Leslie Charleson may retire soon from General Hospital
An announcement might be made in August on her 45th anniversary of the show.
Leslie Charleson has had a rough few years
General Hospital fans have wondered where Leslie Charleson is and if and when she will return to her beloved character. On Tuesday, March 15, 2022, it was reported that the then-77-year-old soap vet was unavailable for taping, and actress Holly Kaplan portrayed Monica Quartermaine for one episode. Since then, Charleson has yet to return, and her character has only been mentioned once or twice.
Soap Opera Digest announced that Kaplan was only hired for that one episode and that Charleson would soon return to General Hospital, but she did not. This raised suspicion for some viewers that the actress could not return to her role because of health issues.
The soap vet tripped over her dog a few years back and injured her foot, and Patty McCormick, a famous child star, took over as Monica. When Charleson returned, she had difficulty getting around and used a cane. She also began holding onto furniture and limping, but she was a trooper and continued as the head of the Q clan. Later, she fell over a pet turtle and injured her arm.
Leslie Charleson retirement rumors
In April 2022, The National Enquirer reported that Charleson was planning to retire after 45 years of playing Monica. The tabloid suggested that she would announce on or around August 16 (her anniversary date with the ABC soap) that she was retiring.
General Hospital has moved on with the storylines and occasionally mentions Monica. This past week, as (Violet Finn) Jophielle Love was exiting, she told Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot) that Monica owns the house because Alan (Quartermaine-Stuart Damon) gave it to her. Many fans would love to hear Charlseon utter those words again.
Monica may never be seen again
The last time Charleson was on General Hospital was in 2023, and she was in a wheelchair. Fans said she appeared to have had a stroke. Nothing has been said about her condition by the GH execs or the actress herself. Now, after two years it's being reported that Charleson was recently seen.
A trusted unnamed source revealed to Closer Weekly that she allegedly was out eating lunch and using a walker. The source said she looked good, was taking her time to heal and the actress probably will not return to General Hospital.
Devoted GH fans deserve answers
This is not the news devoted fans want to hear, but at 79, the actress has the right to call it quits. What is most upsetting to GH viewers is that Leslie Charleson has not addressed her legions of followers during the past two years.
Fans wanted to congratulate her on 45 years, and some did make posts but they were not acknowledged. Charleson has not given any type of statement, and viewers have believed the silence indicated and the character not being recast meant she might return.
Why the secrecy for two years?
General Hospital executives had no problem firing Stuart Damon, Kelly Monaco, and others so there must be a reason Leslie Charleson has not officially been dismissed or announced her retirement. In 2022, some online websites used articles from 2011 to falsely claim they had spoken to the soap vet for her 45th anniversary.
For this reason, the announcement that the actress is not coming back should be taken with a grain of salt. Hopefully, someone representing the actress or General Hospital will give the fans an accurate update. Whether the actress is taking her time before she returns to life in Port Charles or she has decided her season is over the viewers should be told.
About the Creator
Cheryl E Preston
Cheryl enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.
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