Renowned soap opera actress Denise Alexander has sadly passed away at the age of 85. According to a report by Variety, Alexander died on March 5. She was celebrated for her iconic roles on two of daytime television's most beloved shows, portraying Lesley Webber on “General Hospital” and Susan Hunter Martin on “Days of Our Lives.”
The news of Alexander's death has prompted heartfelt tributes from her colleagues in the television industry. Frank Valentini, the executive producer of “General Hospital,” expressed his condolences on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter). He stated, “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.” Valentini further honored Alexander by saying, “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.”
In a touching tribute, Genie Francis, who played Alexander's television daughter on “General Hospital,” shared her memories on social media. “Thank you mama, for so much more than you know. GH,” she wrote, accompanied by photos of the duo. Additionally, Susan Seaforth Hayes, a star from “Days of Our Lives,” honored Alexander with an Instagram post, describing her as “a friend to treasure and an actress to applaud.” Hayes reminisced about their shared experiences: “Such happy memories of her years in Salem and her great success on General Hospital.”
Born in New York City in 1939, Denise Alexander was the daughter of talent agent Alec Alexander, who represented stars such as Frank Gorshin and Sal Mineo. Alexander made her television debut at the young age of 10 in 1949 on “The Ford Theater Hour.” Her first feature film appearance came in Don Siegal’s 1956 movie “Crime in the Streets.”
In 1966, Alexander joined the cast of “Days of Our Lives” as Susan Hunter Martin, a role that exposed her to a wider audience. During her seven-year stint on the show, her character faced numerous dramatic challenges, including the tragic death of her son and the murder of her husband. After leaving “Days” in 1973, Alexander transitioned to “General Hospital,” where she would become a household name as Lesley Webber.
Denise Alexander's portrayal of Lesley Webber earned her a Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1976, and she remained a significant presence on “General Hospital” for nearly 50 years. Despite her character being killed off in 1984, Lesley was resurrected in 1996, allowing Alexander to continue her legacy in the soap opera world. Her final appearance on the show occurred in 2021, marking the end of an incredible era.
Reflecting on her time with the character, Alexander shared her feelings with We Love Soaps in 2010, stating, “I was sad when I left the show. When you have played a character that long and had fun with it, you can feel the fan’s sorrow.” She expressed her joy at Lesley's return, saying, “I missed the character, and it’s a fun thing for me she came back to life.”
Denise Alexander is survived by her stepdaughter, Elizabeth Colla, from her marriage to director and producer Richard A. Colla, who passed away in 2010. Her remarkable contributions to daytime television and her legacy as a pioneering actress will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
