Jacklyn Zeman, General Hospital star for more than 4 decades, dead at 70

Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer for 45 years on ABC General Hospitaldied at 70.

Zeman died after a short battle with cancer, his family confirmed Wednesday. News of her death was first announced by the show’s executive producer, Frank Valentini.

“I am saddened to announce the passing of my beloved Jackie Zeman,” he wrote on Twitter. “Like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she is a bright light and a true professional who brings a very positive energy to her work.”

ABC Entertainment and General Hospital also released a statement, saying, “Jacklyn Zeman has been a beloved member General Hospital and ABC Family since she landed the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer more than 45 years ago. She left a lasting legacy for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of a bad girl turned hero and will be remembered for her kind heart and radiant spirit. We are devastated by the news of her passing, and offer our deepest condolences to Jackie’s family, friends and loved ones.

Zeman was the first to participate General Hospital in 1977 as Barbara Jean, who went by Bobbie, and feisty, Anthony Geary’s sister Luke Spencer. Zeman grew up thinking of Geary as family off camera.

“Maybe I’m closer to him than to a real brother,” he told co-star Maurice Benard last year in a YouTube series. State of Mind.

‘fun’ characters

Zeman immediately made an impact, being named best villain by Soap Opera Digest in their 1979 awards, and he continued to thrive. General Hospital would be one of the longest for a US soap opera actor.

Bobbie has worked as a teenage prostitute and given up a baby for adoption but manages to turn her life around and become a nurse at General Hospital.

Zeman’s portrayal of Spencer is a spirited and optimistic woman who is sweet as pie but also has a sense of self. He does not suffer fools and has no problem canceling niceties if he believes it is warranted.

“Bobbie has been a fun person for me to play,” she said in an interview in 1982. “I got to do … all the things that women think about but never dare.”

One of Zeman’s most memorable scenes was in 1994, when Bobbie’s daughter BJ was in a school bus accident that left her brain dead. Bobbie and her then-husband Tony (played by Brad Maule) make the decision to donate their daughter’s heart to her brother, Maxie, who has Kawasaki disease.

Laura Wright, who plays Bobbie’s daughter Carly Spencer, posted a series of broken heart emojis. Jon Lindstrom, who played Kevin Collins, wrote, “It will take me a minute to process. I can not believe that such a life force as mine has left.”

It starts with the role of One Life to Live

Born on March 6, 1953, in Englewood, NJ, Zeman discovered his love for dance as a child and as a teenager, began acting in school productions. She worked in Venezuela as a dancer after high school and had pre-med at New York University but quit when she was offered a contract on an ABC soap. One Life to Live after being originally hired for only three working days.

She played Lana McClain on the soap opera for over a year, and then left General Hospital.

“I didn’t even audition,” he told bloggers in 2010. Zeman was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards for his work on the show.

Outside of soap operas, Zeman worked as a Playboy Club hostess to help pay for college and also acted in commercials. He had a role in 1982 National Lampung Class Reunion and appeared in a string of TV movies. She also had a regular role as Sofia Madison in the crime drama series Baywhich earned him five Emmy nominations.

Zeman’s last appearance General Hospital before he died in April, for his character’s grandson’s wedding. In the same month, he also celebrated the show’s 60th anniversary by posting a video on Instagram for his fans.

“A big, big, sincere thank you to the very special people who have watched us and supported us and kept us on the air all these years. We love you.”

Zeman saved two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, from marrying Glenn Gordon.