Leslie Charleson.Photo:Todd Wawrychuk/ABC via Getty
Todd Wawrychuk/ABC via Getty
Leslie Charleson’s cause of death has been revealed.
The online records indicate the actress — who starred as Monica Quartermaine on the soap opera — also was diagnosed with asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation, and normal pressure hydrocephalus, which Alzheimer’s Association defines as “a brain disorder in which excess cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) accumulates in the brain’s ventricles.”
Leslie Charleson on ‘General Hospital’.Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty
Scott Kirkland/ABC via Getty
TMZ, which obtained Charleson’s death certificate, was first to report the news.
Charleson’s cause of death comes one month after the four-time Daytime Emmy nominee died at age 79 on Jan. 12. At the time,General Hospital’s executive producer Frank Valentini announced her death on the show’s officialInstagram.
“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson,” he shared. “Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years onGeneral Hospitalalone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, 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,” he continued. “On behalf of everyone atGeneral Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”
In 1977, Charleson joinedGeneral Hospitalas the series’ ratings were floundering, replacing Patsy Rahn, who had debuted as Monica Bard Webber (later Monica Quartermaine) a year earlier. Monica, a doctor, filled the bad-girl archetype on the show, and Charleson loved playing her.
“She’s interesting, dedicated in all areas,” Charleson toldSoap Opera Digestin 1981. “Her dedication in her social life can be a bit over the top, but it’s true. When she loves, it’s passionately. She puts her effort into it, sometimes at the expense of others.”
At the time, the actress was happy with her character’s growth. “I’m delighted with the progress she’s made, her sense of humor,” she said. “As an actress I enjoy Monica because she can wear any hat, go any place, do any thing.” Of her character’s reputation, she added, “When you’re all good, you’re boring. And nobody is just ‘good,’ unless she’s a saint.”
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Beginning in 2010, Charleson began to appear onGeneral Hospitalon a recurring status and made less frequent appearances in the last years of her life.
Looking back at herGHtenure, she toldSoap Opera Digestin 2001, “I really do love this job. Look at it this way — what better job can you do than get up in the morning, roll out of bed, throw something on and then have someone take care of how you look and how you dress and what you say? How much more grateful could you possibly be? Not bad, not bad at all.”
source: people.com
