GENERAL HOSPITAL HEARTBREAK: LESLEY WEBBER PORTRAYER DENISE ALEXANDER DIES AT 85

The soap world is in mourning as one of daytime’s most beloved mothers takes her final bow.

Port Charles will never be the same. Denise Alexander, who captivated General Hospital audiences for decades as the unforgettable Lesley Webber, has passed away at the age of 85. The actress, whose March 5th death has sent shockwaves through the soap community, leaves behind a legacy that spans multiple decades and generations of viewers.

A SOAP JOURNEY LIKE NO OTHER

Before she became Laura’s iconic mother, Alexander got her start as a child actress, cutting her teeth in various film and television projects. But it was the soap world that would ultimately become her home.

Her daytime journey began in 1960 on “The Clear Horizon,” but most fans first fell in love with her as Susan Hunter Martin on Days of Our Lives starting in 1966. She quickly became a fan favorite in Salem—so much so that when contract negotiations hit a snag, General Hospital executives pounced on the opportunity and lured her to Port Charles in 1973.

Talk about a soap power move!

THE LEGACY OF LESLEY WEBBER

For many of us who grew up watching GH, Lesley Webber wasn’t just another character—she was part of the heart and soul of Port Charles. Her storylines over the years were pure soap gold, from romantic entanglements to family drama that kept us glued to our screens.

Remember her “death” in 1984? Devastating! And that resurrection in 1996? Classic soap opera magic that only actors of Alexander’s caliber could pull off convincingly.

Although her appearances became less frequent in recent years, her final turn as Lesley came in 2021—a remarkable 48-year connection to the role that defined much of her career.

A MOTHER’S INFLUENCE

Perhaps no one feels this loss more deeply than Genie Francis, who grew up on screen as Alexander’s daughter Laura. The pair created one of daytime’s most authentic mother-daughter relationships—a bond that clearly extended beyond the cameras.

In her heartfelt conversation with TV Insider, Francis revealed just how much Alexander shaped her as an actress: “I stole her good stuff…when I say I stole her good stuff, I’m saying I was so young, she imprinted on me. And some of my acting, some of my style of acting, was directly imprinted on me by Denise Alexander.”

Isn’t that the highest compliment one actress can pay another?

Francis also shared that Alexander was “very, very good” to her during her formative years—a testament to the woman behind the character we all loved.

THE FINAL SCENE

While our hearts break for Alexander’s loved ones, we can take comfort in knowing her incredible work will live on through decades of performances that touched millions of viewers.

From her early days in Salem to her iconic run in Port Charles, Denise Alexander wasn’t just playing roles—she was creating television history. As Lesley Webber, she gave us a character who was strong yet vulnerable, fierce yet loving—the kind of complex woman that made soap operas the cultural phenomenon they became.

As Port Charles prepares for its upcoming Nurses Ball and new drama unfolds, viewers and characters alike will no doubt feel the absence of this soap legend. But like all great soap characters, Lesley Webber’s legacy—and that of the remarkable woman who portrayed her—will never truly die.