The soap community was hit with another death of a beloved star. While Denise Alexander passed away in March, her death wasn’t announced until this weekend.
In light of this, stars have begun to pay tribute to the actress who first broke into the soap opera genre by playing Lois Adams on The Clear Horizon in 1960.
However, her big break on soaps came with the role of Susan Hunter Martin on Days of Our Lives from 1966 to 1973. It was after that she was tap as the unforgettable Lesley Webber on General Hospital.
General Hospital Tributes
Alexander originally played Lesley from 1973 to 1984 and from 1996 to 2009. She also made several guest appearances in 2013, 2017, and April 2019. During her run on the show, she played mother to Genie Francis‘ Laura Spencer.
Sharing pictures with Alexander, Francis wrote on X: “Thank you, mama, for so much more than you know.”
Kin Shriner, famous for playing the show’s Scotty Baldwin, also took to X with a picture of himself sharing big smiles with Alexander. His caption reads, “I always walked on egg shells but Denise was a true pro; we had fun @GeneralHospital RIP to Denise Alexander, what a time we had!!!”
Frank Valentini, the show’s Executive Producer fondly remembered Alexander. He wrote, “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. 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.”
Kristina Wagner (Felicia) said, “Sending my heartfelt condolences to her family.”
Days of Our Lives Memories
As previously mentioned, Alexander played Susan Hunter Martin on Days from 1966 to 1973. As she moved over to GH, the role was then played by Bennye Gatteys.
Reflecting on their friendship, Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) wrote, “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 me fall madly in love and, being a romantic lady herself, cheered us on.
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.”
Personal Life and Legacy
Born in New York City on November 11, 1939, Denise Alexander later moved to LA, where she accumulated numerous film and television roles. Alexander was married to director and actor Richard Colla, who passed away in 2021. (Photo: ABC)
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