Actress Leslie Charleson has passed away, as her colleague announced on social media while reflecting on the memorable legacy she created both on and off-screen.

Leslie Charleson, best known for her decades-long role as Monica Quartermaine on the hit ABC series “General Hospital,” died Sunday morning at 79. Variety reported that the soap opera icon succumbed to a long illness.The official Instagram account of “General Hospital” paid tribute to Charleson with a heartfelt statement from Executive Producer Frank Valentini. He described her as the “beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew,” noting that her legacy on the show spanned nearly 50 years.Valentini wrote, “I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”Television executive Nathan Varni honored charlesonsmemory on X, formerly Twitter, highlighting her talent as an actress and her warm nature. He noted her habit of welcoming everyone with a smile and open arms, leaving a lasting impression. He conlcuded, “The world will miss you, Leslie. 💔”Born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri, Charleson carved out a stories carer in the entertainment industry. While she became synonymous with her role on “General Hospital,” which she joined in 1977, she also appeared in the show’s spinoffs, including “Port Charles” (1997–2001) and “General Hospital: Night Shift” (2008).In a 2019 Digital Journal interview, Charleson reflected on her longevity in the industry, “Interest in the material is what keeps you around and relationships.” She also noted “I am the only actor on the show that doesn’t have another soap opera to talk about since I have never done another soap opera, while almost everybody else has.next page…