fuel the sisters dysfunctional relationship,“You’ll find out that we’re estranged.” In speaking about her new Port Charles alter-ego, Howard added, “I think Monet is just here to keep everybody on their toes. I love that she’s strong and doesn’t take no for an answer. She goes after what she wants, and she’s not afraid to maybe step on some toes to get what she wants.” V

Viewers may get a clue soon that Monet knows exactly what she is doing and why. “We never know what her angle is going to be or what she’s up to,” confirms Howard. “I think she knows exactly what she’s up to, but everybody else doesn’t.”

FAMILY MATTERS

As the counterpoint, Tanisha Harper weighed-in and teased this new sisterly on-screen relationship viewers are about to see to Soap Opera Digest. Harper expressed, ‘Having Monet on the show is going to allow viewers to see another side of Jordan.”

Tanisha continued, “We had Jordan as this strong businesswoman, and then we started to see a little bit more of a vulnerable side to her when she went through the car accident, and now, having her sister come onto the landscape, I think that getting to see what their dynamic is will be interesting for the viewers and add just another layer to the show in general.”

Harper says of the ending of Thursday’s GH, “I think Jordan is in shock, and she’s a little leery, as well, about what her sister’s motives are for coming to Port Charles. Out of all the cities she could have come to, why pick this particular one, knowing that her sister lives there and they haven’t spoken in many years?” Hmmm.

So, were you glad or disappointed that Monet turned out to be Jordan’s sister? What do you think happen between the sisters that caused their estrangement for years? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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‘General Hospital’ Alum Chad Duell Lands Role in TV Pilot ‘Ghosts Are Real’

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Chad Duell

Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos, General Hospital) just wrapped filming for a TV pilot that could bring him back to your screens in the near future. The Daytime Emmy winner took to his Instagram story to reveal is part of the cast of the horror-comedy mockumentary, Ghosts Are Real.

In the spoof, Duell is seen donning a black leather jacket and gloves and dark sunglasses as smoke billows up around him. Chad wrote  “Pilot in the books, Can’t wait to share it with you all ”

Ghosts Are Reals official Instagram account, which the producers just started shared the series is about “A dysfunctional ghost-hunting crew finally finds real ghosts.
A scripted paranormal horror-comedy series.” The account also revealed that the pilot episode is now in post-production, and episode 1 or Case 001 is called “The Scooters.”

General Hospital

Photo: JPI

LEAVING GENERAL HOSPITAL AND GETTING BACK ON TV

After a 15-year-run as GH’s Sonny (Maurice Benard) and Carly’s (Laura Wright) son, Michael Corinthos, Duell made the decision to exit the show and take a break. His last episode aired in January of 2025. In May of that year, Rory Gibson debuted as the recast Michael and has been firmly-implanted into the role ever since.

In a livestream conversation last month on the Michael Fairman Channel, Chad opened about his current foray into music after releasing his first two EDM-style tracks, If You Need Me followed by Static in the Crowded Room.

Looking back on his decision to leave General Hospital when he did, Duell shared his thoughts at the time, “I’m taking some time away, we’ll see what happens. Obviously, they decided to go in a different direction with Michael when I was gone. I didn’t think they were going to bring somebody back in my place. But you know, it’s the business. You never know what can happen.”

Duell also explained he had not watched a single episode of General Hospital since he left the series, but now feels reenergized following the loss of his father and stepping away from the soap. Chad expressed, “I’m in a place now mentally, where I’m ready to sink my teeth into (acting) again.”

In case you missed it, you can check out the full conversation with Chad below.

Now let us know, do you hope Chad’s new role in the pilot for Ghosts Are Real eventually becomes a series? Would you like to see Chad back landing more TV and film roles? Let us know in the comment section.

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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Drew Spots Willow and Chase in a Close Moment; What’s Monet’s MO?

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Willow, Chase and Drew

The Wednesday, September 23 episode of General Hospital brought with it some moments to ponder for the future direction of key storylines.

First, Chase (Josh Swickard) is ramping up his custody battle with Brook Lynn (Amanda Setton), focusing on not losing his rights to baby Phoebe. Ava (Maura West) threw suspicion on Carly (Laura Wright) in a discussion with Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) to save her friend Nina (Cynthia Watros) from being considered the prime suspect in the disappearance/murder of Jack Brennan (Chris McKenna), and lucky Drew (Cameron Mathison) might have struck gold after seeing Willow and Chase looking awfully “palsy-walsy.”

The episode opened up with the introduction of the arrival of a new character to the canvas legal eagle Monet Mitchell (Blythe Howard) who had a meeting with her potential client, Chase.

Monet

Courtesy/ABC

ALL THE MONET

Monet then told Chase for this case to work in his favor, he needs to move back into the Quartermaines, if his goal is to not lose his daughter. Citing concerns over Tracy (Jane Elliot), Monet told Chase she would handle things with Tracy. Chase agreed to move forward with Monet representing him.

Later, Monet shows up at Tracy’s and the two have a terse confrontation, but is it all for show? Do they know each other, or are they going to be true adversaries, because Tracy also wants Chase out of Brook Lynn’s life? As previously teased, Monet will be revealed to have a connection into Port Charles, but who?

NOT MY MANAGER

In addition, Trina (Tabyana Ali) decided to continue her recording deal with Gio (Giovanni Mazza) under the auspices of music executive Simon (Grady Eldridge), as long as Brook Lynn is no longer a part of the project or being her manager, The decision was made after Brook Lynn came to smooth things over with Trina at her apartment. In the end, Brook Lynn was forlorn and left putting Gio in an uncomfortable position with his mother.

DREW’S MACHINATIONS

At Aurora Wellness, Drew confronted Kai (Jens Austin Astrup) about knowing that Willow was the one who’d shot him and how Kai and Trinas stole incriminating evidence against Portia (Brook Kerr) from his safe. Next thing you know, Drew offers Kai a job at Aurora! Kai is stunned and declines, but Drew say the offer is open-ended for him.

Then, Chase is seen lifting weights when Willow approaches him (both in workout clothes, yet again, or something like that). Willow sees Chase is stressed and says he needed to clear his head after meeting with a new divorce attorney. Willow grabbed Chase’s hand as the supportive “friend,” just as Drew turned the corner and witnessed the close little moment between the exes.

Check out the scenes at Aurora Wellness between Drew and his former intern, Kai below.

Now let us know, how will Drew use the closeness he sees between Chase and Willow to his advantage? Who is Monet really? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

 

 

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Jonathan Bennett joins the cast of GH as Joe Fitzpatrick. Catch the latest promo! Leave a comment.Leave A Comment

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