Remembering Denise Alexander: The legacy of a General Hospital Icon

Denise Alexander

, who became a television legend for playing the role of

Dr. Lesley Webber

on ABC's

General Hospital

for nearly four decades, died aged 85. Alexander passed away on March 5 at home in Burbank, California, but her death was not revealed until May, when the executive producer of the show spoke to acknowledge her long-lasting influence on daytime TV, Variety reported.

A

daytime television

trailblazerDenise Alexander was born in 1939. She entered show business at a very young age. She began performing as a child on radio, and when her family relocated to Los Angeles, she continued to perform both on radio and television. Her initial on-screen soap opera debut was in 1960, and it was the beginning of a successful career that would last well over six decades.

Alexander's early television milestone was on the soap opera Days of Our Lives, in which she portrayed Susan Hunter Martin from the mid-1960s through 1973. Notably, she initially declined the role to attend school but ultimately accepted and became a mainstay on the show. Leaving Days of Our Lives after a contract dispute, she soon found herself at ABC, becoming part of General Hospital in 1973.The legendary Dr. Lesley WebberIt was on General Hospital that Alexander made her greatest impact, playing Dr. Lesley Webber-a character who would play a pivotal role in the show's most enduring storylines. Her portrayal of one of the first female physicians on daytime TV broke down barriers and inspired fans. Alexander's work earned her a

Daytime Emmy nomination

in 1976.Her exit from General Hospital in 1984, after another contract dispute, angered fans, particularly after her character was killed off on the show. Fans were so incensed that they protested. In a soap opera-style twist befitting General Hospital, Alexander returned in 1996 when it was discovered that Dr. Webber had actually not died. She made periodic visits to the series until 2021, cementing her status as General Hospital legend.Tributes and legacyGeneral Hospital executive producer

Frank Valentini honored Alexander on X (formerly Twitter), where he stated, "I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander's passing.". She pioneered on-screen and off, as Dr. Lesley Webber-one of Daytime Television's first female doctors-for almost half a century." He added, "It meant a great deal to have her return to her role in later years, and I am humbled to have had the privilege of working alongside her. From the entire family of General Hospital, I would like to pass along my condolences to her loved ones, friends, and longtime supporters.". Rest in peace.In addition to her work as an actress, Alexander was a skilled photographer. She was survived by her late husband, Richard A. Colla, who died in 2021.The legacy of Denise Alexander will live on through generations of soap fans and the TV community as a whole, as a pioneer, a talent, and a passionate craftswoman.