Denise Alexander, Soap Opera Legend, Dies at 85
Denise Alexander, best known as Dr. Lesley Webber on General Hospital, has passed away at 85. A trailblazer on and off screen, she was one of daytime TV’s first female doctors and a beloved figure in the soap world.
Her career began in 1960 with The Clear Horizon, but she rose to fame as Susan Martin on Days of Our Lives (1966–1973). In 1973, she made a high-profile move to General Hospital, becoming a fan favorite for over a decade. Her character Lesley was dramatically written off in 1984, but she returned in 1996 and continued making guest appearances until 2021.
Born in NYC in 1939 and raised in Long Island and L.A., Alexander was acting by childhood, amassing over 5,000 radio appearances and 500 TV credits by college. Her marriage to Days co-star Richard Colla lasted until his death in 2021.
Alexander died on March 5, 2025, though her death was announced two months later by GH executive producer Frank Valentini, who praised her barrier-breaking career and enduring impact. Tributes poured in from fans and fellow actors, including Days star Susan Seaforth Hayes, who remembered Alexander as a cherished friend and gifted actress.