Jacklyn Zeman, 70: Longtime `General Hospital' cast member
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.”
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 a real-life brother,” she told co-star Maurice Benard last year on his YouTube series “State of Mind.”
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 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 were warranted.
“Bobbie has been a fascinating person for me to play,” she said in an interview in 1982. “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 and 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.”