Denise Alexander dead at 85. Source: @generalhospital/X
Denise Alexander, beloved for her iconic role as Lesley Webber on General Hospital, passed away on Wednesday, March 5, at 85.
The news of Denise Alexander’s death sparked heartfelt tributes from across the television world.
General Hospital showrunner Frank Valentini expressed his sorrow on X, saying, “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.”
He added, “It meant so much to have her reprise her role in recent years. I am honored to have worked 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.”
“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… pic.twitter.com/AqbOX9afiE
— General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) May 10, 2025
Born in New York City in 1939, Denise Alexander’s acting career began at just six years old on the radio.
In a 2010 interview with We Love Soaps, she reflected, “There was television, there was radio, I did theater, I did everything there was to do, and it seemed natural.”
She continued, “Now, when I look back, I think, ‘How lucky was I?’ because many people didn’t have those experiences.”
Her family later moved to Los Angeles for her father’s work as an agent. There, Alexander quickly made a name for herself, racking up 5,000 radio appearances and 500 TV roles by 1968.
The talented actress made her film debut in the 1956 movie Crime in the Streets, starring alongside John Cassavetes.
Denise Alexander’s career began in radio soaps, but her first major on-screen role came in 1960’s The Clear Horizon, where she played the daughter of an astronaut. In 1966, she landed a role on Days of Our Lives—offered without an audition by creators Ted and Betty Corday.
Although she initially turned down the role to focus on her studies at UCLA, she later decided to give acting another try. “Now I’m thankful I did,” she shared.
Three years later, Alexander joined General Hospital as Lesley Williams, a character later revealed to be Laura’s mother. Her portrayal of Lesley became iconic, starring in a passionate love triangle that captivated audiences. Her performance earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1976.
She stayed with General Hospital until 1984, when contract disputes led to her controversial exit from the show. Her character’s death sparked a fan backlash, with many protesting the decision.
Outside of her acting career, Denise Alexander was a talented photographer.
In a 1978 interview, she shared, “There is a tendency for a lot of actors and actresses to feel like professional lightweights.”
Married to director Richard A. Colla until his passing in 2021, Denise leaves behind a legacy that will be cherished by both fans and friends.
