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Jacklyn Zeman, the beloved actress who brought Barbara Jean ‘Bobbie’ Spencer to life on General Hospital for 45 years has passed away at age 70 after a short battle with cancer.
General Hospital Spoilers – Jacklyn Zeman Was Beloved
Zeman was born on March 6, 1953, in Englewood, NJ, and grew up not far away in Bergenfield. Ballet was her passion as a child and that passion earned her a dance scholarship to New York University. While in New York City, Zeman became a Playboy Bunny at the tender age of 18 before beginning her soap career in the 1970s on The Edge of Night and One Life to Live.
However, it was her role as young nursing student Bobbie that put her on the daytime map in 1977. Zeman played Bobbie for the next four-and-a-half decades and her last appearance on the soap before her death came at Willow and Michael’s wedding, as Bobbie was the grandmother of the groom.
GH Spoilers – Pays Tribute To Jacklyn Zeman
It was GH Executive Producer Frank Valentini who broke the news to the world late at night on May 10 with a tweet:
“On behalf of our @GeneralHospital family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved @JackieZeman. 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 wrote. ” 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.”
GH Spoilers Friday, May 12: Difficult Truths, Difficult Cases, Difficult Choices #GeneralHospital #Spoilers #GeneralHospitalepisode https://t.co/KDI8EsLqLE pic.twitter.com/9gBiZT0lZi
— SOS/CTS/HH (@SoapOperaSpy) May 11, 2023
Soon after, the official GH account shared the news.
“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.”
In recent years, Zeman expanded her soap life and appeared on the digital soap opera The Bay. Through the years, she also had roles in feature films like The Day the Music Died and Young Doctors in Love. She also made primetime appearances on The New Mike Hammer and Chicago Hope. Zeman is survived by two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, as well as two grandchildren, Kennedy and Decker.