Leslie Charleson tragically died aged 79 in January, and her cause of death has now been revealed.
Best known for her portrayal of Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, Charleson played the role for nearly five decades, making her the longest-tenured cast member on the iconic ABC soap opera.
The news of her passing was confirmed by General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini, who shared a heartfelt statement on the show's official Instagram account.
"It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson," he wrote. "Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone 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. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time."
Charleson joined General Hospital in 1977, appearing in more than 2,000 episodes. She also reprised her role as Monica Quartermaine in the spin-offs General Hospital: Night Shift and Port Charles.
Before her legendary tenure on the soap opera, Charleson began her acting career in the 1960s, with early roles in A Flame in the Wind and As the World Turns.
She later starred in Love Is a Many Splendored Thing, appearing in over 1,400 episodes.
Her work in daytime television helped her gain recognition in Hollywood, leading to guest roles in other popular series, including Happy Days, where she played Mrs. Dorothy Kimber.
Charleson also made a cameo appearance as herself on Friends and had a minor role in The Return of the Muskrats.
Her cause of death was listed as "sequelae of blunt head trauma," meaning complications from a previous head injury, documents obtained by TMZ confirm.
While the exact timing of the injury remains unclear, Charleson had suffered multiple falls in recent years, which ultimately led to her stepping away from her acting career.
The Los Angeles County Medical Examiner also noted that Charleson had a history of asthma, arthritis, atrial fibrillation, and normal pressure hydrocephalus - a condition that causes cerebrospinal fluid to build up in the brain, according to the report.
Our thoughts are with Charleson's fans and loved ones at this difficult time.
