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

Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer for 45 years on ABC’s General Hospital, has died at 70.

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

“I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,” he wrote on Twitter. “Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and a true professional that brought so much positive energy with her work.”

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

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

“I’m probably closer to him than I would be to a real-life brother,” she told co-star Maurice Benard last year on his YouTube series State of Mind.

‘Fascinating’ character

Zeman made an impact immediately, named best villainess by Soap Opera Digest in their 1979 awards, and her run on General Hospital would turn out to be one of the longest for a U.S. soap actor.

Bobbie had worked as a teen prostitute and given up a baby for adoption but had managed to turn her life around and become a nurse at General Hospital.

Zeman’s portrayal of Spencer was that of a spirited, upbeat woman who was as sweet as pie but who also had a sense of self. She didn’t suffer fools and had no problem revoking the niceties if she believed it was warranted.

“Bobbie has been a fascinating person for me to play,” she said in a 1982 interview. “I get to do … all the things that most women think about but wouldn’t dare.”

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

Laura Wright, who plays Bobbie’s daughter Carly Spencer, posted a series of broken heart emojis. Jon Lindstrom, who plays Kevin Collins, wrote, “This is going to take me a minute to process. I can’t believe such a life force as hers has left.”

Began with One Life to Live role

Born March 6, 1953, in Englewood, N.J., Zeman discovered a love for dance as a child and as a teen, began acting in school productions. She worked in Venezuela as a dancer after high school and was pre-med at New York University but dropped out when she was offered a contract at the ABC soap One Life to Live after originally being hired for just three days of work.

She played Lana McClain on that soap for a little more than one year, and then left for General Hospital.

“I didn’t even audition,” she told a blogger in 2010. Zeman was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards for her 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. She had a role in 1982’s National Lampoon’s Class Reunion and appeared in a string of TV movies. She also had a series regular role as Sofia Madison in the crime-drama series The Bay, which earned her a fifth Emmy nomination.

Zeman’s last appearance on General Hospital before her death was in April, for the wedding of her character’s grandson. The same month she also celebrated the show’s 60th anniversary by posting a video on Instagram to fans.

“A great, big, heartfelt thank you to the very special people who have been watching us and supporting us and keeping us on the air all these years. We love you.”

Zeman is survived by two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, from her marriage to Glenn Gordon.