Jacklyn Zeman, who became one of the most recognizable actors on daytime television during 45 years of playing nurse Bobbie Spencer on ABCās āGeneral Hospital,ā has died. She was 70.
Zeman died of cancer, her family confirmed Wednesday. News of her death was first by the showās executive producer, Frank Valentini.
āI am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,ā he wrote on Twitter. āJust 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.ā
ABC Entertainment and āGeneral Hospitalā also released a statement saying Zeman "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 Jackieās family, friends and loved ones.ā
Zeman joined āGeneral Hospitalā in 1977 as Barbara Jean, who went by Bobbie, and was the feisty younger sister of Anthony Gearyās Luke Spencer. Zeman grew to regard Geary as family off camera. āIām probably closer to him than I would be a real-life brother,ā she told co-star Maurice Benard last year on his YouTube series āState of Mind.ā
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. Zemanās portrayal of Spencer was a spirited, upbeat woman who was as sweet as pie but who also had a sense of self. She didnāt and had no problem revoking the niceties if warranted.
āBobbie has been a fascinating person for me to play,ā she said in an interview in 1982. āI get to do ... all the things that most women think about but wouldnāt dare.ā
One of Zemanās most memorable scenes was in 1994, when Bobbieās daughter B.J. was in a school bus accident that left her brain dead. Bobbie and then-husband Tony (played by Brad Maule) made the decision to donate their daughterās heart to her cousin, Maxie, who had Kawasaki disease.
Laura Wright, who plays Bobbieās daughter Carly Spencer, posted to Instagram Thursday, āI'm so grateful to have shared so many years with this beautiful woman. Jackie told the best stories - she had an INCREDIBLE spirit and she lived such an amazing life... saying she will be missed is an understatement.ā
Benard, who plays mobster Sonny Corinthos, posted, āThis hit me really hard. A gut punch. I think because Jackie was such a sweet, delicate soul.ā Jon Lindstrom, who plays Kevin Collins described Zeman as a ālife forceā in a tweet.
Zeman's death is the third death to hit the āGeneral Hospitalā cast and crew in six months. Cast member Sonya Eddy died in December from complications of an emergency surgery and beloved producer Nneka Garland died suddenly in April.
Born March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey, 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 āOne Life to Liveā after originally being hired for just three days of work.
On "One Life,ā she played Lana McClain for a little more than one year and then left for āGeneral Hospital.ā āI didnāt even audition,ā she told a blogger in 2010. Zeman was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on the show.
Outside soap operas, Zeman worked as a Playboy Bunny to help pay for college and also acted in commercials. She had a role in 1982ās āNational Lampoon's Class Reunionā and appeared in a string of TV movies, including the ABC Afterschool Special āMontana Crossroadsā in 1993. She also had a series regular role as Sofia Madison in the crime drama series āThe Bay,ā earning her a fifth Emmy Award nomination.
Zeman lastās appearance on āGeneral Hospitalā was in April for the of her characterās grandson. The same month, she also celebrated the showās 60th anniversary by posting a video on Instagram to fans.
āA 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.ā
She was married and divorced three times, first to disc jockey Murray āMurray the Kā Kaufman, then to Steve Gribbin and Glenn Gordon. Zemanās survivors include two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, from her marriage to Gordon and two grandchildren.
Alicia Rancilio, The Associated Press
