General Hospital
GH’s Jane Elliot Opens Up on the Loss of Leslie Charleson as Tracy Mourns Monica Quartermaine, “Losing Her Was Like Losing an Arm”
On tomorrow’s Thursday, September 25 and Friday, September 26 episode of General Hospital, Port Charles, the Quartermaine family, and the viewers will say goodbye to the longest-running tenured character and actress on the ABC soap, when the funeral for Monica Quartermaine gets underway. As previewed, it will be filled with hankie-inducing moments, so prepare yourself to have a good cry.
The memorial service for Dr. Monica Quartermaine also serves as the vehicle to pay tribute to the unforgettable Leslie Charleson, who sadly passed away earlier this year in January. Charleson became the second actress to play the role of Monica and made her debut on GH back in 1977. In recent years, her failing health precluded her from appearing on the show, but the GH writers kept the character alive off-screen and upstairs at the Q mansion.
That all changed, when the soap opera decided to craft a proper goodbye and use Monica’s passing as a way to kick-off another major storyline – Erika Slezak’s arrival on Friday! Now, the elusive Jane Elliot, who over the past week has once again illustrated why she has no peer on the current daytime canvas, spoke with Variety about her close bond with Leslie Charleson over decades, and what the loss of her long-running scene-partner and former Quartermaine sister-in-law Monica Quartermaine has meant for her.
Courtesy/ABC
As Tracy, Elliot’s character was one of the last ties to Monica, other than her two adoptive sons, Jason (Steve Burton) and Drew (Cameron Mathison). Jane shared on how this storyline had dredged up the same feelings as she went through when her pal Leslie Charleson passed.
“Leslie left two voids in my life,” Elliot shared. “She left a void as an acting partner and a friend. Leslie and I knew each other for 60 years.” Jane added, “She was an integral part of my life. It’s hard enough to mourn somebody’s death once, but then to do it again. One was obviously the person, and the other was the character, but at a certain point they blended. You know, Monica was Leslie, and Leslie was Monica. I had shared experience with Monica, and I had shared experience with Leslie, so she left me twice.”
Photo: JPI
General Hospital fans know that Monica was the love of Tracy’s late brother, Alan Quartermaine, played by the late Stuart Damon. Often Monica and Alan would cheat on each other, but often found their way back to one another. Tracy had always thought her brother married beneath him when he married Monica, who was a successful surgeon at GH. However things eventually changed.
Jane explained. “Tracy had evolved over the years and was a more substantive human being and had gone through the heartbreak of losing Luke twice, and she developed a fuller personality. Because of that, she could see Monica’s weight and respected her for it.”
Photo: ABC
Now as Monica’s funeral approaches, the family is concerned if Tracy can make it through it and show up for it! “It’s a huge loss for her (Tracy),” shares Elliot. “All of her contemporaries are gone. Her mother, her father, her brother, Luke, Gregory, I mean, Monica was it. They were the last two standing hand in hand, side by side. So losing her was like losing an arm.”
What do you think about the comments made by Jane on her longtime beloved co-star Leslie Charleson and how Tracy feels about losing Monica? Are you ready to pay tribute to Leslie Charleson and say goodbye to Dr. Monica Quartermaine? Share your thoughts in the comment section.
To me, she is the heart and soul of the show. Lila and Edward would be proud.
“They were the last two standing hand in hand, side by side.” Very well said Jane Elliot. I know exactly what she means. I was a regular GH viewer from day one until 2005 and enjoyed all the antics of the Quartermaine family. Plus, I followed Leslie Charleson from her time on Love is a Many Splendored Thing and her episodic TV career. Thursday and Friday are going to be rough days.
Side note…Interested to know (not sure if you’d revealed) what made you stop watching in 2005? Was it the mob focus or something else?
I also took a break for part of that decade but would come back for the bigger events.
Steve, I humbly insert myself into this conversation only to add that my faithful daily GH viewing is similar to that of Llanviewer717 (mine, 1969-2005). For me, it was definitely the unrelenting focus on Sonny and the mob storyline, which continues to this day, that led to my decision to give it up. Over the years, I have returned only for special episodes or briefly for a return of a beloved character (e.g., Laura). I will be watching the sendoff for Monica (Leslie Charleson).
James – I always appreciate your insights.
I started around 1977 through a good part of the 90s. I was sporadic through the aughts. Came back after JFP and Guza were let go. Left for a bit after Ron killed AJ for the last time. Was going to depart again towards the end of Ron’s period but then they announced his departure, so I stuck it out.
Hoping these episodes (and Slezak’s guest stint) bring back viewers for a good storyline.
Thank you, Steve. Nice to hear about your (as well as Llanviewer717’s) viewing habits — and likewise, your observations. Slezak’s appearances will no doubt be valued. As we all cherish our favorite Monica moments and other beloved storylines and characters…
That is exactly why I stopped watching. I was sick of Mob Hospital. After One Life to Live was cancelled, I’d drop in when Llanview citizens like Nora Buchanan or Blair Cramer made guest appearances. I did not watch regularly when Todd and Starr and John became Port Charles residents. All I remember from that era was when TPTB killed Cole and Hope.
Kudos to Variety for getting the notoriously press-shy Elliot to reveal so much. Wow, did anyone really know that she and LC were so close? You have to feel for Jane when she stated it feels like she’s mourning Leslie all over again.
So glad the TV academy is giving Jane her flowers. Look forward to the acceptance speech of one of the best daytime performers of all time.
Well said.
I love Jane Elliot as Tracy. Legacy character/vet. I couldn’t have been happier GH-wise when we learned that she was on for the long haul. But I always fear, now that all her sparring Q family are gone, that Jane might be tempted to leave again. GH really messed up when they gave Gregory such a horrible disease. He and Tracy were so great together; like Edward and Lila in reverse. He would’ve have added so much to the Q home if the two had married. As for the last standing…it’s Tracy, NED, and Jason. I truly can’t believe how rarely Wally Kurth is on the show. With Tracy, Ned, and Jason, all living in the same house, I was hoping they’d bring back Dillon, and Lois would still be around and the Qvhouse might come alive again. Instead, Jason’s barely in the house and “Ned,” as said, is very rarely on the show. .
Wasted opportunity when they could have revitalized the remaining characters in family scenes. If they could bring Britt back, I’d throw out my disbelief and would love them to bring AJ back again (Carlivati should have never killed him off for such petty behind the-scenes bull). Seeing that Q house with Tracy, Ned, Jason, AJ, Dillon….and Yuri should be on; he’s so fun as security…then bring another female peer for Tracy to snark with. I was hoping that’s the role Erika would have filled if she was staying on…that she’d inherit the house; live in the house with her newfound family. And come on… more Ned!
General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.
Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.
The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.
Photo: Hallmark
Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”
In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.
It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.
Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.
You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.
So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.
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General Hospital
‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?
On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.
As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.
Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?
Courtesy/ABC
Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.
BROTHERLY LOVE?
Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”
With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”
BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE
Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”
So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.
General Hospital
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
After the Wednesday, April 29 episode of General Hospital, it’s clear outside interference and other circumstances are set to blow Chase (Josh Swickard) and Brook Lynn’s (Amanda Setton) marriage sky high, as Michael (Rory Gibson) reveals his plans to entrap Willow (Katelyn MacMullen) and use her relationship with Chase to do it!
In story, Michael dropped by unexpectedly to Carly’s (Laura Wright). A plotting Michael reveals his plan to nudge Willow and Chase into having an affair. Michael hopes it would create both a political and personal scandal, where Willow would lose her seat in congress. In the scenario, she would be having an affair with her ex-husband, while taking care of her supposed disabled husband, Drew (Cameron Mathison), who cannot speak and is confined to a wheelchair, which in turn will look horrible for Willow’s character.
Carly asked does he really want to destroy his cousin, Brook Lynn’s life in the process? Michael goes in on Chase’s holier than thou attitude, and says he is going to set-up the circumstances that would lead Chase and Willow to betray their spouses, and hit the sheets together. Michael swears to Carly what the two of them do is up to them, but he’s going to go on the offense with this.
MICHAEL HAS BACK-UP
Later, Jacinda (Paige Herschell) is talking with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) at Crimson and how much she dislikes Willow because of what she has done to Michael. Just then, Michael shows up and tells Jacinda privately, he’s figured out a way to fight Willow. Looks like Jacinda might work with Michael to bring down Willow and use Chase as the person to do it!
At the hospital, Lucas (Van Hansis) tells Josslyn (Eden McCoy) that Carly is cheating on Jack, but he doesn’t know with who. Josslyn suddenly flashes back to the moment she found her mother harboring a fugitive, Valentin Cassadine (James Patrick Stuart), in her attic, and as figured out that her mother is sleeping with him. She heads out.
Courtesy/ABC
BRENNAN IS ABOUT TO LEARN ABOUT CARLY
Next thing you know, Josslyn has showed up inside Jack’s (Chris McKenna) hotel room at the Metro Court and when he enters his room, he is shocked to find her there. He lays into her for not keeping his distance and that Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) will have no problem killing her if he knows she’s WSB. Josslyn fires back that he is only concerned about that because his relationship with her mother depends on her being safe. But then, she lays the boom, and tells Jack, Well, you’re too late. You already lost her.”
LULU GETS A GLIMPSE OF CASSIUS’ TEMPER
In addition, Lulu (Alexa Havins) sees a different side of “Nathan.” Since she is unaware that the man before her is his twin, Cassius Fasion (Ryan Paevey), he tells her that Rocco (Finn Carr) blabbed that he shot Cullum to Britt (Kelly Thiebaud), and now he thinks they should send him away to stop him from talking to everyone else. This concerns Lulu, who rails at Nathan for telling her what to do with her son and that she isn’t going to abandon him. With “Nathan’s” outburst at her on the matter, will she finally get a clue this is not the man she thinks it is?
So, what do you think of Michael’s plan to push Willow and Chase into an affair? Will it work or backfire? Do you think Joss will reveal that Valentin is the man sleeping with Carly to Brennan, which will send him in a rage? Will Lulu continue to be clueless about “Nathan?” Weigh-in via the comment section below. But first, take a look at the GH video tease for today’s April 30 episode.
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‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
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THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Has Dylan’s Mystery Caller/Stalker Been Revealed to Be an Alive Luna Nozawa?
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WWE Hall of Famer Trish Stratus Talks Humble Beginnings, Test and Albert, WrestleMania 22 with Mickie James, Current Women’s Roster (Exclusive)
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Michael Reveals His Plan to Set Up Chase and Willow to Have an Affair
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