General Hospital Wayback: Remember Lesley Webber

Throughout soap opera history there have been many beloved matriarchs and caring docs and General Hospital doctor, Lesley Webber, played by Emmy-nominee Denise Alexander, is both of these things. Here’s a look back at the fan-favorite who still makes occasional appearances in Port Charles today.

Port Charles Town
Dr. Lesley Williams was new to General Hospital, but she shared a past with Florence, one of her patients. Flo was the wife of Gordon Gray, the married man Lesley had an affair with back in college. Lesley seeing Gordon again brought up memories of their baby who died shortly after birth – or so Lesley believed.

Finding Laura
Lesley wed Cameron Faulkner, who tried to keep Lesley from reuniting with her daughter, Laura. It turned out that Laura was alive and being raised by the Vining family. Cameron kidnapped Lesley but was killed in a car wreck. Lesley, pregnant with Cameron’s child, miscarried. She reunited with Laura and began a new romance with her colleague, Dr. Rick Webber.

Trial And Errors
Lesley had a rival for Rick’s affections – Monica, who was wed to Rick’s brother Jeff. Rick and Lesley grew closer after he convinced Laura to give Lesley a chance. Rick and Lesley wed, and Laura moved in with them. Trouble was coming in the form of Rick’s “pal” David Hamilton.

Laura began an affair with David not knowing that he was really attracted to Lesley. After Lesley learned that Laura accidentally killed David, she took the blame and was convicted of killing him. Rick figured out the truth, and Laura was put on probation but Lesley’s lies caused ripples in her marriage.

Lassa Fever
Lesley was literally left out when a hospital quarantine trapped Rick and Monica in the hospital. Rick and Monica grew close during the Lassa fever ordeal, but they did not make love – until after Monica’s husband Alan threw her out, believing Monica had been unfaithful.

Lesley delivered a pregnant Monica’s son during a blizzard. During labor, a delirious Monica cried out that Rick was the father! Rick and Lesley divorced, but it was evident they still loved one another.

Bombay Away
Lesley entered intensive therapy to deal with her frustrations over losing Rick. Later, Alan declared at a gala that he was the father of A.J. due to the Bombay phenotype. A betrayed Rick called it off with Monica. Lesley slapped Monica after she told her that she could give Rick what Lesley couldn’t – passion! Months later, Monica confessed to Lesley that she (Lesley) was the woman Rick truly loved.

Love Lost And Found
Lesley developed a gambling addiction after Laura was presumed dead. She and Rick adopted little Mike. By taking in Laura’s sister Amy and street kid Blackie, the Webber house had joy in it once more. Lesley was left speechless when Laura turned up alive, having been kept captive by the Cassadines.

Her happiness was short-lived, however. Mike’s adoptive mother, Ginny Blake, showed up wanting her son. Before a custody battle could ensue, Lesley died in a car accident. A plaque in her name was placed on the wall at General Hospital.

Stefan’s Gift
Over a decade later, it was revealed that Stefan Cassadine had faked Lesley’s death. He kept her hidden and drugged. Luke and Laura rescued a catatonic Lesley. Audrey and Monica visited Lesley, which helped bring her around. Lesley and Laura left town together so she could recuperate more.

Re-Writing Rick
Rick and Lesley were reunited briefly when he came to Port Charles for Laura and Luke’s second wedding. In a serious case of re-written history, Laura recalled Rick’s affair with a nurse named Theresa Carter. Scotty ended up killing Rick, and Laura went to Shadybrook Sanitarium to get some help.

Early Release
While Laura was institutionalized, Lesley acted as a surrogate mother to her grandchildren. Eventually, Laura came out of her catatonic state. In more recent years, Lesley officiated at Laura’s wedding to Kevin.

Earlier this year, she attended a memorial for her late pal, Dr. Gail Baldwin, where she was paired off with “frenemy” Monica. The two women reminisced about Rick and Alan. Lesley reminded Monica that back in the day she was a slut! General Hospital (GH) airs weekdays on ABC. Check your local listings for airtimes.