Breaking News
Leslie Charleson, General Hospital’s Monica Quartermaine, Passes Away at 79
In just heartbreaking news this Sunday, longtime General Hospital star, Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine), has died at the age of 79 from complications from a long illness. Frank Valentini, the series executive producer broke the news in a statement on X.
Valentini shared, “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague. Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaine family, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew. I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set.”
The EP closed his statement with, “On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
Photo: JPI
Charleson had played the role of Monica Quartermaine for 47 years. She took over the role from Patsy Rahn in 1977. Leslie appeared on and off of GH through 2023, with her final appearance coming in December of that year. However, health issues, including several falls, prevented her from appearing on the show after that. Last October 2024, it was announced that she would unlikely ever return in the role, but with the understanding she would not be recast. This still made Leslie, GH’s longest-tenured cast member.
During her GH run, Charles was taken off contract after 30 years and dropped to recurring status in 2010, much to the chagrin of many fans at that time. Previously, Leslie was best known for her leading role of Iris Donnelly (1967-1970) on Love is a Many Splendored Thing and her on-screen sister, Laura, was played by Donna Mills (ex-Abby, Knots, ex-Madeline, GH). Leslie also appeared on two other soaps earlier in her career with roles in A Flame in the Wind and As the World Turns.
Photo: ABC
Throughout the incredible legacy of GH, Monica, as played by Charleson, was involved in one of the most torrid triangles in its history with Rick Webber (Chris Robinson) and Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon). When becoming a member of the Quartermaine family, Monica’s bickering with her sister-in-law, Tracy (Jane Elliot) and husband, Alan would become soap classics, in part due to Leslie’s comedic timing.
In one of the more dramatic stories of her GH career, Monica’s breast cancer earned Leslie one of four of her Daytime Emmy Nominations as Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series. In addition, the story that found Alan and Monica adopting their daughter, Emily (first played by Amber Tamblyn, then Natalia Livingston) provided another emotional backdrop for Charleson’s acting chops.
Photo: ABC
Leslie also appeared on the television series: Dharma & Greg, Canon, The Rockford Files, The Wild West, The Streets of San Francisco, Marcus Welby, M.D., Mannix, Ironside, and Happy Days to name just a few. Charleson also appeared in the 1973 motion picture, The Day of the Dolphin opposite Oscar winner, Shelley Winters.
Michael Fairman TV sends our condolences to Leslie’s loved ones, friends and her General Hospital family during this difficult time.
Share your remembrances and thoughts on the passing of GH’s Leslie Charleson via the comment section below. But first, check out this classic scene from Monica’s breast cancer storyline featuring Leslie and Stuart Damon, followed by one of Leslie’s last episodes of GH in scenes with Jane Elliot and Michael Easton (ex-Finn).
I have a heavy heart. I loved GH back in the day when Monica, Alan, Rick and Lesley were forefront. Ms. Charleson and Mr. Damon had great great chemistry and throw in Jane Elliot… WOW! I hope GH gives Ms. Charleson her due with a heartfelt sendoff to Monica. Daytime is family based. The actors and characters are part of our everyday lives. Time passes and sadly, we must say goodbye. God bless you, Ms. Charleson! And thank you!
You it all, and your so right, growing up as a kid I remember those characters being front and center Monica, Alan, Rick and Lesley. These 4 made GH for years and back then it was so so good, today, GH not the same left it. Bur these actors and actress were it! Love your comments all so true.
RIP to a daytime legend.
While we are not shocked at her passing, we are still incredibly saddened. Always hoped she could return but admired that Frank refused to recast Monica.
Some of my earliest GH memories were when Leslie assumed the role of Monica in 1977. She always commanded a scene – while never eating the scenery.
Together with Stuart Damon, they created what is arguably the second most enduring couple in GH history (behind the juggernaut of Luke & Laura).
I’m confident the show will give Monica the farewell she deserves. If she’s up to it, I hope they ask Denise Alexander to return to solute her rival. And someone will have to escort Monica up the stairs to the great beyond.
Thank you to Leslie for the decades of entertainment. It will always be her house.
She is such a huge part of GH, so many memorable moments. She will be missed!
Why does it always feel like you have lost one of your oldest friends when a soap star dies? Talented actress great performer. Another childhood memory fades into the mist. Godspeed Leslie Charleston.
Thank you for describing what I was feeling but couldn’t articulate. I loved my childhood, coming home from school and the TV would be on and there’d be Monica and the rest of the cast, making daytime history. May this lovely actress rest in peace and her family be comforted.
You have said so very well. Condolences to her family.
So sad to read this. I was first drawn to watching General Hospital based on Leslie Charleson’s character, Dr. Monica Quartermaine, and continued watching for decades. Rest in Peace, beautiful lady.
It’s been a sad and rough couple of years for GH with the loss of many of it’s cast and ex cast members. RIP Leslie, you will be very missed…
I’m very sad. I loved Monica. She was my now-deceased partner’s favorite character. Words can’t explain how I feel.
She was one of my favorites. I will miss her. Leslie was the best. I just saw an old episode of Emergency, and she was real young, I almost didn’t recognize her at first. She will be missed.
I loved watching her and I’m sad. RIP
RIP Ms. Leslie!!!
I am absolutely heartbroken by this news. I have loved Leslie Charleson from her Love is a Many Splendored Thing days to her episodic TV days. I was beyond thrilled when she took of the role of Monica on GH. Be it high drama, romance or comedy, her performance was always flawless. I will miss her forever. I hope she knew how very, very much long time GH viewers loved and admired her. She was the very best of the best. My deepest sympathy to her family and friends.
Thank you Ms Charleson for sharing your amazing talent with all of us. May you rest in peace.
She was a bright light who was able to go to toe with the great actors who played Edward, Lila, Alan and Traci- she stood her ground with these larger than life characters. Before there was a Diane and Sam from Cheers, there was an Alan and Monica fighting bitterly until they ended up on the floor in a passionate wrestling match. Leslie had a smile that lit up a room. She has already been missed but will be missed all the more knowing that light won’t be turned on again.
Awful news to read as I came on the site tonight. I saw Leslie’s picture as the top story on the main page, and my first thought was “Oh good, maybe Monica’s finally returning!” something that so many of us have been hoping for. But I was quickly heartbroken when I saw the headline that Leslie had passed away. Just a terrible loss, another major loss that the GH family has taken in recent years.
Another pillar from the golden history of GH has come down. Another legend and iconic character gone. A very sad day. It will be another sad day on the show when Tracy, Jason, or whomever finds that Monica has passed upstairs in her house that Alan gave to her. She wouldn’t have had it any other way.
RIP Leslie, thanks for all the wonderful performances and decades of entertainment as the legendary Dr, Monica Quartermaine! My condolences to her family, friends and colleagues.
This is just devastating. Like a number of others we’ve lost over the last decade or so (Kathryn Hays and Elizabeth Hubbard come immediately to mind), Leslie Charleson was from that era of soaps when the actors (and their characters) seemed bigger than life and basically indestructible. I know in my brain that they’re all now in that vulnerable age group, and it shouldn’t be a surprise when we get news of their passing, but somehow it is anyway, and I’m absolutely gutted. RIP, Leslie, and thank you for so many memorable moments over the years. You’ll be missed.
R.I.P. A true soap Icon. Monica was no joke back in the day. She made GH must watch TV.
For some reason I knew there’d be some news about GH today. How sad that it was the news of Ms. Charleson’s death. I longed to see her again in “the house that Alan gave her”. Just very sad and my heart goes out to her family and friends and fellow collaborators at GH. She will be missed even more than she already has been.
Monica, like Bobbie should get a decent send off. It will shake up Jason, for sure. I’m sure the hospital will honor her with maybe a park or wing named after her. Great TV family!
Today’s episode was quite pertinent with Tracy and Stella in the Quartermine kitchen over tea and smoothies, chatting about Monica. Knowing that Leslie has passed is beyond sad, though I am glad that she is no longer suffering. I didn’t watch GH in the glory days, for I was a devout ATWT and GL gal, but once they ended, and many of my favorite actors headed over to Port Charles, I followed. Leslie/Monica had a beautiful smile that lit up any room that she was in. RIP
We, as fans, were blessed to have enjoyed Ms. Charleson’s work for up to decades! And I also fondly remember Charleson’s “Pearl Drops” toothpaste commercial!
I was one of those GH fans who found the turmoil of 1977 quite unsettling and upsetting. The show recast the roles of Rick Weber (I loved original Michael Gregory in the role), Diana Taylor (I loved the original Valerie Starrett), and Monica Weber (I loved the original Patsy Rahn). I have never gotten over the firing of Starrett. I always preferred Gregory to Chris Robinson. And as much as I enjoyed Rahn, Leslie Charleson won me over! And her tenure outlasted all the others. She was a joy to watch — always! — whether it was tearjerking storylines, such as breast cancer, or the comedic camaraderie in her love/hate relationship with Alan, and through the affairs with, for example, Rick, Ned, and Damian, the character of Monica was mesmerizing. And the character remained part of the actual “hospital,” which has, from time to time, taken a backseat to other nonsense. The presence of Monica has been missed. As will be Leslie Charleson herself.
A heartfelt “thank you” and “rest in peace” to Leslie Charleson. May her memory be a blessing…
Beautiful lady and wonderful actress. So sad today, kept hoping to see you again on my TV screen. I hope you were not aware of what’s happened to GH, between the crazy writers and PTB letting it all happen. You were one of the best parts of GH and I remember you from Love is A Many Splendored Thing. RIP , you will always be missed.
I HAVE WATCHE GENERAL HOSPITAL FOR OVER FIFTY YEARS I LOVE MONICA QUARTERMAINE SHE WILL BE MISSED VERY MUCH REST IN PEACE MONICA FLY WITH THE ANGELS NOW I WILL MISS YOU SO MUCH !!!!!
I found it interesting that the episode that aired on Monday had some discussion between Tracy and Stella about Monica’s declining health and how Monica holds the Q clan together. Weird that it was the day after she passed. I really hope that GH/Frank V. do her justice and have an episode in her honor.
Congratulations are in order for three-time Emmy winner, Tom Pelphrey (ex-GL and ATWT) and his fiancée Big Bang Theory star, Kaley Cuoco! The couple welcomed their second baby daughter together on October 12, and revealed they named the little bundle of joy, Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey.
Tom and Kaley shared the news via their Instagram accounts on Wednesday with some adorable baby pics. Cuoco captioned the photo“🎀Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey🎀. 💖10/12/26💖. There are no words to describe this feeling once again. What a blessing.
Cuoco added, “We are so grateful for the crazy wild up and down journey that brought us to our little Philo! Family officially complete 😭Time to bring Matilda’s baby home! 😂💕”
Photo: KCuoco IG
BABY MAKES FOUR
Next, Kaley shared her love for the father of her children, exclaiming, “Tom Pelphrey, life exploded the minute we met, and the gifts keep coming. I love you forever , girl daddy! 💘.”
Philomena now joins big sister, Matilda mwho was born in 2023, as part of the Pelphrey/Cuoco family! Tom and Kaley began dating in 2022 and became engaged in 2024.
Daytime fans first saw the talented actor on Guiding Light as Jonathan Randall, the son of Reva Shayne (Kim Zimmer). Tom won two Daytime Emmys for his memorable performances during his run from 2004-2009.
He later played Mick Dante on As the World Turns from 2009-2010, before heading to work in primetime and motion pictures. Last month, Pelphrey one the Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his role in HBO’s Task.
TOM PELPHREY CELEBRATES EMMY WIN AND NEW DAUGHTER WITHIN A MONTH OF EACH OTHER
After winning his Emmy, the expectant dad told E! News, “We’re both so excited. Our daughter’s excited. We’ll see how it goes when it actually gets there.” Tom added, “The things that are new and the things that feel like not a big deal this time. But mom and baby are healthy, so God willing, that keeps up, and we’re thrilled,” added the actor.
Pelphrey took to his own Instagram and said on the birth of his second daughter, “Philomena Carmine Bobby Pelphrey. Another miracle. Welcome to our family youngest queen! Kaley you showed up in every way as a partner and a mom even when you weren’t feeling your best- you’re a CHAMPION. The girls and I would be lost without you. Thank God for the gift of this family and these girls.”
Jumping in to the comment thread to congratulate Tom and Kaley were Beyond the Gates star Ashley Jones (Heather), Dave Annabelle, Martha Plimpton, Alyssa Milano and many more.
Share your congrats and well-wishes to Tom, Kaley, Matilda and their new addition to the family, little Philomena via the comment section below.
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Breaking News
2026 Daytime Emmys Gold & Silver Circle Inductees: Francesca James, Patrika Darbo and Meredith Vieira Among Those Being Honored
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) announced on Thursday, October 8, the 2026 Gold & Silver Circle Inductees who will be celebrated at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30.
This year’s honor roll features industry professionals that have made contributions across daytime television, including daytime dramas, talk shows, comedy, and more.
The Gold inductees include: Meredith Vieira (former c0-host of The View, journalist and EP and CEO, Meredith Vieira Productions),Patrika Darbo (ex-Nancy, Days of our Lives and Shirley, The Bold and the Beautiful, soon to be seen reprising her role of Shirley on Y&R), three-time Daytime Emmy winner, Francesca James (ex-Kitty/Kelly, All My Children, and ex-Marcy Wade, One Life to Live, plus director and/or producer at All My Children, General Hospital, Loving, Santa Barbara et al), and finally Byron Allen (Founder, Chairman & CEO Allen Media Group).
It should be noted that Vieira made guest appearances on both All My Children and General Hospital throughout her career. On GH, she played madam Bree Flanders in 2003 and 2012. She also appeared as a wedding planner on All My Children back in 2001.
Photo: NATAS
The Silver inductees are: Stephen Brown (VP Programming and Development, Fox Television Stations) and Rubin Ervin (Announcer/Warm-Up Host for Family Feud, The Bachelor and more).The Gold and Silver Circle Society Inductees are deemed by NATAS as “exceptional professionals who have performed distinguished service within the television industry, setting standards for achievement, mentoring, leadership and professional accolades for 50 or 25 years, respectively. They represent the best and brightest in the industry.”
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS shared, “This year’s Gold & Silver honorees are recognized for their continued exceptional contributions to our television industry. We are proud to honor a class of honorees from diverse career paths across many daytime genres. Their impact is evident in programming every day, inspiring generations and enriching the lives of countless viewers.”
MORE ON THE 53RD ANNUAL DAYTIME EMMYS
NATAS previously announced that soap opera icon Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will receive the Lifetime Achievement Award during this year’s ceremonies.
The 2026 Daytime Emmys will be held at the historic Hollywood Palladium and will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
The annual 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.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be a single ceremony in 2026, produced by NATAS Productions. Adam Sharp and Lara Gates are executive producers, with Leon Knoles returning to direct for a fifth straight year. Rachel Schwartz serves as Head of Daytime, and the firm of Lutz & Carr, LLP, provides accounting services for the competition.
So, what do you think of this year’s Gold & Silver Inductees? Happy to see some of the names that will be recognized on October 30? Who in the future who has had enduring contributions to daytime television or the soap opera genre, would you like to see receive these honors in years to come? Let us know via the comment section below.
Breaking News
Robert Kelker-Kelly, ‘General Hospital,’ ‘Days of our Lives’ and ‘Another World’ Star Dies at 62
Robert Kelker-Kelly, who became prominent as a one of the leading men in soap operas back in the late 80s and 90s has died at the age of 62. TMZ first reported the news of Robert’s passing on Saturday, October 3 at his home in St. Peters, Missouri.
According to the St. Peters police report, officers responded to call at around 8:16 pm about an unconscious man who was not breathing, as paramedics and other EMS were en route. Kelker-Kelly had reportedly complained of chest pain shortly before becoming unresponsive and the circumstances appeared consistent with a medical event.
Officers and paramedics administered life-saving measures, but were unsuccessful in reviving Kelker-Kelly. The cause of his death is still unknown and under investigation.
Photo: NBC
Daytime fans first saw Robert back in 1987 when he was cast as Sam Fowler on Another World. He played the role for three year suntil 1990. Two years later, he took over the role of Bo Brady on Days of our Lives replacing Peter Reckell, who at that time decided to leave the show.
As Bo, Kelker-Kelly was major in story playing opposite the likes of: Crystal Chappell as Dr. Carly Manning, Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams and Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed. When Peter Reckell returned to his signature role in 1995, Kelker-Kelly left the show.
Next, Robert returned to his original stomping grounds at Another World but this time as race car driver, Bobby Reno who was actually Dr. Shane Roberts. His second AW stint lasted from 1996-1998.
Photo: ABC
Eventually, the actor would begin his run as the evil Stavros Cassadine on General Hospital in 2001, then make returns in 2002 and 2003. In 2013, he briefly returned as Stavros as part of the show’s 50th anniversary celebration, and made one last appearance in 2014.
Robert has also became a professional pilot full from 2003 to 2015 and had been married to former Days of our Lives star, Miriam Parrish (ex-Jamie Caldwell) from 1997-2011, but the couple divorced in 2011. Since that time, he has not remarried.
Recently, Robert was back in the news when Lisa Rinna talked about her time working with her former Days of our Lives co-star in her recently released memoir, You Better Believe I’m Gonna Talk About It.
Rinna shared on her then on-screen love interest, “Behind the scenes, we hated each other. Remember when Kathy Hilton said I was the biggest bully in Hollywood? Not true. Not even close! I have legit stories about the real bullies in this town. Robert Kelker-Kelly is one of those bullies.”
The former Billie Reed and reality star even punctuated that with, “He made my life a living hell on the set of DAYS, He was horrible to me, I’d go so far as to say verbally abusive. He was passive-aggressive, manipulative and played weird mind games.”
Besides his role in the soaps, Kelker-Kelly appeared on primetime on Touched by an Angel and Rescue 77 , and played Bo in the Days of our Lives specials Night Sins and Winter Heat in the early 90s.
Michael Fairman TV will provide further updates as they become available on the death of Robert Kelker-Kelly.
Now, share your remembrances and condolences on the loss of Robert Kelker-Kelly via the comment section below and let us know of all his daytime roles, which was your favorite.
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