Leslie Charleson, who played the role of Dr. for almost 50 years. Monica Quartermaine, who starred in the soap opera “General Hospital,” has died. She was 79.

Frank Valentini, the show’s executive producer, announced Charleson’s death in an Instagram post on Sunday, January 12.

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

“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,” Valentini continued. “I will miss our daily conversations, her quick wit and her incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my deepest condolences go out to their loved ones during this difficult time.”

While the post did not reveal a cause of death, USA Today reported that Charleson died as a result of a long illness.

Charleson was born on February 22, 1945 in Kansas City, Missouri, her IMDb bio states. She began her acting career by appearing in several popular TV shows, including “The Wild Wild West,” “Mannix,” “Adam-12,” and “Emergency!” “Ironside,” “Kung Fu,” and “Happy Days.”

Charleson landed the role of Monica Quartermaine on “General Hospital” in 1977 and appeared in more than 2,000 episodes until her final appearance in 2023.

Charleson received four Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role on the soap opera. She also reprized the role in the “General Hospital” spin-offs “Port Charles” and “General Hospital: Night Shift.”