Wally Kurth explained how he not only got to sing at Leslie Charleson’s celebration of life, but also ended up emceeing the event.
Leslie Charleson left a legacy on General Hospital that many only wish they could emulate. Her charm, charisma, and love for her co-stars shined through her performance as Monica Quartermaine over the years. Her passing on January 12 at age 79 was a shock to her co-workers and her fans, but her castmates came out in full force to celebrate her life. Co-star Wally Kurth led the event and opened up about how that came to be.
He Did More Than Sing
Kurth, who plays Monica’s nephew, Ned, spoke to Soap Opera Digest about how emceeing the event became his task. He explained that during Charleson’s final days, his TV mom, Jane Elliot (Tracy), had been messaging Charleson’s longtime assistant, Krista Zampino. They discussed the details of what would happen after the icon passed away, with Elliot requesting that Kurth be part of the proceedings.
The actor explained, “I thought I was just going to be asked to sing, but Krista asked me if I wouldn’t mind leading it, as well, and I said, ‘Okay!’ So, I led the ceremony. I opened, I sang two songs and then I closed it.” He added that he also assisted the other speakers in dealing with the emotional nature of their tributes.
Ned and Monica Have an Uncomfortable Past
Kurth was surprised to learn from several people that Charleson constantly spoke highly of him. “I was so touched by that because we never really hung out that much outside of work,” he revealed. He further noted that despite that, he and Charleson were often together at fan appearances such as the GH Fan Club Weekends and the annual Quartermaine Brunch. “Leslie and I were always bonded in that sense,” he stated. “I think we both regarded fans in the same loving, supportive way.”
Before Kurth took over the role of Ned in 1991, Kurt McKinney played the part from 1988 until then. During that time, Ned was introduced as a spa worker going by the name ‘Ward’ who had an affair with Monica and was shocked to learn that he was her aunt. Kurth lamented that he didn’t get to work with the icon in that story: “Sadly, I didn’t get to play that out with Leslie. That would have been fun! I would have liked that. Leslie used to always joke about how she regretted it, too.” He further acknowledged that Charleson would have loved to revisit that story and found the concept flattering.
