Born To Be An Actress And Artist

Denise Alexander was born on November 11, 1939, in New York City, New York. Her father, Alec Alexander, was an agent of such notable talent as Frank Gorshin and Sal Mineo and made the move from the East Coast to the West Coast. She knew from an early age that she wanted to be an actress and began her career at age 12 on the TV series Armstrong Circle Theatre. Steady TV and Radio work followed.

Her younger years were marked with multiple appearances on classic television shows such as The Philco Television Playhouse, Kraft Theatre, Robert Montgomery Presents, The Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn, Father Knows Best, The Life of Riley, The Walter Winchell File, Westinghouse Desilu Playhouse, and The Danny Thomas Show.

Alexander graduated to more mature roles close to her twentieth birthday in 1959 with roles on The Ann Sothern Show, The Twilight Zone, The Loretta Young Show, The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis, The Blue Angels, The Detectives, The Barbara Stanwyck, Angel, Sea Hunt, and Ben Casey.

In 1960, the actress added her first foray in a daytime drama with the role of Lois Adams on The Clear Horizon. In 1962, she would play Kathy in a pilot titled Emergency Hospital. It would later be reworked and debut as General Hospital the following year. Alexander would take on roles on daytime serials such as Susan Hunter Martin on Days of our Lives, Mary McKinnon on Another World, and Sister Beatrice on Sunset Beach. 

In 1965, she returned to GH as Lorne Hill for two episodes. It was in 1973 that she landed the role that she would be best known for: Dr. Lesley Webber on GH. She has played this role off and on.

Dr. Lesley Webber, both the character and the actress who portrayed her, soon stole fans’ hearts and would become a part of daytime history as Laura Webber’s (Genie Francis) mom. Whether she was pining for Dr. Rick Webber (Chris Robinson), fighting with Dr. Monica Quartermaine (Leslie Charleson), kept in a drugged state by Stefan Cassadine (then played by Stephen Nichols), poisoned by Heather Webber (played by Robin Mattson), or just advising her daughter Laura through all of the Spencer family chaos, Lesley held fans’ rapt attention.

The 60s found Alexander meeting and marrying her lifetime partner, director Richard A. Colla, and being a stepmother to his daughter Elizabeth. She dabbled in photography and is a published photojournalist. But acting was still her passion.

The actress continued amassing more acting credits adding films such as That Funny Feeling, Diamond Jim: Skullduggery in Samantha, The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case, The Shaft of Love, and Zoya. Alexander added more television credits such as Stoney Burke, The Virginian, Combat!, This is the Life, Hotel, The Inn, and Pretty the Series.

Denise Alexander left a legacy of great work for fans to enjoy and will always be a part of daytime history. Soap Hub sends its sincere condolences to her daughter Elizabeth, her co-stars, friends, and fans.