Soap opera veteran Denise Alexander, best known for her roles as Lesley Webber on General Hospital and Susan Hunter Martin on Days of Our Lives, passed away. Her death was revealed recently, leaving fans and industry professionals in mourning.
“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,” said General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini on social media. “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.”
Denise Alexander’s career began in the early 1950s with her Broadway debut in The Children’s Hour and roles on TV shows like Father Knows Best, The Twilight Zone, and The Danny Kaye Show. Her acting career took a turn in 1960 when she joined the CBS soap The Clear Horizon. Two years later, she appeared as Susan Martin on Days of Our Lives in 1966. Alexander quickly became a fixture on the show, with her character facing numerous dramatic storylines, from murder to mental illness.
According to Soap Opera Digest, Alexander worked without a signed contract for much of her time on Days, and her role as Susan became a defining part of the show’s early years.
After leaving Days in 1973, Alexander joined General Hospital as Lesley Webber, where she became a key figure in one of daytime’s most iconic love triangles. Her portrayal of Lesley earned her an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series. During her time on GH, Alexander’s character was embroiled in multiple dramatic storylines, including a murder trial and a presumed death that led to fan outrage.
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According to Variety, her character’s unexpected return to life in 1996 was one of the most shocking moments in soap opera history.
Alexander continued to appear on General Hospital over the years, returning for various special episodes and making her last appearance in 2021. Her dedication to her craft and the soap opera community left an indelible mark on the genre.
Her departure from Days of Our Lives and General Hospital was met with public outcry, and fans remembered her as a trailblazer in daytime television. Soap Opera Digest also notes that Alexander’s lasting friendships with co-stars, including Susan Flannery and Chris Robinson, enriched her career both on and off-screen. Her legacy lives on through her groundbreaking roles in two of the most popular soap operas in television history.
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