Latest news with #DeniseAlexander
Toronto Sun
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Sun
Legendary soap opera star Denise Alexander dead at 85
"General Hospital" star Denise Alexander has died at the age of 85. Photo by ABC Veteran soap opera actress Denise Alexander has died at the age of 85. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Alexander died March 5 of natural causes at the home of a nephew in Colorado, her stepson, Anthony Colla, told The Hollywood Reporter . The Daytime Emmy nominee played Susan Hunter Martin on NBC's Days of Our Lives from 1966 to 1973 before getting an offer to portray Lesley Webber on ABC's General Hospital. It was a role that lasted nearly 50 years, with her last onscreen appearance coming in 2021. When she joined the show as Webber, Alexander became part of a love triangle along with with Chris Robinson's Rick Webber and Leslie Charleson's Monica Quartermaine. ' General Hospital went to number one for the first time during the Rick and Lesley and Monica triangle storyline,' she told We Love Soaps , according to PEOPLE . Alexander departed General Hospital following a contract dispute in 1984 and joined rival soap Another World. I n 1996 her character was brought back from the dead. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was sad when I left the show,' she told We Love Soaps . 'When you have played a character that long and had fun with it, you can feel the fan's sorrow. I missed the character, and it's a fun thing for me that she came back to life. It's a character I know, and there's still a few people I know there.' General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini hailed Alexander in a social media statement. 'I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander's passing,' Valentini wrote. 'She broke barriers on screen and off portraying Dr. Lesley Webber — one of the first female doctors on daytime television — for nearly five decades. It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years, and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. On behalf of the entire General Hospital family, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and longtime fans. May she rest in peace.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander's passing. She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber - one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television - for nearly five decades. It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am… — General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) May 10, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Days of Our Lives star Susan Seaforth Hayes also took to social media to pay tribute to Alexander. 'Denise Alexander was a friend to treasure and an actress to applaud. She was well established on Days when I joined the cast as Julie #4 (a replacement for 4 previous actresses). She watched Billy and I fall madly in love and, being a romantic lady herself, cheered us on,' she wrote, sharing a photo of herself posing alongside her husband Billy Hayes and Alexander. 'Such happy memories of her years in Salem and her great success on General Hospital. We both began as child actors, both had strong mothers and both were raised as Christian Scientists in our early years. I was grateful for her wisdom, taste, humor, and goodness every time I saw her. It was never enough. And my love for her will never be over.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Soap fans shared their condolences on Valentini's post, with many hailing her for being a trailblazer in the genre. 'I am so sad to hear this, she was a wonderful actress and a huge part of the show's history. The last time she was on, you could see her health had declined but that did not stop her delivering an A+ performance,' one fan wrote. 'GH has lost a lot of its former stars in the last year. Although as a fan I did not personally know them, it felt as if I lost some one I was close to. RIP lovely lady.' Alexander got her acting start as a child, appearing first on radio before moving to television. 'There was television, there was radio, I did theatre, I did everything there was to do, and it seemed natural,' she told We Love Soaps, PEOPLE reported . 'Now when I look back, I think, 'How lucky was I?' — because a lot of people didn't have those experiences.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In that same 2010 interview, Alexander opened up on what her life was like as one of the biggest daytime stars. 'The audience would surround your car and scream when you would try to drive away from some appearance,' she said, according to The Hollywood Reporter . 'Financially, it was great. And I didn't have to go out on audition and be told I was too young, too old, too short, too fat, too boring, nothing. It was a great place to be and a great job and a great gift for an actor. And everybody got famous and that was fun.' mdaniell@ Read More Toronto Maple Leafs Editorial Cartoons World Ontario Sunshine Girls
Fox News
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Fox News
'General Hospital' actress Denise Alexander dead at 85
Denise Alexander, best known for her roles in "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," has died at the age of 85. On Saturday, the executive producer of "General Hospital," Frank Valentini, took to Instagram to share the news and offer condolences to Alexander's family. "I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander's passing. She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber – one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television – for nearly five decades," Valentini's statement began. "It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. On behalf of the entire General Hospital family, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and longtime fans. May she rest in peace." The post was accompanied by a carousel of photos of Alexander throughout the years, both on screen and off. Fans were quick to share their sympathies as well. "She was truly such an integral part of the wonder years of GH!," one commented. "Sending condolences to her family and friends. She was a beautiful actress who provided us many many years of exemplary entertainment on GH," another wrote. Before her "GH" debut, Alexander portrayed Susan Hunter Martin in "Days of Our Lives" for seven years, from 1966 to 1973. She then went on to play Dr. Lesley Williams on "General Hospital" for nearly five decades. Her last appearance on the soap aired in 2021. "Days of Our Lives" star Susan Seaforth Hayes took to social media to pay homage to her dear friend. "Denise Alexander was a friend to treasure and an actress to applaud. She was well established on Days when I joined the cast as Julie #4 (a replacement for 4 previous actresses). She watched Billy and I fall madly in love and, being a romantic lady herself, cheered us on," she wrote, alongside a photo of herself, her husband Billy Hayes and Alexander. "Such happy memories of her years in Salem and her great success on General Hospital. We both began as child actors, both had strong mothers and both were raised as Christian Scientists in our early years. I was grateful for her wisdom, taste, humor, and goodness every time I saw her. It was never enough. And my love for her will never be over."
New York Post
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Post
Denise Alexander, ‘General Hospital' and ‘Days of Our Lives' star, dead at 85
Soap opera star Denise Alexander has died. She was 85. The actress passed away on March 5, Variety reported on Friday. Alexander was best known for her roles as Lesley Webber on 'General Hospital' and Susan Hunter Martin on 'Days of Our Lives.' Advertisement 8 Denise Alexander in 2002. WireImage 'General Hospital' executive producer Frank Valentini mourned Alexander's death on X (formerly Twitter). 'I am so very sorry to hear of Denise Alexander's passing,' he wrote. 'She broke barriers on-screen and off, portraying Dr. Lesley Webber – one of the first female doctors on Daytime Television – for nearly five decades.' Advertisement 8 Denise Alexander on 'General Hospital' in 1981. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images Valentini continued, 'It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years and I am honored to have had the opportunity to work with her. On behalf of the entire General Hospital family, I extend my heartfelt sympathies to her family, friends, and longtime fans. May she rest in peace.' Genie Francis, who played Alexander's TV daughter on 'General Hospital,' also shared a tribute to the late actress on social media. 'Thank you mama, for so much more than u know. #GH,' Francis, 62, wrote alongside photos of the pair. Advertisement 8 'General Hospital' stars Craig Huebing, Genie Francis, Michael Gregory, Denise Alexander and John Beradino in 1978. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 'Days of Our Lives' star Susan Seaforth Hayes shared her own Instagram tribute to Alexander, calling her 'a friend to treasure and an actress to applaud. ' 'Such happy memories of her years in Salem and her great success on General Hospital,' said Hayes, 81. 'We both began as child actors, both had strong mothers and both were raised as Christian Scientists in our early years.' 8 Denise Alexander, Susan Seaforth Hayes in 'Days of Our Lives' in 1971. NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Advertisement 'I was grateful for her wisdom, taste, humor, and goodness every time I saw her,' she added about Alexander. 'It was never enough. And my love for her will never be over.' Alexander was born in New York City in 1939. Her father was talent agent Alec Alexander, who worked with stars such as Frank Gorshin and Sal Mineo. 8 Denise Alexander attends the Hollywood Sign's 90th Anniversary in 2013. FilmMagic The actress made her TV debut in 1949 on 'The Ford Theater Hour.' Her first feature film was Don Siegal's 1956 movie 'Crime in the Streets.' In 1966, Alexander was cast in 'Days of Our Lives.' Her character, Susan Hunter Martin, dealt with the death of her son and murdered her husband during Alexander's seven years on the show. 8 Denise Alexander, Bill Hayes in 'Days of Our Lives.' NBCUniversal via Getty Images After leaving 'Days' in 1973, Alexander was immediately cast as Lesley Webber in 'General Hospital.' The role earned Alexander a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1976. Alexander starred on 'General Hospital' on and off for almost 50 years. Lesley was killed in 1984 and then resurrected in 1996. Alexander's last appearance on the soap was in 2021. Advertisement 8 Rachel Ames, Denise Alexander, Braden Walkes, Greg Vaughan, Rebecca Herbst, Jackie Zeman in 'General Hospital' in 2007. ABC 8 Denise Alexander in a photo shoot for 'General Hospital' in 1983. Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 'I was sad when I left the show,' she told We Love Soaps in 2010. 'When you have played a character that long and had fun with it, you can feel the fan's sorrow.' Advertisement 'I missed the character,' Alexander added, 'and it's a fun thing for me she came back to life. It's a character I know, and there's still a few people I know there.' Alexander is survived by her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Colla, from her marriage to director and producer Richard A. Colla, who died in 2010.
Express Tribune
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Denise Alexander, ‘General Hospital' and ‘Days of Our Lives' star, dies at 85
Veteran soap opera actress Denise Alexander, best known for her roles on General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, has died at the age of 85. Alexander was a prominent figure in daytime television from the 1960s through the 2000s, portraying Susan Hunter Martin on NBC's Days of Our Lives and Dr. Lesley Webber on ABC's General Hospital. Alexander's acting career began in the 1950s with a Broadway role in The Children's Hour, followed by appearances on shows like The Twilight Zone. She joined Days of Our Lives in 1966, appearing in over 800 episodes until her departure in 1973, the same year she transitioned to General Hospital. Her move to GH caused a media stir but revitalized the struggling series. Her character became central to a key love triangle and earned Alexander a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1976. She left the show in 1984 amid contract disputes but returned in 1996, ultimately appearing in over 1,000 episodes until her final appearance in 2021. Alexander was married for over 40 years to director and actor Richard Colla, who passed away in 2021. Tributes poured in from former co-stars, including Genie Francis and Susan Seaforth Hayes. GH executive producer Frank Valentini also praised Alexander's legacy, calling her one of the first female doctors on daytime TV and a barrier-breaking actress whose influence spanned decades. Alexander's contributions to daytime television leave a lasting impact on generations of viewers and colleagues alike.
Time of India
10-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
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. Operation Sindoor 'Pakistan army moving its troops in forward areas': Key takeaways from govt briefing 'Pak used drones, long-range weapons, jets to attack India's military sites' 'Attempted malicious misinformation campaign': Govt calls out Pakistan's propaganda A daytime television trailblazer Denise 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 Webber It 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 legacy General 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.
