GH’s Steve Buron and Jane Elliot, named performers of the month for September!
For everything there is a season. Still, this “season” of losing our cherished soap veterans has been a tough one for our daytime and soap opera family. It’s been rough.
On January 12, 2025, we lost another titan. Leslie Charleson passed away at the age of 79. Charleson portrayed Monica Quartermaine for 46 years. In Port Charles, Monica passed away on September 17, 2025, in her sleep.
What Happened on General Hospital?
In the aftermath of Monica’s death, General Hospital’s entire cast paid a heartfelt tribute to Charleson and Monica. Leading the way without a doubt were Jane Elliot (Tracy) and Steve Burton (Jason). There were several memorable scenes and noteworthy performances that made us smile, warmed our hearts, and pierced our own grieving hearts.
- Tracy telling Ned and Brook Lynn about Monica’s passing.
- Danny and Jason.
- Lucy and Tracy.
- Lois and Tracy.
- Jason and Tracy speaking at Monica’s funeral, respectively.
- Tracy collapsing in grief on the Quartermaine staircase.
- Jason, Carly, and Sonny.
- Jason and Michael comforting each other.
- Tracy tossing Drew out of Monica’s service.
- Tracy giving all kinds of side eye to Ronnie, Monica’s sister, or so she claims. Elliot going toe to toe with Erika Slezak? Epic!
These and every scene surrounding Monica’s passing were wholehearted, emotional, and deeply moving. For us, the standout was where the tribute began.
Steve Burton and Jane Elliot Deliver a Masterclass Performance
It was genius for the writers to only have Tracy and Jason at home at the time of Monica’s passing. Elliot and Burton did not disappoint, not that any of us expected they would. We have had to say this too many times than we care to lately, but it wasn’t only Tracy and Jason’s speaking and mourning, it was Elliot and Burton as well.
The grief, pain, loss, love, and gratefulness for all the years spent together all shone through the eyes and expressions of Elliot and Burton as they comforted each other and the audience.
The embraces, tears, smiles, laughs, reminiscing, and touches of solace between them in the Quartermaine house were what we all needed. It made our hearts a little less heavy.
Both Tracy and Jason summed up their respective relationships with Monica perfectly.
Tracy, “On a good day, we barely could stand each other. On a bad day, we practically came to blows. Through all of it or because of it, my respect for her kept growing.”
Jason, “We had hard times after the accident. It took me a long time to realize she loved me…I wish I had memories of growing up with Monica as my mom. I should have asked her when I had the chance.”
The Performance to Remember
And there wasn’t a dry eye anywhere when Tracy told Jason the story of how, one day, when he was a baby and was sick, Monica walked in to see about her husband’s sick child. But walked out knowing and feeling that Jason was her son, too. Perfection.
Our condolences remain with Leslie Charleson and her family and with the entire cast and crew of General Hospital.
Bravo, well done, and thank you to Elliot and Burton for leading and consoling us all with love and excellence, and for performances worthy of Charleson and Monica.
Congratulations to Elliot and Burton for being Soap Opera News’ Stars of the Month for September!
Photo Credit: ABC/Christine Bartolucci.
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