Leslie Charleson as Monica Quartermaine (Image via Youtube / General Hospital)

Who was Leslie Charleson’s husband? Late General Hospital star’s family life, career, and more explored

Modified Jan 13, 2025 08:33 GMT

Leslie Charleson, who was known to play Monica Quartermaine on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, passed away on January 12, 2025, at the age of 79. She assumed the role of Monica from 1977 to 2023, as a cardiologist, struggling with personal and work challenges. Charleson’s work earned her a lasting legacy in daytime television.

Monica Quartermaine’s journey on General Hospital was marked by dramatic storylines, including a tumultuous marriage to Alan Quartermaine, numerous affairs, and her fight against breast cancer. Leslie Charleson’s role as Monica got her four Daytime Emmy Award nominations.

Leslie Charleson married Bill Demms in 1988, but their marriage was short-lived, ending in divorce in 1991. Demms is a businessman, who graduated from the University of Connecticut and is president of the gift company, Basketfulls and More.

The couple got married in Rowayton, Connecticut. Even though she faced difficulties in her relationships, Charleson stayed focused on her acting, building a career that spanned over six decades.

A look back at General Hospital star Leslie Charleson’s personal and professional journey

Leslie Charleson was born on February 22, 1945, in Kansas City, Missouri. She grew up in a family where her sister, Kate Charleson, was also an actress. She began her career in the mid-1960s, quickly making a name for herself in the soap opera world.

In 1964, she played a role in A Flame in the Wind, a daytime drama on ABC. The next year, she appeared on As the World Turns, one of the most popular soap operas of its time.

From 1967 to 1970, her role in Love Is a Many Splendored Thing was a major turning point in her career. She played Iris Donnelly Garrison and was part of a famous love triangle with David Birney and Donna Mills.

Besides her soap opera work, Leslie also appeared in other popular TV shows like The Wild Wild West, Ironside, Marcus Welby, M.D., and The Rockford Files.

Leslie Charleson’s breakthrough moment arrived in 1977 when she joined General Hospital as Monica Quartermaine. This role became her most famous one and the foundation of her acting career.

Monica was a cardiologist who dealt with many challenges, including family problems and hospital conflicts.

Fans loved her performance, and it earned her four Daytime Emmy Award nominations. She became one of the most well-known soap opera actresses and the longest-running cast member on General Hospital.

Leslie faced struggles in her personal life including her broken marriage with Bill Demms and health issues. Later years of her life included several falls that made it harder for her to move around.

While these physical problems slowed her down, they didn’t break her spirit. Leslie stayed dedicated to her work and the close relationships she built through General Hospital.

She kept appearing on the show, even after her role was reduced to a recurring character in 2010, marking her last appearance as Monica in December 2023.

On January 12, 2025, executive producer Frank Valentini declared the demise of the actress on the show’s official Instagram handle. Charleson died on the same day, at 79 years old.

Even though the reason for the death hasn’t been confirmed by the time of this writing, Variety reported that a recent fall led Charleson to the hospital nearly a week before her demise.

Fans of General Hospital can watch the new episodes of the show on ABC and Hulu.