Leslie Charleson was the longest-serving cast member on General Hospital, having joined the soap opera in August 1977. Her character, Monica Quartermaine, became beloved among fans, and Leslie earned multiple Daytime Emmy nominations for the role. However, she stopped appearing on General Hospital in December 2023 due to health issues. Many fans have wondered how Leslie is doing following her exit from the show and if there is a chance she could return someday.
Why Did Leslie Charleson Leave ‘General Hospital’?
Leslie, who is 79 years old in 2024, has “suffered several falls in recent years,” a source exclusively told Closer in October 2024. For example, in April 2018, the actress had an accident where her dog, Riley Rose, tripped her during a walk and injured Leslie’s leg.
“Unfortunately, she will need to be replaced in shows already written,” General Hospital tweeted at the time. “She sends all her love and will be back as soon as she recovers. We wish her a speedy recovery and all the best.”
Leslie returned to GH in July 2018 after recovering from her leg injury.
The insider told Closer that although Leslie is “doing her best to recover” from her 2024 medical issues, “it’s harder for her to get around at her age.”
How Is Leslie Charleson’s Health After ‘General Hospital’?
The source revealed that Leslie is “doing OK under the circumstances and in no rush to push herself.” While she hasn’t appeared on General Hospital in several months, the Emmy nominee was spotted out to lunch and having a glass of wine in Los Angeles in October 2024. She was using a walker and had a caregiver helping her during the outing.
“She’s seeing friends and staying social,” the insider said.
As for whether or not she’ll go back to General Hospital someday, the source added, “Although she’d be welcome back to the show with open arms, it’s unlikely she’ll ever return.”
Who Did Leslie Charleson Play on ‘General Hospital’?
Leslie played Dr. Monica Quartermaine, a cardiologist at the eponymous hospital, beginning on August 17, 1977. She took over the role from Patsy Rahn and ultimately became GH’s longest-running cast member. Leslie had a history of appearing on soap operas, including A Flame in the Wind, As the World Turns and Love Is a Many Splendored Thing. Fred Silverman, then-president of ABC, reportedly asked Leslie to join General Hospital because the show was at risk of cancellation and needed a boost in ratings.
Leslie was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1995 for her portrayal of Monica. However, in August 2010, it was announced that she had been demoted from series regular to a recurring role.
“I did not want you to find out on the Internet,” Leslie reportedly wrote on her Facebook at the time, according to Soaps. “Unfortunately, that did not happen and yes, it is true. I am officially off contract.”
She continued, “I have had the best relationships with you, the fans and I would’ve never had that without ‘Monica.’ There is nothing that I cherish more than the experiences and memories I have had and the special friends that I have made over the years, both on the show and off. I can’t say enough about how much you all mean to me.”
Leslie continued to appear in episodes of General Hospital until December 2023, although her scenes seemingly became less frequent as the years went on.
