Doctor Doctor

Photo by Terry Richardson. This is Ronnie Simonsen reporting for VICE. I like General Hospital’s Leslie Charleson because she plays a doctor. She plays a cardiac surgeon. I’ve been following her career since 1977. I belong to her fan club and I get personal letters from her and I really admire her work as an actress and I really enjoy her. I think she’s a good person. Chad Everett played Joe Gannon on Medical Center. Oh, I love him. He’s my favorite. He’s also a Christian and we prayed together. Medical Center was on from ’69 until ’76. I called up my friend Leslie at her home in sunny California and she had this to say: VICE (me): How are you, Leslie? Leslie: I’m doing fine, Ron. And I am so proud of you! That means a lot to me, because I’m so proud of you for 25 years as Dr. Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital. Well, thank you. You know, so many people from the show told me that they heard you on the radio. You mean the people from General Hospital heard me singing the song about you!? Oh God, that makes me feel good! They heard it on the news and they came up to me and said, “My heavens, you must have a really big fan.” And what did you say? I said, “I’m so pleased that you are the best fan I could possibly have.” Thanks. I’m an actor too, you know. I know Ron. I know that from everything that you’ve sent me. So I haven’t talked to you since ’95. Not personally, no, but I feel that we have through the letters. I want to ask you some questions. How did you get started acting? I started when I was a little girl, and then I got into drama club in high school and decided it was going to be my major when I went to college. And what college did you attend? A junior college in upstate New York. When I graduated, my parents paid my rent for a while in New York. I was very lucky—I got a job right away, with a soap called A Time For Us. Then I did one called Love Is An Exciting Thing. I remember that. You played Iris Donneley. You were on there in 1966, wasn’t it? Things sure have changed since then. A lot has changed, but I don’t regret ever having that experience. It was live TV, so it was wonderful training. So tell me, how does it feel to be on General Hospital after all these years? It’s amazing, Ronnie. The 25th anniversary was also the anniversary of Elvis Presley’s death, and I was a big fan of his. Just like I’m a big fan of yours. Just about. I was driving to work and an Elvis song came on the radio and I just pulled over and said, “My gosh, it’s 25 years and it seems like yesterday.” Well, you know I just turned 47, so… You did? Halloween was my birthday. Thank you for the card—I appreciate it. You’re welcome, Ron. Happy belated birthday.

Leslie Charleson

Well that’s OK, Leslie. That’s a nice compliment there. Were your parents supportive about your acting and stuff? My mother kind of dabbled in acting and she knew the pitfalls, but the more that she said, “It’s a terrible business,” the more I decided it was wonderful and it’s the only thing I should do. We just have to find the right choice and talk to God about it and he helps us out. A strong belief in yourself and that things are going to work out is nice to have. Yeah, and I know that both of your parents have gone. I know that your sister was gone too, and I know that was rough for you. Yes, it was. Because I went through that with my real father. That happened too. So I understand, you know. Well, hopefully with something like that you become stronger and… And I do pray for you, Leslie. Well, thank you, Ron. Would you like to do a skit with me over the phone? I can play Alan and you could play yourself, Monica. [laughing] Well, certainly. I’ll be Alan, OK? Or do you want me to play Rick Weber? [laughs] There’s a really big difference with those two characters. I’m not sure. Who do you want to be? I’ll be Alan. OK? [adopting his Alan Quartermaine voice, which is a much gruffer and stern version of his usual speaking voice]…Hello Monica, this is Alan Quartermaine. [as Monica] I know who you are Alan. What do you want? What do I want? What’s this I hear about you playing around with Rick Weber? Now come on, Monica! You know what I’m talking about. I have no idea what you’re talking about. And don’t you dare speak to me that way! Do you know that Rick Weber is going to take over General Hospital? Look Monica, I run that hospital. You’re the head of cardiac surgery, so you better get your butt back to Port Charles or else there’s gonna be me to deal with! [imitates sound of phone hanging up]. [as Leslie again] Hello? Did you just hang up on me? [as Ronnie again] Oh no, I wouldn’t do that Leslie. I love you. I even got caviar and champagne. [both laugh] Oh, that was Alan who hung up on me. Yeah it was. That’s medical drama for you. You know How’s Your News? visited the set of General Hospital, but you weren’t there. I was so mad about that. I was away. I got to sit in the Quartermaine living room. But you got my note and I really wanted to see you. Maybe next time when we come to California, if you’re there we can see each other. Absolutely. That would be exciting. I’m looking forward to it now that you’re becoming such a celebrity. [pretending to be embarrassed] Well, coming from Dr. Quartermaine, I can’t…I, I… [laughs] Well anyway, I really appreciate you talking to us like this. This really means a lot to me. We have to put this interview in the national Leslie Charleson Fan Club book, OK? Because this is a big thing—I mean you and I, talking! You take care, Ron. I love you, Leslie. Love you too.