Denise Alexander, a beloved figure in daytime TV, has passed away at the age of 85. She was best known for her iconic roles as Dr. Lesley Webber on ABC’s General Hospital and Susan Hunter Martin on NBC’s Days of Our Lives. Over a remarkable career spanning more than 50 years, Alexander became a cherished presence in the world of soap operas, earning respect and admiration from fans and colleagues alike.
Her acting journey began back in the 1950s, with a Broadway debut in The Children’s Hour. She also made guest appearances on popular primetime shows like The Twilight Zone before firmly planting her roots in daytime dramas.
In 1960, she appeared in the series The Clear Horizon and even took part in an unaired pilot for General Hospital in 1962. But it was in 1965 that she officially joined General Hospital, only to switch to Days of Our Lives shortly after. From 1966 to 1973, she was a staple on Days, starring in over 800 episodes and playing a key role in many gripping storylines. Her departure in 1973 left many fans disappointed.
That same year, Alexander made headlines by joining General Hospital as Lesley Webber, a move that stirred up significant buzz. At the time, General Hospital was struggling with ratings, but her character quickly helped revive interest in the show. Her performance earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1976, and she became part of a famous love triangle involving Rick Webber and Monica Quartermaine, played by Chris Robinson and Leslie Charleson respectively.
Denise stayed with General Hospital until 1984 when contract negotiations didn’t work out. Her character was thought to be gone, but was later revealed to be alive—leading to her return in 1996 and several guest appearances through 2021. Over her time on General Hospital, she appeared in more than 1,000 episodes, including special returns for the show’s 50th anniversary in 2013, and again in 2017, 2019, and 2021.
Off-screen, Denise Alexander was married to actor and director Richard Colla for over 40 years until his passing in 2021. Her legacy lives on through her unforgettable characters and decades of storytelling that touched millions of fans around the world.
