Stars From General Hospital You Didn't Know Died

The following article includes references to mental health struggles.

Before "ER" and "Grey's Anatomy," there was "General Hospital." The show, which has been on television since 1963, made history after being recognized by The Guiness Book of World Records as the longest running daytime soap of all time. When the show first aired in grainy black and white in the '60s, no one could have predicted that it would run into the new millennium — and then some. From the outset, "General Hospital" garnered loyal fans through its intriguing characters, notably the wealthy Quartermaine and Spencer families.

From the sometimes controversial storylines of power couple Luke and Laura Spencer to the shady dealings of the Corinthos mob family, fans can't get enough of the soap's winning formula. As the series celebrated a whopping 15,000 episodes in 2022, actor Laura Wright, who plays Carly Corinthos, described the show's enduring popularity as the result of viewers' unwavering devotion and investment in the veritable cast of characters. "It's the fans and their love for the show," Wright told Cleveland.com. "We're really here because of them and their love for the characters, the stories and, gosh, the history."

Seeing as the series has been on air for over half a century, we have lost far too many of its stars throughout the years. But the show's most notable IRL deaths are not confined to those who graced the grounds of Port Charles decades ago; many of the more recent cast members have sadly passed on. These are the stars from "General Hospital" you didn't know died.

Lindsey Pearlman played barista Margaret on "General Hospital" in 2020. Despite only appearing in a couple of episodes, she acted in some intense scenes, including getting caught up in a brutal shoot-out. In addition to the soap, she appeared in "Empire," "Chicago Justice," and even in a parody short of "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" called "Kam Kardashian."

In February 2022, she was reported missing and was found dead days later, per The Guardian. The outlet notes that Pearlman, who was 43, was survived by her husband, Vance Smith. Following her death, he wrote in a since deleted Instagram post, "She's gone. I'm broken." TMZ later confirmed that she took her own life, having struggled with depression for some time.

Pearlman's colleagues paid tribute to her on social media, highlighting her talent as well as her jovial personality. "General Hospital" exec Frank Valentini posted about the loss on X, formerly known as Twitter, praising her performance on the series. Meanwhile, Danielle Pinnock of "Young Sheldon" fame, wrote, "She was hilarious, goofy AF, stunning, and ridiculously gifted. Just talked to her two weeks ago. It feels surreal that she is gone."

Playing duplicitous Edward Quartermaine, a role previously inhabited by David Lewis, John Ingle encapsulated the avarice of the formidable "General Hospital" antagonist. The seasoned star played the Quartermaine patriarch for nearly 20 years. Having found fame later in life, he joked to the Los Angeles Times that, as an older actor, his roles usually entailed the following: "I've either married someone, buried them, fired them, judged them or lectured to them."

In February 2012, his wife of 58 years, Grace-Lynn Martin, died, per People. Seven months later, Ingle died of cancer, aged 84. Speaking with Soaps.com not long before his death, Ingle said that he was excited for his future on the series due to a new head writer taking over. "Jill [Farren Phelps, executive producer] said the other day in a meeting, 'You'll be happy because you'll all have a story.' Which is new. A lot of us haven't had a story for some time," he enthused.

Per Us Weekly, ABC paid tribute to the "General Hospital" veteran, noting that he filmed his last episode mere weeks before he died. His final episode aired just days before his passing. In a bittersweet goodbye to the star, the network wrote, "And with a simple 'I love you, too,' a thumbs up and a smile, we say goodbye to John Ingle's indelible depiction of Edward Quartermaine. His bigger than life portrayal will live on in the hearts of countless fans."

Jay Pickett initially joined the "General Hospital" cast as Lorenzo Alcazar, before being cast in a permanent role as Detective David Harper in 2007. The detective was central in investigating the feud between the Corinthos and Zacchara mob families. In addition to "General Hospital," Pickett was in a number of other projects, including on "Days of Our Lives," "Dexter," and a handful of Westerns.

While filming the movie "Treasure Valley" in 2021, Pickett died suddenly on set from a heart attack, as reported by Variety. He was 60. Following Pickett's death, "General Hospital" paid homage to him with an "In Loving Memory" segment, per USA Today. Peter Facinelli, the actor's co-star in "Catch the Bullet," mourned the loss, but added that his memory would endure forever, telling Us Weekly, "The beauty about film is his performance will live on."

An avid fan of Westerns, his colleagues said that his passing was bittersweet since he died doing what he loved best. "Yesterday I lost a good friend and the world lost a great person. Jay Pickett decided to ride off into the Heavens," wrote his "Treasure Valley" co-star, Jim Heffel. "Jay died sitting on a horse ready to rope a steer in the movie 'Treasure Valley' in Idaho. The way of a true cowboy." Shortly before his death, Pickett spoke to Idaho Statesman about his role in "Treasure Valley," explaining that the film was particularly close to his heart as he grew up in the American Northwest around cowboys.

A popular "General Hospital" star, Shell Kepler portrayed nurse Amy Vining for 23 years. Known for her wild flaxen locks and OTT makeup, Kepler perfectly embodied the gossipy nurse, not to mention '80s hairspray chic. And she was thrilled to have landed the role. "I love playing Amy!" she said in a 1982 interview (via CBC). "She's a kid and I love being a kid. She's one of the most fun characters on the show. ... And I still haven't seen anybody on daytime TV, or prime-time TV for that matter, who is similar to Amy in character."

Away from her acting work, she also launched a successful clothing line for the Home Shopping Club, which raked in a handsome $20 million in 1994 alone, per the Los Angeles Times. In 2008, TMZ reported that the actor died of kidney failure at age 49.

In the wake of her untimely death, her co-star, Jacklyn Zeman, made a moving statement, per Soap Opera Network. "In addition to her acting and designing talents Shell loved to decorate her home. It was beautiful and warm. ... No one ever left Shell's house hungry," Zeman said. "She also liked to custom make gifts for her family and friends. She had a big generous loving heart and she was a special friend to me." Kepler may have been taken too soon, but she will always be remembered by those whose hearts she touched.

Acting vet Philip Baker Hall appeared in "General Hospital" in 1983 as Judge Simpson. During his appearance, he entered the lives of the wealthy Quartermaines, officiating the wedding of Lila and Edward. His "General Hospital" stint wouldn't be the last time Hall would play a man of the law. Speaking with AV Club in 2012, he joked that he was accustomed to playing judges. "So life has its own little twists and turns," he reflected. "You never know where things are going."

Perhaps one of his most famous television roles was as Joe Bookman, the library cop, in "Seinfeld," in which he memorably lectured Jerry on the dangers of not returning library books — in the style of a 1940s film noir detective. Hall also starred in a number of indie films, including Lars von Trier's "Dogville" and Paul Thomas Anderson's "Boogie Nights" and "Magnolia," playing a shady game show host in the latter.

Sadly, Hall died in June 2022, aged 90. The New York Times reports that he suffered from complications of emphysema. His death followed those of two other "Seinfeld" stars, Estelle Harris and Liz Sheridan, who played George and Jerry's respective moms and died a week apart and two months before Hall, per the New York Post. Accordingly, the official "Seinfeld" X account paid tribute to Hall, writing, "The great Philip Baker Hall will forever be remembered by Seinfeld fans as the hard-nosed library detective, Mr. Bookman... His talent will be cherished."

Housekeeper Alice Gunderson was accustomed to dealing with the various dramas of the Quartermaine clan. As noted by Soaps in Depth, Alice's unrequited feelings for Luke Spencer was at the center of many of her storylines and Bergen Williams imbued the character with pathos. Additionally, she appeared in other medical-themed TV shows, such as "Scrubs" and "Nip/Tuck."

Williams had been living with Wilson's Disease, a rare condition (it affects 30 in 1 million) caused by a genetic mutation and leading to both physical and mental decline; the disease is usually fatal, according to a 2007 study. Following her diagnosis, she parted ways with "General Hospital" in 2014. As a result, she lost her health insurance. "Her disease made it impossible for her to speak her lines the same way as before so they made her quit," her sister, Lynda, tweeted. "I'm sad they didn't just give Big Alice Wilson's Disease on the show so she could keep acting and keep her healthcare!"

Williams died in 2021, aged 62, per Newsweek. Her death devastated her "General Hospital" co-stars. Kimberly McCullough, who played Robin Scorpio on the soap, tweeted, "Bergen was an incredible force to be reckoned with and I'm so sorry to hear of her passing." Meanwhile, Brandon Barash, aka Johnny Zacchara, hailed Williams as "a special one who imbued truly radiant energy into every room she entered."

Acting vet Susan Brown was popular among "General Hospital" fans as psychiatrist Dr. Gail Baldwin. Brown's performance as the doc saw her receive an Emmy nomination in 1979. After leaving the series in 1985, she returned in 1992 in a recurring role. As noted by Soaps in Depth, Brown made her final appearance in 2004, but the character wasn't written out of the series until 2019 when she was killed off camera.

Aside from "General Hospital," she appeared in other popular soap operas, such as "As the World Turns" and "Santa Barbara." As noted by Soaps.com, Brown also moonlighted as an interior designer. 

Sadly, Brown died in 2018, aged 86. Variety notes that she had been living with Alzheimer's Disease. Her co-star, Kin Shriner, who played Gail's son, tweeted that Brown was one of his besties both on and off screen. Nancy Lee Grahn, famed for portraying "General Hospital" character Alexis Davis, penned a sweet tribute to Brown. "Thinking about my cast mate neighbor, and gracious, classy, lovely woman, Susan Brown today," she wrote. "No one ever looked more beautiful while walking their dog 3xs every day. Sending love & respect to her family." As reported by Digital Journal, "General Hospital" aired a tribute show to the late star in which co-stars reminisced about their time working with her.

Playing Dr. Alan Quartermaine, Stuart Damon expertly embodied the troubled, sometimes homicidal doctor. In a 1981 interview with the Boston Globe (via We Love Soaps), Damon explained that while he enjoyed portraying the snooty doctor, he couldn't be any further from him in real life. "I'm nothing like Quartermaine," he said. "I've been known to show up on the set wearing running shorts, a baseball cap worn sideways, speaking with a pronounced lisp. The morning rehearsal is the time to be silly." 

In 1999, he won an Emmy for the role. During his acceptance speech, he revealed that taking home the Emmy had fulfilled his lifelong ambition of depicting a character that would remain beloved and remembered by audiences. Prior to entering the world of soap operas, Damon appeared in a number of musicals on Broadway and London's the West End in the 1950s and '60s.

In 2021, Damon died of kidney failure at the age of 84, per Variety. "He'd been struggling with renal failure for the last several years," reporter George Pennacchio wrote on Facebook. Pennacchio noted that the late actor's son, Christopher, told him that he was elated to be part of the "General Hospital" cast: "It was his favorite place to be. He loved playing Alan and was so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion." Following his death, "General Hospital" aired a tribute to Damon's life and career, per Soap Opera Network.

Peter Hansen began playing lawyer turned mayor of Port Charles Lee Baldwin in 1965 and continued with the role until 2004. In contrast to the veritable cast of scheming characters in "General Hospital," Lee was altruistic and compassionate, with a strong sense of justice. Though he is best known for his role on the long-running soap, Hansen had over 100 credits to his name, including in a number of classic films. 

With his dashing old-school looks, he shared screen time with some bonafide Hollywood legends, such as Alan Ladd in 1950 Western "Branded." Additionally, he acted in episodes of classic sitcoms such as "The Golden Girls" and "Cheers," in which he played the chairman of the corporation that owns the eponymous bar, scaring the bejesus out of skittish girl boss Rebecca Howe. Hansen also appeared in Danny DeVito's irreverent 1989 black comedy film "The War of the Roses" alongside A-listers Kathleen Turner and Michael Douglas.

Despite his onscreen glory, Hansen's life was beset by tragedy. His wife of half a century, Betty, died in 1993, per The Hollywood Reporter. Having then found love with his partner, Barbara Wenzel, Hansen sadly died in 2017, aged 95, per Variety. Following his death, the "General Hospital" account tweeted, "He will forever be a part of the #GH legacy."

Barbara Tarbuck played the benevolent Jane Jacks on "General Hospital" from 1996 until 2010. Tarbuck was a prolific actor, having appeared in dozens of TV shows; notably, she collabed with Ryan Murphy on multiple occasions, appearing in "Nip/Tuck," "Glee," and as Mother Superior Claudia in "American Horror Story: Asylum" (the latter being one of her final major roles).

Tarbuck was devoted to her craft and also loved to teach acting. "Teaching and acting and directing all feed one another in me," she wrote on her website (via Legacy). "I am as stimulated and questioned by the young people in my life as I am by new material. ... On stage, before the camera, and in the classroom are the questions, demands, disappointments, delights that feed my soul."

Tragically, Tarbuck contracted the rare disease Creutzfeldt-Jakob disorder, per the Los Angeles Times. Also known as human "mad cow disease," Creutzfeldt-Jakob leads to neurological degeneration and loss of muscle control; there is no cure or treatment available for the deadly brain disease and it's invariably fatal, according to a 2020 study. Tarbuck died in 2016, aged 74. According to Soap Hub, she was preceded in death by her husband, James Denis Connolly, who passed away in 2005. Subsequently, "General Hospital" honored her memory on Instagram. Her co-star, Ingo Rademacher, who played Jasper Jacks, wrote that he was shocked by Tarbuck's death, sharing, "She was the kindest warmest person."

Alas, far too many stars died in 2021, including many "General Hospital" alumni. John Reilly was famed for his role as the devious and devilish Sean Donely on the soap opera. Per Soaps in Depth, he was at the center of numerous memorable storylines, including his character's entanglement with terrorists (resulting in him being put on a hit list), getting caught in a mobster shootout, and being poisoned by his ex-friends. Away from the drama of Port Charles, John starred in "Dallas," "Sunset Beach," and played the father of Kelly Taylor (Jennie Garth) on "Beverly Hills, 90210."

John Reilly died in 2021, aged 86, per Variety. He was survived by his wife and three kids. Following his death, his daughter, Caitlin Reilly, who is a social media star known for her comedic videos, told CNN, "He was the greatest man alive. A true gentleman." On Instagram, she wrote, "The brightest light in the world has gone out. Imagine the best person in the world. Now imagine that person being your dad."

Per Entertainment Weekly, "General Hospital" aired a tribute to John in the wake of his death. In a statement, the show's executive producer Frank Valentini praised the late actor as an immensely talented star who helped to cement the soap's legacy with his portrayal of Sean.

Lila Quartermaine was one of the most iconic characters on "General Hospital," played by Anna Lee. A year into her role, Lee was paralyzed in a car accident and continued to act in her wheelchair, per The Spokesman-Review. Regarding her portrayal of Lila, she once told the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation's Archive of American Television. "She's the only nice person in the family. Edward is an old curmudgeon who bullies everybody ... Lila's the only one who has a calm, peaceful quality."

Born in England, Lee was dubbed "The British Bombshell" and starred in classic films such as "How Green Was My Valley" and "Whatever Happened to Baby Jane?" alongside legends Joan Crawford and Bette Davis. As noted by The Guardian, Lee moved to Hollywood during the outbreak of WWII as her husband, director Robert Stevenson, was a pacifist.

In 2003, Soap Central reported that her "General Hospital" contract had been terminated, which angered the veteran actor since she claimed that execs had promised her a lifetime contract with the soap. ABC stated that no such contract existed. Aged 90 at the time, Lee deemed the dismissal to be flagrant ageism. "They told me age had nothing to do with it," she said, per The Telegraph. "I mean come on, this is youth-obsessed Hollywood, of course age is against me." The following year, Lee died of pneumonia, aged 91, per the Los Angeles Times. Indeed, the seasoned actor predicted her longevity, telling the outlet, "I want to die with my boots on."

Gerald Anthony played Marco Dane on "General Hospital," a character that crossed over from "One Life to Live." As noted in "Soap Opera Babylon," "He was daytime's answer to Al Pacino — short, wiry, and explosive." In 1993, Anthony won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding supporting actor for his portrayal of Marco.

Regarding the unprecedented fame he experienced as a result of playing the devilishly handsome antagonist, Anthony was humorously self-deprecating. "I'd say the hair has receded a lot," he told the Chicago Tribune in 1989. "I saw some of the old pictures of myself and, man, I gotta tell you, I look different. I wanna say, `Who is that guy?' I was this hip, happening young guy. Now I'm a man." In addition to the two aforementioned soaps, Anthony appeared in "Wiseguy," "L.A. Law," and "Another World." His final role was in Spike Lee's indie dramedy "She Hate Me," released the year of his death.

Tragically, Anthony took his own life in 2004. He was 52. The actor was buried beside his father, who died two years earlier. Following Anthony's death, soap producer Frank Valentini said, "His dedication to his craft was tireless," per Soap Opera Digest. Robin Strasser, Anthony's co-star in "One Life to Live," called him "a superb human being, a great actor, so much fun to be around, so mesmerizing in his choices as an actor," per Soap Central.

Norma Connolly was famed for playing Ruby Anderson, a prostitute turned diner owner on "General Hospital." Connolly was a mainstay on the soap, having played Ruby for 20 years, per the Los Angeles Times. Away from the cameras, she was an ardent activist in raising awareness of AIDS and was on the board of Hollywood Helps; she ushered in her soap opera co-stars to lend support to the important cause via the 1992 "Soap Star Spectacular." She also spoke out against the apparent sexism of Hollywood and campaigned for women to have roles of greater gravitas in the industry.

As noted by The Washington Post, Connolly was a classically trained actor who starred in Tennessee Williams' "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Night of the Iguana," as well as "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller. She was also in Alfred Hitchcock's "The Wrong Man."

She was beloved by both her co-stars and family. Grandmother to two children, she once said, "The delight of my old age is spoiling them rotten," per Soap Central. In 1998, she died after suffering a stroke, aged 71, per Playbill. She was preceded in death by her husband, writer Howard Rodman. As highlighted by Soap Central, Ruby was peacefully killed off away from the cameras a year after Connolly's death.

If you remember Lucille Wall, you have to be an OG "GH" fan! Wall herself was an original cast member of "General Hospital," appearing on the iconic soap opera's debut episode back in 1963. The actor portrayed Lucille March Weeks, the head nurse at the series' eponymous hospital, through 1976 — her work on the show even earned her a special Emmy. Despite departing, Wall continued to make guest appearances on the soap into the early '80s. 

Prior to nabbing her well-known televised soap opera gig, Wall already had decades of success under her belt in another branch of showbiz: radio. The Chicago-born star's prolific acting work on radio shows like "Collier's Hour," "Lorenzo Jones," and "The Adventures of Barbara Wayne" even led to her being dubbed the "Love Story Girl" by listeners by the early 1930s. However, Wall was best known for voicing the titular character on "Portia Faces Life." So much so that former "GH" associate producer Kylie Masterson recalled to the Los Angeles Times of her onscreen debut, "We got hundreds of letters and calls when she first went on television. People had never seen her face but they recognized her voice from radio and wrote to ask if she had indeed been Portia."

Just a few years after her final "General Hospital" appearance, Wall died at age 88 while living in a Reno, Nevada nursing home in July 1986. She sadly left behind no survivors. 

"General Hospital" lost a fan favorite and a legacy cast member in May 2023. Jacklyn Zeman portrayed the lovable nurse Bobbie Spencer on the series for a whopping 45 years, beginning in 1977. Zeman remained with the show through 2010, before taking a short break and returning as a recurring star from 2013 until the year of her death. 

Back in 1982, she said of her best-known character (via the Los Angeles Times), "Bobbie has been a fascinating person for me to play. I get to do ... all the things that most women think about but wouldn't dare." During her time on the soap opera, Zeman nabbed four Daytime Emmy Award nominations — three for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series, and one for outstanding lead actress, though she unfortunately never took home a statue.

It was "GH" executive producer Frank Valentini broke the sad news of her death, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to write, "On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman. Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and a true professional that brought so much positive energy with her work." Soon after, Zeman's family confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that she'd passed away following a cancer diagnosis at the age of 70. She leaves behind two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey.

"General Hospital" lovers will recognize Annie Wersching. The actor — who is perhaps best known for her work as Renee Walker on "24," as well as for voicing Tess in the video game "The Last of Us" — got a big break when she joined the cast of "GH" back in 2007. That year in March, Wersching took on the role of Amelia Joffe, a woman who arrives in Port Charles to expose resident Sam McCall, played by Kelly Monaco. "We're just kind of a good match," Wersching told Soaps of acting opposite Monaco at the time. "I'm not really a 'girly girl' and she's not either." Wersching remained on the series through that September — though she was temporarily replaced by Darby Stanchfield for a spell in May — ultimately appearing in 80 episodes.

Following a 2020 cancer diagnosis, Wersching passed away in January 2023 at the age of 45. She is survived by her husband, fellow actor Stephen Full, and their three sons: Freddie, Archie, and Ozzie. In a statement shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Full said in part, "There is a cavernous hole in the soul of this family today. But she left us the tools to fill it. She found wonder in the simplest moment. She didn't require music to dance. She taught us not to wait for adventure to find you. 'Go find it. It's everywhere.' And find it we shall."

In 2014, Billy Miller joined the cast of "General Hospital" as beloved character Jason Morgan, filling the shoes of the actor who originated the role, Steve Burton. His work on the show would not only earn him a Daytime Emmy nomination for outstanding lead actor in 2018, but the star would also eventually split off into playing the character's twin, Drew Cain, once Burton returned to the show in 2017. 

Miller — who previously made a name for himself on another soap, "The Young and the Restless," with the part of Billy Abbott earning him three Daytime Emmy wins — eventually left "General Hospital" in 2019. Upon his "GH" exit, Miller stated in part to viewers via his manager's X account, "Instead of sadness, I am filled with gratitude for all your support, encouragement, and every emotion shared. I cherish the journey we have taken together. Thank you for allowing me into your home and lives."

Miller's manager would later break the tragic news of the actor's death in September 2023, revealing to Variety that he'd been dealing with manic depression prior to his passing. Patricia Miller, the late actor's mother, shed further light on his mental health struggles and cause of death. "He fought a long hard valiant battle with bipolar depression for years. He did everything he could to control the disease," her personal statement, which was shared via the manager's X account, read in part. "He loved his family, his friends and his fans but in the end the disease won the fight and he surrendered his life." Billy Miller was just 43 years old. 

If you or anyone you know needs help with mental health or is in crisis, contact the relevant resources below:

• The Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741, call the National Alliance on Mental Illness helpline at 1-800-950-NAMI (6264), or visit the National Institute of Mental Health website.
• Call or text 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.

From 1984 until 1990, actor Robyn Bernard portrayed troubled Terry Brock on "General Hospital." Prior to that, she appeared in a few TV series, including "The Facts of Life" and "Simon and Simon," but "General Hospital" was her longest-running stint on television. The sister of "Wings" star Crystal Bernard, she only worked sporadically after that, appearing in a couple of French TV series during the 1990s before her final screen role, playing a psychologist in the 2002 film "Voices from the High School."

In March 2024, Bernard was found dead in an open field in San Jacinto, California. She was 64 years old. The police report did not list a cause of death, but authorities were awaiting the results of a toxicology report. Sgt. Wenndy Brito-Gonzalez told Deadline, "Foul play was not suspected in this death."

According to Eric Ackerman, a member of the General Hospital Fan Club, he'd lost touch with her after 2014, when she was living with her father and sister. "After that, she was presumably missing, with no one knowing where exactly she was," Ackerman told the Daily Beast. Last he'd heard, she was living in a mobile home, and had stopped responding to fans. Bernard's end became even more tragic when Action Eye News LIVE reported that her mobile home had burned down a few years earlier, which had left her homeless and living on the streets of San Jacinto.

As an actor, Meg Bennett cut her teeth in the world of soap operas. Her very first screen credit, in fact, was in a 1975 episode of "Search for Tomorrow." She followed that up by portraying Julia Newman, first wife of Victor Newman (played for decades by veteran soap star Eric Braedon), on "The Young and the Restless," ultimately appearing in more than 50 episodes. She then did a 55-episode run on "Santa Barbara," and then portrayed shady schemer Allegra Montenegro in two episodes of "General Hospital." 

However, Bennett's association with "General Hospital" went far deeper than acting in a couple of episodes. She was also a writer on the show, beginning in 1993. In fact, Bennett's soap writing far outpaced her work as an actor. In addition to "GH," she'd also written for "The Young and the Restless," "Santa Barbara," "The Bold and the Beautiful," "Generations," and "Sunset Beach."

Bennett died in April of 2024, succumbing to cancer. She was 75 years old.

After making his debut in a 2007 episode of the TV drama "Army Wives," Johnny Wactor went on to appear in numerous films and TV series, with TV credits including "Siberia," "Animal Kingdom," "Criminal Minds," "NCIS," "The OA," "Westworld," and others.

Wactor became familiar to fans of "General Hospital" in 2020, when he was cast as Brando Corbin. Wactor's run on the show ended in 2022, after more than 160 episodes, when Brando became the first victim of a fatal attack by a mysterious maniac armed with a hook dipped in deadly snake venom. "I gave a little speech," Wactor told Soap Opera Digest of his exit from the show. "I knew that I would want to say something just because of my time there and my relationships with the people in the cast and crew. I was a little emotional." According to Wactor, he hadn't been expecting his character to meet his end so soon, but insisted he had no hard feelings with the producers who'd killed Brando off. "I've got no bad blood and I wish everyone at GH the best," he added.

Sadly, Wactor's life came to an abrupt and tragic end in May 2024, when he and a co-worker returned to his car and spotted three thieves attempting to make off with the catalytic converter. Reportedly, even though Wactor didn't attempt to stop them, one of the thieves shot the actor. Paramedics were called, and Wactor was rushed to the hospital; sadly, he was pronounced dead. He was just 37. 

Doug Sheehan made his television debut in a 1978 episode of "Charlie's Angels." The following year, he was cast as attorney Joe Kelly in "General Hospital." He played the character for a few years, remaining with "General Hospital" until exiting in 1982, with nearly 370 episodes of the hit soap opera under his belt.

His exit was not random. Immediately after leaving "GH," he went on to play Ben Gibson in the long-running primetime soap "Knots Landing," a role he played from 1979 until 1988. Once again, he left the show to take a new gig, this time as one of the stars of the 1988 sitcom "Day By Day," part of a cast that included future stars Julia Louis-Dreyfus and Thora Birch. Other notable roles include Mel Horowitz in the 1997 TV version of "Clueless," an eight-episode stint on bonkers daytime soap "Passions," and the recurring role of Edward Spellman, father of Melissa Joan Hart's titular spell-caster in "Sabrina the Teenage Witch." 

A 2003 episode of that show, by the way, marked Sheehan's final screen credit. An avid polo player (he was a founding member of the San Diego Polo Club), the sport became something of an all-consuming passion for him, traveling throughout the U.S. staging polo matches to raise money for various charities. During the 2000s, he showcased some of his other talents when he wrote and composed "The Lost Player's Rapunzel," a stage musical that ran for four weeks at San Diego's Lyceum Theatre. When he died at age 75 in July 2024, he was surrounded by family at his beloved ranch in Wyoming.

Launching his acting career in the late 1960s, Ron Hale went on to appear in the film classic "All the President's Men." In 1975, he was cast as Dr. Roger Coleridge on the daytime soap "Ryan's Hope," a role he continued to play, on and off, until 1989. 

In 1995, he joined "General Hospital" as Mike Corbin, estranged ne'er-do-well father of Sonny Corinthios. Hale appeared in an impressive 247 episodes of "General Hospital," and reprised the role in nearly 50 episodes of the soap's spinoff, "Port Charles." He made his final appearance on "GH" in 2010, after which the role was taken over by another actor, "Barney Miller" alum Max Gail. 

Hale's final screen credit came in 2017, playing a priest in the 2017 film "The Ghost and the Whale." He was 78 years old when he died in August 2024. "The entire 'General Hospital' Family is saddened to hear of Ron Hale's passing," read a tribute tweeted from the show's X account. "We would like to extend our condolences to his loved ones during this difficult time. He was an incredible actor and an unforgettable colleague. May he rest in peace."

Leslie Charleson was a familiar face to "General Hospital" fans for decades, first cast as Dr. Monica Quartermaine way back in 1977. Over the years, Charleson wound up portraying the character for a grand total of 2,148 episodes, right up until her death at age 79 in January 2025. Her tragic passing was deemed to be accidental, with an apparent fall resulting in a traumatic brain injury that proved fatal. 

A few months later, prior to a September episode of "General Hospital," Charleson was honored in an on-air tribute featuring a melange of clips of her character over the years. "The way that we should all remember Leslie," said Charleson's longtime co-star Finola Hughes (who plays Anna Devane), "is that she was an awful lot of fun." That episode also marked the official goodbye to Monica Quartermaine, featuring a memorial service for the character.  

In what would be her final interview, Charleson looked back at her decades on "General Hospital" by recalling a rough start, because the well-liked actor she was replacing (Patsy Rahn previously played Monica) had been "unceremoniously" fired. "And there I was, not knowing who or what a Monica was, not having a clue as to what to do with her. All [producer] Tom [Donovan] said to me was, 'You make her what you want to make her,'" she told Soap Opera Digest. "Looking back now, it was kind of wonderful because I was given free reign [sic], because nobody was really saying, 'Well, Monica wouldn't do that.' I didn't know what Monica would do or wouldn't do, so I went ahead and did what I decided she would do."

Few actors have had a longer association with General Hospital than Denise Alexander. When the veteran actor passed away in May 2025 at the age of 85, she'd played Dr. Lesley Webber for more than 1,100 episodes, during a period spanning from 1973 until 2021 (interestingly, she played an entirely different character on the show nearly a decade earlier, appearing in a couple of episodes in 1965).

Alexander's soap cred ran deep. In addition to all those years with "GH," she also appeared in 821 episodes of "Days of Our Lives," playing Susan Hunter from 1966 until 1973. In addition, she also appeared in more than 70 episodes of "Another World," and, way back in the early 1960s, was one of the series regulars on the long-forgotten daytime drama "The Clear Horizon," a soap set in the world of NASA astronauts. 

During a 1982 interview with John Gabriel, Alexander admitted that while she wouldn't necessarily make the same choices her character did, a modern woman such as Dr. Lesley Webber was not that big of a stretch for her to portray. "She's probably more like me than anybody else I have ever played," Alexander said. "I think she wants to be a career person, and to be awfully good at what she does, and to be fully involved in what she does, but she very much wants a home, and her man, and relationships within her family that are strong and active, and the involvement in social life. I think she really does want it all in that sense. And I couldn't agree more."

Chris Robinson's acting career began in the late 1950s, appearing in B-movies and various TV shows. He also co-starred with Burt Lancaster in two films, 1961's "The Young Savages" and 1962's "The Birdman of Alcatraz." A frequent guest star on television during the early 1960s, Robinson's big break came when he was cast as a WWII bomber pilot in the series "12 O'Clock High," which ran from 1965 to 1967. In 1978, Robinson was cast as Dr. Rick Webber on "General Hospital," a role he continued to play for nearly 1,050 episodes. He made his final appearance on the show in 2013.

Robinson became arguably even more famous when he appeared in a now-iconic TV commercial for Vicks Formula 44 cough syrup, uttering the classic line, "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV." (He was later replaced by another TV doctor, "The Young and the Restless" veteran Peter Bergman, after being found guilty of tax evasion; Robinson was allowed to serve his time on evenings and weekends so he could continue working on "General Hospital.")

After making his final "General Hospital" appearance in 2013, Robinson appeared in a few indie movies before making his final screen appearance in the 2022 film "Just for a Week." He died in June 2025 at the age of 86.

For longtime viewers of "General Hospital," actor Joe Marinelli will be remembered from his 14 episodes on the show, first appearing as gangster Joseph Sorel in 1999 and then returning in 2001 to stir up trouble for Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Bernard). "GH," however, was certainly not Marinelli's only experience in the world of soaps; he also played cross-dressing mobster Bunny Tagliatti in "Santa Barbara," and had previously appeared in "Guiding Light."

A veteran character actor, Marinelli guest-starred in numerous TV series, ranging from hit dramas such as "Hill Street Blues" and "ER" to sitcoms including "The King of Queens" and "Switched at Birth." Meanwhile, his big screen credits included the 2004 Oscar winner "Sideways." More recently, he appeared in the 2022 TV series "The Offer," and had the recurring role of network board director Donny Spagnoli on "The Morning Show."

Marinelli died from stomach cancer in June 2025, at the age of 68. "I really loved him and what he stood for," said his co-star on "The Morning Show," Mark Duplass, in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter. "We didn't spend 10,000 hours together, but we were spiritually aligned in many ways."

What was meant to be a one-day acting gig for Tristan Rogers became the role for which he became most associated: Robert Scorpio, the suave secret agent he portrayed on "General Hospital," on and off, for 45 years. Rogers had been undergoing treatment for lung cancer when he died in August 2025, with his longtime manager, Meryl Soodak, breaking the sad news to Los Angeles-based ABC7 Eyewitness News. "He loved being Scorpio, and he created that role from nothing," Soodak said. "He was supposed to work a day, and he ended up making it into something huge."

That was true. Rogers, who'd recently arrived in L.A. from his native Australia, was hired for a single day on "General Hospital" in 1980, but there was something about him that producers found intriguing. A snap decision was made to place the actor — whose character hadn't even been named — in various scenes, instructing him to act suspiciously until they could come up with a character for him to play. 

The character quickly became a fan favorite. Rogers remained with the show for more than a decade, until Scorpio was killed off in 1992. However, like any soap character worth their salt, he wound up returning from the dead, and reprised the role at various points after that. In fact, Scorpio's final appearance on "General Hospital" took place just a few weeks before his tragic death at age 79.

A veteran screen actor, Pat Crowley passed away in September 2025 at the age of 91. Among her 130 screen roles was a single 1997 episode of "General Hospital," in the role of Mary Scanlon. A retired General Hospital nurse, Mary ran the Recovery Room, a favored watering hole in Port Charles. That episode of "GH," however, was a crucial one, in that it set up the "General Hospital" spinoff series "Port Charles," with Crowley portraying the character throughout the series' 1997-2001 run.

Crowley first began appearing on television in the early 1950s, acting in a variety of different series. Her first starring role in a series came about in 1965, when she was cast as suburban homemaker Joan Nash in the family sitcom "Please Don't Eat the Daisies."  

Crowley also starred opposite Jerry Lewis and Dean Martin in not one but two of the comedy duo's movies: 1953's "Money From Home" and 1956's "Hollywood or Bust." After Martin and Lewis split up, she remained a favorite of Martin, who frequently invited her as a guest on his TV variety shows. In addition to guest-starring in dozens of TV shows from the 1960s until her retirement in 2012, other notable roles for Crowley included Emily Fallmont on the primetime soap "Dynasty," and Rebecca Whitmore on "Generations."

After fans bid farewell to June Lockhart when she died at the age of 100 in October 2025, she was remembered for a career that went back to 1938, when she made her debut as a child actor. Lockhart appeared in 46 episodes of "General Hospital," beginning in 1984 and continuing until 1998, portraying Mariah Ramirez, grandmother of Felicia Scorpio (Kristina Wagner). Lockhart returned to reprise the role in a single episode in 1994, with the character dying offscreen nearly a decade later.

That said, "General Hospital" was merely one of Lockhart's more than 170 screen credits, which included such classic films as "Sergeant York" and "Meet Me in St. Louis." Her greatest success, however, came in television, and she was arguably among the most iconic TV moms of the 1960s, playing Ruth Martin in "Lassie" from 1958 to 1964," and then planet-hopping Maureen Robinson on "Lost in Space" from 1965 until 1967. Other memorable roles included Dr. Janet Craig on "Petticoat Junction" and Celia Martin on "Beverly Hills, 90210." Fittingly, Lockhart's final screen role occurred in the 2021 Netflix reboot of "Lost in Space," providing the voice of Alpha Control.

If there's a single actor whose legacy looms large in "General Hospital," it's Anthony Geary. After being cast as Luke Spencer back in 1978, Geary appeared in a jaw-dropping 1,997 episodes of the beloved soap. His character's romance with Laura Webber (Genie Francis) became a pop-culture phenomenon, which became evident when the 1981 episode in which the characters tied the knot was watched by a record-breaking 30 million viewers. Geary exited "GH" in 1984, but returned in 1992. He retired in 2015, but he made one final appearance as Luke in 2017.

Geary was 78 years old when he died in December 2025, due to complications from a medical procedure he'd undergone a few days earlier. "He was a powerhouse as an actor," Francis wrote via Facebook, paying tribute to her longtime co-star and on-camera spouse. "Shoulder to shoulder with the greats. No star burned brighter than Tony Geary. He was one of a kind."

While there's no denying Luke was Geary's signature role, the actor grew to have a love-hate relationship with the character that made him a household name. "It was once very difficult for me realize that more than likely my obituary in the paper will read, 'Luke of Luke and Laura fame died today.' It was very upsetting when I came to that realization," Geary once told Entertainment Weekly. "It's not my favorite time of my life and I don't think it represents me as a person or an actor," he said of his time on "General Hospital." "It's kind of like whenever you are introduced, they haul out a high school graduation picture. It can be irritating."