Actress Leslie Charleson has died at the age of 79, as friends and fans paid tribute to the star.

Actress Leslie Charleson has died. Credit: Michael Tullberg/Getty Images

Charleson was best known for playing Monica Quartermaine on the show General Hospital, a role which she held on the soap opera for almost 50 years.

News of the Daytime Emmy nominee’s death was shared by executive producer Frank Valentini.

He wrote on the show’s official Instagram account: “It is with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my dear friend and colleague, Leslie Charleson.

“Her enduring legacy has spanned nearly 50 years on General Hospital alone and, just as Monica was the heart of the Quartermaines, Leslie was a beloved matriarch of the entire cast and crew.

“I will miss our daily chats, her quick wit, and incredible presence on set. On behalf of everyone at General Hospital, my heartfelt sympathy goes out to her loved ones during this difficult time.”

She began working on the ABC drama in 1977 and appeared in over 2,000 episodes of General Hospital, making her the longest-tenured member of the cast, according to IMDb.

As well as her role on General Hospital, Charleson also portrayed the role of Dr. Monica Quartermaine on the spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift and Port Charles.

Prior to joining the soap opera, Charleson’s career started in the 1960s with roles on A Flame In The Wind and A The World Turns.

She also appeared in over 1,400 episodes of Love Is A Many Splendored Thing, where she caught the eye of Ron Howard and went on to star as Mrs. Dorothy Kimber in an episode of Happy Days.

Charleson had starred on General Hospital for almost 50 years. Credit: Jean-Paul Aussenard/WireImage/Getty Images

Charleson also made an appearance as herself on Friends, as well as playing a waitress in The Return Of The Muskrats.