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!
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).
Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
General Hospital fans took to social media following the airing of the Wednesday, October 21 episode of the ABC daytime drama series. In story, Molly (Kristen Vaganos) reveals to Alexis (Nancy Lee Grahn) that she has received an offer to join the top law firm in Chicago that practices civil law. She says it’s her dream job.
The problem Molly says is relocating from Port Charles and uprooting her life and being away from her mother, Scout and boyfriend Cody Bell (Josh Kelly). Wistful that she may lose another daughter to a long-distance situation (Kristina left a few months back to go to medical school in California), Alexis urged Molly to get Cody to go with her.
Molly still seemed concerned and has trouble committing to the idea. Alexis tells her to talk it over with Cody. Meanwhile, Cody asked Tracy (Jane Elliot) is he can have Thanksgiving off because he and Molly planned to spend Thanksgiving together with their families. After initially balking, Tracy agrees.
Courtesy/ABC
WILL MOLLY AND CODY HEAD TO CHI-TOWN?
Later, Cody shows up at Miller & Davis and the conversation turned to Thanksgiving dinner that Alexis is hosting. Molly and Cody asked her not to cook anything. Cody hugged Molly reassuring Alexis that he and Molly would take care of whatever was needed on Turkey Day.
So, this raises the question, why out of nowhere are we learning that Molly received an amazing law offer in Chicago, if the character was not being written out? If Molly leaves the canvas, would the character of Cody make his exit too?
Kristen Vaganos joined GH as a recast Molly Lansing-Davis back in September of 2023 and went on contract in August of 2024. Josh Kelly began playing Cody Bell back in June of 2022. Initial reports were that Kelly joined the show on contract and then as of June 2025 went on recurring status with the show per his choice.
Do you see a world where GH is writing out Molly and Cody? Would you be sad to see Kristen and Josh exit the soap opera? If this is not what is going on, is this just a plot point for some other story that is upcoming? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.
It’s been over two-years since his last appearance on General Hospital, now fan favorite Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) has taken to social media to share his thoughts on the casting of his grown-up TV daughter, Serena Baldwin now played by Kelly Kruger.
Kelly took over the role of Serena on-screen starting with the July 30, 2026 episode and has been ensconced in the storyline with her mother, Lucy Coe (Lynn Herring), in trying to win back full creative control of Deception for her.
In fact on the Monday, October 19 episode of the ABC soap opera, Serena tried to dupe Jason Morgan (Steve Burton) into signing over Michael’s (Rory Gibson) shares of the company. Jason caught on and wondered why she was doing this. She claimed she just wanted to help her mom gain creative control from Tracy (Jane Elliot) rather than full ownership, and begged Jason to keep quiet about it, which he agreed to for now.
Courtesy/ABC
WHERE IS SCOTT?
On Monday, Shriner also took to X and said, “I think Kelly Kruger is doing a great job on General Hospital, and she and Lynn Herring work well together.” That was followed by comments in his thread about the show needing to bring back Scott too.
In fact, back on August 25, Shriner also took to X with a reminder that Scott is still around and ready to come back to Port Charles, sharing, “Scotty Baldwin always fits in he just needs the right sport coat !!!!”
The last time Serena mentioned her father Scott was when Kruger made her debut and informed Lucy that her father was, “living his best life in Key West.” Meanwhile, Shriner posts on his X account continually and shared back on August 2, that it has been 49 years since he made his on-screen debut as then teenaged, Scotty Baldwin and thanked the fans for al the love and support.
So, now let us know, are you enjoying Kelly Kruger as Serena Baldwin? Do you want to see GH bring back Scott Baldwin into the story, so Serena has both her parents in Port Charles? Do you like the potential of Jason and Serena pairing? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
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