Here’s Why Leslie Charlson Likely Gone From General Hospital Forever

It’s been a long time since General Hospital veteran actor Leslie Charleson has been seen in Port Charles, and fans recently received an update that could determine her future on the soap.

Paging Dr. Quartermaine

Charleson was dubbed the longest-running actor on GH after joining the show in 1977 and appearing all the way up until December 2023 when she appeared for a single episode opposite Jane Elliot. While the actress hasn’t been on the show since, co-star Steve Burton revealed earlier this year, after returning to GH in March, that he knew his on-screen mom was doing well and hoped to work with her again.

Charleson stopped appearing on the show over the last few years after suffering several falls, even forcing GH to temporarily recast her with Patty McCormack in 2018, then with Holly Kaplan in 2022. However, characters will often mention Monica, saying she’s either ill or away at medical conferences. She most recently wrote a letter to Jason assuring him she loved him after he got arrested following his return to Port Charles.

Health Update

After not appearing on GH for nearly a year and suffering more recent injuries, a source close to Charleson shared an update with Closer. “It’s harder for her to get around at her age,” they said, noting she was recently spotted in Los Angeles using a walker, but is “doing her best to recover.”

READ THIS: Here’s what’s coming up on GH.

The source continued that Charleson is “doing OK under the circumstances and in no rush to push herself.” But when asked whether she expects to return to GH, the source noted, “Although she’d be welcome back to the show with open arms, it’s unlikely she’ll ever return.”

Do you miss seeing Monica in Port Charles? Let us know in the comments.