Denise Alexander, fellow cast member of General Hospital, pays tribute to the late Jacklyn Zeman, who sadly passed away on May 9 after a brief battle with cancer. Zeman, known for her role as Nurse Bobbie Spencer, was just three days past her 70th birthday and had recently filmed her final episode of General Hospital, which aired on April 27.
In a heartfelt letter shared by Soap Hub on May 15, Alexander expressed her deep emotions: “Oh girl, I can’t stop crying because I keep hearing your voice and laughing. I have always loved and cherished your sweetness, humor, brilliance, and lovely goodness. The finest embraces, too. I will always love you, Denise.”
Denise Alexander joined the General Hospital cast as Dr. Lesley Webber in 1973, while Jacklyn Zeman joined four years later in 1977 as Nurse Bobbie Spencer. Throughout the years, they developed a close friendship both on and off camera. Zeman’s sudden passing has deeply affected Alexander and their colleagues.
Not everyone from Alexander’s former castmates has publicly honored Zeman. Anthony Geary, who portrayed Luke Spencer on General Hospital, sent an exclusive message to TVLine on May 11. Geary acknowledged the special bond between their characters, saying, “For more than 40 years, Zeman’s character had Geary’s character as a big brother.”
Geary spoke highly of Zeman’s character, stating, “I never once overheard her speak ill of any actor, crew member, or colleague. In reality, Jackie never once spoke ill of someone in front of me. I’ve discovered this quality to be incredibly uncommon in a highly competitive industry where ego, feelings, and emotions are the lifeblood.”
Frank Valentini, a soap opera executive producer, initially announced Zeman’s passing, expressing his admiration for her professionalism and positive energy on set. While her absence will be deeply felt, Valentini believes her upbeat attitude will never be forgotten.
As news spread online about Zeman’s untimely passing, an outpouring of condolences flooded in for the beloved actress. Her General Hospital TV family, who had the privilege of working closely with her, mourned her loss and praised her for her generosity and optimistic outlook, even on her most challenging days. Zeman’s legacy will always be cherished.
Laura Wright, who portrayed Carly Spencer, Zeman’s on-screen daughter in the show, shared her gratitude for the time they spent together, saying, “I’m very happy that I got to spend so much time with this lovely woman. Jackie had the best stories to tell, a contagious spirit, and such a remarkable life. She enjoyed working on General Hospital.”
Tamara Braun, who also played Carly’s character, joined Wright in praising Zeman’s legacy. Braun expressed her deep loss and wished she could have more time with Zeman, stating, “I am at a loss for words. This hurts and disturbs me beyond words. I wish to hug you. Join us in our laughter. Tell stories. Talk real talk because that’s what we did.”
Lastly, Sarah Joy Brown, the first actress to play Zeman’s daughter on General Hospital, shared a heartfelt tribute on Twitter. Brown emphasized Zeman’s inner and outer beauty and expressed her condolences to Zeman’s daughters, family, colleagues, and admirers, acknowledging the impact Zeman had on her own success.
Jacklyn Zeman will always be remembered as a remarkable talent and a cherished member of the General Hospital family. Her warm spirit, unwavering kindness, and positive energy will forever live on in the hearts of those who knew and loved her.
