Global Courant 2023-05-11 15:48:19
Jacklyn Zeman, who played Bobbie Spencer on ABC’s “General Hospital” for 45 years, has passed away at the age of 70.
Zeman died after a short battle with cancer, her family confirmed on Wednesday. The 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. “Like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and a true professional who brought so much positive energy to 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 began the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer more than 45 years ago. She leaves a lasting legacy. for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the bad girl turned heroine who will always be remembered for her kind heart and radiant spirit. We are devastated by the news of her passing and extend 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 spunky, younger sister of Anthony Geary’s Luke Spencer. Zeman came to think of Geary as family off camera. “I’m probably closer to him than I would be a real brother,” she told co-star Maurice Benard on his YouTube series ‘State of Mind’ last year.
Bobbie had worked as a teenage prostitute and given a baby up for adoption, but had managed to turn her life around and become a nurse at General Hospital. Zeman’s portrayal of Spencer was a feisty, fun-loving woman who was as sweet as pie, but who also had a sense of self. She wasn’t fooled and had no problem withdrawing the favors if she felt 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 most women think about but wouldn’t dare.”
One of Zeman’s most memorable scenes was in 1994 and Bobbie’s daughter BJ is involved 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 a life force like hers has left.”
Born on March 6, 1953 in Englewood, New Jersey, Zeman discovered a love of dance as a child and began acting in school productions as a teenager. She worked in Venezuela as a dancer after high school and attended a pre-med at New York University, but dropped out when she was offered a contract with the ABC soap opera “One Life to Live”, having originally been hired for only three days work.
In “One Life,” she played Lana McClain for a little over a year, then left for “General Hospital.” “I didn’t even audition,” she told a blogger in 2010 for her work on the show.
Outside of soap operas, Zeman worked as a Playboy Bunny 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 series of TV movies, including the ABC Afterschool special “Montana Crossroads” in 1993. She also had a regular role as Sofia Madison in the crime drama series “The Bay ‘, earning her a fifth Emmy Award nomination.
Zeman Last’s appearance in “General Hospital” before her death was in April for the wedding of her character’s grandson. That same month, she also celebrated the show’s 60th anniversary by posting a video to Instagram for the fans.
“A big, heartfelt thank you to the very special people who have watched us all these years and supported us and kept us going. We love you.”
Zeman is survived by two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey from her first marriage to Glenn Gordon. She was married and divorced two more times from Steve Gribbin and disc jockey Murray Kaufman who went on to “Murray the K.”
