ABC’s daytime soap opera General Hospital is mourning the loss of actress Jacklyn Zeman, who played the character Bobbie Spencer on the show. Zeman died at the age of 70.
Executive producer Frank Valentini shared his condolences on Twitter on May 10, expressing his heartbreak and describing Zeman as a beloved member of the General Hospital family. He praised her professionalism and positive energy on set, much like her legendary character Bobbie Spencer who was known for being a bright light.
“On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved @JackieZeman,” Valentini Tweeted. “Just like her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a bright light and true professional that brought so much positive energy with her to work.”
He added, “Jackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew. We send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends, and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey.”
Jacklyn Zeman started her career in the entertainment industry as a dancer but later transitioned to acting after landing a role in “The Edge of Night.” She also appeared in over 40 episodes of “One Life to Live” before joining the cast of “General Hospital,” where she played the iconic character Bobbie Spencer for almost five decades. Her outstanding performance in the show earned her multiple Daytime Emmy awards.
Zeman’s cause of death has not been disclosed yet, but her passing has already received an outpouring of sympathy from her colleagues and fans.
Jacklyn Zeman Honored By Fans and Industry Friends
Jacklyn Zeman has received heartfelt tributes from her fans and friends in the soap opera industry. Rick Springfield, who co-starred with her on “General Hospital” in the 1980s, expressed his gratitude for Zeman’s support in his career. He described her as a kind and humble person who always had something positive to say about everyone. According to Springfield, Zeman and Gloria Monty played a significant role in launching his career in the 80s.
Fans of Jacklyn Zeman have been expressing their fond memories of watching her on General Hospital over the years. One fan shared how Bobbie Spencer, the character Zeman portrayed, had a significant impact on their adolescence and evolved into a legacy character that will be remembered for ages. Another fan described Zeman as a daytime legend who gave a remarkable performance as a memorable character that spanned decades and had a huge impact on the show.
Jacklyn Zeman took great pride in her work as a soap opera star and cherished the connection she had with her viewers. In a 2017 interview with TV Insider, Zeman emphasized the importance of her character’s storylines and the impact they had on her fans. She revealed that many people had approached her on the street to share how her character’s experiences had resonated with them and helped them get through difficult times.
While Zeman acknowledged that soap operas are primarily a form of entertainment, she also believed that they can be relevant and meaningful to people’s lives. She was proud of the strong connection that “GH” had with its viewers and saw her role in the show as a valuable and fulfilling one.