ISLAMABAD, May 11th (Online): Actress Jacklyn Zeman, who played Barbara
âBobbieâ Spencer across more than 800 episodes of âGeneral Hospitalâ, passed away aged 70.
Zemanâs death was announced by âGeneral Hospitalâ executive producer Frank Valentini on Twitter on Wednesday evening, reports âVarietyâ.
âOn behalf of our âGeneral Hospitalâ family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,â Valentini wrote.
âJust 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.â
âJackie will be greatly missed, but her positive spirit will always live on with our cast and crew,â Valentini continued.
âWe send our heartfelt sympathy to her loved ones, friends and family, especially her daughters Cassidy and Lacey.â
The soapâs production also released a statement on Zemanâs death.
âJacklyn Zeman has been a beloved member of the âGeneral Hospitalâ and ABC family since she originated the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer over 45 years ago,â it reads.
âShe 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 Jackieâs family, friends and loved ones.â
Born in New Jersey on March 6, 1953, Zeman studied ballet as a child and attended New York University to study dance, but she shifted to acting with her first credit coming on âThe Edge of Nightâ in 1976. In the same year, she received a lengthy arc on âOne Life to Live,â appearing in more than 40 episodes.
She joined âGeneral Hospitalâ in 1977 and has since appeared in more than 800 episodes over nearly 50 years. She played Bobbie Spencer, the sister to Pat Spencer (Dee Wallace) and Luke Spencer Sr. (Anthony Geary).
Zeman is survived by her two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey.
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