Denise Alexander, Iconic ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ Star, Dies at 85
By [Your Name], Entertainment Correspondent, May 12, 2025
Los Angeles, CA – Denise Alexander, the beloved soap opera actress renowned for her portrayal of Dr. Lesley Webber on General Hospital and Susan Hunter Martin on Days of Our Lives, passed away on March 5, 2025, at the age of 85 in Boulder, Colorado. Her death was announced on May 9 by General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini, sparking an outpouring of tributes from co-stars, fans, and the daytime television community. While no official cause of death has been disclosed, Alexander’s nearly five-decade career as a trailblazing actress, particularly her groundbreaking role as one of daytime TV’s first female doctors, leaves a lasting legacy.
A Storied Career in Daytime Television
Born on November 11, 1939, in New York City, Alexander began acting at age six, amassing over 2,500 radio appearances and 500 TV roles by 1968, including guest spots on Father Knows Best, The Twilight Zone, and The Danny Kaye Show. Her Broadway debut came in 1952 with The Children’s Hour, followed by her film debut at 14 in Crime in the Streets (1956) alongside John Cassavetes. Her father, Alec Alexander, a talent agent, facilitated her move to Los Angeles, where she studied at UCLA while building her career.
Alexander’s soap opera journey began in 1960 with The Clear Horizon, but her breakout role was Susan Hunter Martin on Days of Our Lives from 1966 to 1973, where she appeared in over 800 episodes. Her character’s dramatic arc, including the loss of her son and the murder of her husband, captivated audiences. In 1973, amid contract disputes with Days, ABC offered her a lucrative deal to join General Hospital as Dr. Lesley Webber, a role that would define her legacy.
As Lesley, initially named Lesley Williams, Alexander became a cornerstone of General Hospital’s rise to ratings dominance. Her character, the mother of Laura Vining (Genie Francis), was central to a torrid love triangle with Rick Webber (Chris Robinson) and Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson), which propelled the show to number one in the late 1970s. “Rick and Lesley were the Luke and Laura of their day,” Alexander told We Love Soaps, referencing the iconic super-couple. Her performance earned a 1976 Daytime Emmy nomination, and Lesley’s dramatic confession to a murder committed by Laura further cemented her impact.
Alexander left General Hospital in 1984 after a contract dispute, with Lesley controversially killed off in a car crash, prompting about 75 fans to picket ABC studios (The New York Times). She joined Another World as Mary McKinnon from 1986 to 1989, but returned to General Hospital in 1996 when Leslie was revealed to be alive, recurring until 2009. She made guest appearances in 2013 for the show’s 50th anniversary, as well as in 2017, 2019, and 2021, her final role.
Tributes from Co-Stars and Fans
Frank Valentini announced Alexander’s passing on X, writing, “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 honored to have had the opportunity to work with her.”
Genie Francis, who played Alexander’s on-screen daughter Laura, shared a heartfelt tribute with TV Insider: “I loved her. She loved me. I stole her good stuff. Some of my acting, some of my style, was directly imprinted on me by Denise Alexander.” Francis recounted a cherished memory of Alexander gifting her a necklace—a charm of an angel on a cloud—which Francis later passed to her daughter, Eliza Frakes, an aspiring actress. “When I told Denise that, she cried,” Francis said, underscoring their deep bond.
Susan Seaforth Hayes, Alexander’s Days of Our Lives co-star, paid tribute on Instagram, calling her “a friend to treasure and an actress to applaud.” Hayes recalled their shared history as child actors and Christian Scientists, adding, “My love for her will never be over.” Fans on X echoed the sentiment, with @StacyDmomof5 noting, “Always loved her as Laura’s mom on General Hospital. I thought it was cool that ‘Lulu’ is named after her,” and @vbeiersdor1 urging the show to address her passing on-screen alongside Leslie Charleson’s Monica.
A Legacy of Breaking Barriers
Alexander’s portrayal of Dr. Lesley Webber was groundbreaking, showcasing a strong, professional woman in an era when female doctors were rare on TV. Her passionate fanbase felt a personal connection, as she told The Hour in 1977: “The public feels closer to afternoon stars than to movie types. After all, we are with them daily, and they feel they know us.” The outcry over Lesley’s 1984 death and the 1996 resurrection highlighted her enduring impact.
Alexander was married to director Richard A. Colla, whom she met on Days of Our Lives and who passed away in 2021. She is survived by her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Colla. Her stepson told The Hollywood Reporter that Elizabeth died three weeks after Alexander, adding to the family’s loss.
Impact on General Hospital and Beyond
Alexander’s contributions helped elevate General Hospital during a critical period, with the Lesley-Rick-Monica triangle rivaling the later Luke and Laura phenomenon. Fans on X, like @port_misery, called her a “GH legend,” while @OneMidwestgirl mourned the loss of a “beloved matriarch.” Many, including @vbeiersdor1, hope the show will honor Alexander and Charleson, who died earlier in 2025, with a storyline addressing their characters’ legacies.
Alexander’s death marks the end of an era for daytime television, but her trailblazing roles and heartfelt performances ensure her place in soap opera history. As Valentini noted, “May she rest in peace.”
Sources: People, Variety, Soap Opera Digest, TV Insider, The Hollywood Reporter, We Love Soaps, The New York Times, X posts from @GeneralHospital, @port_misery, @OneMidwestgirl, @StacyDmomof5, @vbeiersdor1, @MikeBarnes4