Leslie Charleson, the actress best known for her role as Monica Quartermaine on “General Hospital,” has died at age 79.

General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini announced Charleson’s death on the show’s official Instagram page on Sunday.

“It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague Leslie Charleson,” he began.

“Her enduring legacy spans 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 conversations, her quick wit and her incredible presence on set.”

Charleson debuted in the role in 1977, making her the longest-running actress in the series. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy four times.

“I only signed for two years and I don’t know what happened,” Charleson told Digital Journal in 2019 about her long tenure. “I like her courage, her independence and everything about her. There weren’t many good female roles that had that back then. It was a fantastic time and powerful material for action.”

Mark Heim is a reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter @Mark_Heim. He can be heard daily from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5 FM in Mobile or on the free Sound of Mobile app.