Wally Kurth (Ned Ashton Quartermaine, General Hospital; Justin Kiriakis, Days of our Lives) has paid tribute to his late, much-loved costar, Leslie Charleson (Monica Quartermaine).

Wally Kurth Remembers Leslie Charleson

Kurth wrote (in part) on Instagram: “Leslie Charleson was my castmate for 34 years. Leslie… was just cool. Never let anything bother her on the set… no drama. I don’t think I ever heard her raise her voice. But she was no push over her either. Acting is a blood sport.. but not for Leslie.

“Lester, as I sometimes called her, was a dear, sweet soul who for the last few years experienced physical challenges that would have made any person sour. But I never heard her complain. She was tough but vulnerable. A beautiful soul. I loved hearing Leslie laugh. She had a hearty laugh. Stuart knew exactly what to say to get her going…. Thank you Leslie for your friendship… your talent…and for sharing your soul with me and all your fans.”

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Leslie Charleson, a legendary daytime dial hopper and General Hospital‘s longest-tenured actor, passed away on Sunday from complications of a long illness. She was 79.