'General Hospital' actress Denise Alexander dies

Actress Denise Alexander, best known for her role as Lesley Webber (mother of the character Laura Spencer, played by Genie Francis) on 'General Hospital', has died at the age of 85.

According to Variety, the actress died on March 5, but the news was only revealed now.

"I am deeply saddened to hear about Denise Alexander's passing. She broke barriers on and off screen, playing Dr. Lesley Webber - one of the first female doctors on daytime television - for nearly five decades," General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini began writing on social media, according to the international press.

In the same post, he also highlighted that he feels "honored to have had the opportunity to work" with the actress. "On behalf of the entire 'General Hospital' family, I express my sincere condolences to her family, friends and longtime fans. May she rest in peace," he concluded.

Denise Alexander made her Broadway debut in the early 1950s on 'The Children's Hour.' She has guest-starred on television shows such as 'Father Knows Best,' 'The Twilight Zone,' and 'The Danny Kaye Show.' In the 1960s, she joined the cast of the CBS soap opera 'The Clear Horizon.' The actress was last seen on 'General Hospital' in 2021.