LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Legendary opera star Jacklyn Zeman’s cause of death has been released after she tragically died at the age of 70. The actress, who portrayed the role of nurse Barbara "Bobbie" Spencer in ‘General Hospital’ for 45 years, passed away on Wednesday, May 10, according to reports. Zeman is survived by daughters Cassidy Zee Gorden and Lacey Rose Gorden.
Now, Zeman’s family has revealed that she died after a brief battle with cancer, as per ABC News. Frank Valentini, the executive producer of ‘General Hospital’, initially announced Zeman’s death on Twitter, writing, "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. 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."
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Jacklyn Zeman: 5 unknown facts about 'General Hospital' actress who died at 70
Jacklyn Zeman’s early life and ‘The General Hospital’
On March 6, 1953, the ‘Bay’ star was born in Englewood, New Jersey to Richard S Zeman and Rita Zeman-Rohlman, who was a magazine supervisor. She started classical ballet instruction at the age of 5, graduated from high school at 15, and then received a scholarship to study dance at New York University. Zeman also briefly worked as a Playboy Bunny in a Playboy Club in 1972 before turning her career steering to acting, according to Daily Mail. She initially had small roles in ‘The Edge of the Night’ and ‘The Day That Music Died’ before winning her first major soap opera role on ‘One Life to Live’ which took her career sky high.
In ‘One Life to Live’, Zeman portrayed the role of Lana McLain in 49 episodes and then went on to play Bobbie Spencer's role on General Hospital in 1977. She appeared in 880 episodes of the soap opera and appeared on a regular basis until 2010. For her depiction of Bobbie Spencer, she was nominated for four Daytime Emmys—three in the supporting actress category and one in the lead actress category. Additionally, she had guest appearances on ‘Sledge Hammer’ and ‘Chicago Hope’. Most recently, she portrayed Sofia Madison in ‘The Bay’.
'Her talent, her joy, her very presence, and essence will be missed'
Zeman’s tragic death came as a shock to many of her co-stars, who paid her a moving tribute with emotional posts. Film producer Debbie Lynn Elias remembered her saying, “What a shock. Such heartbreaking news. My deepest sympathies to Jackie's children and friends and to her GH family. Jackie is as much of an institution as @GeneralHospital itself. Her talent, her joy, her very presence, and her essence will be missed. Rest in Peace, Jackie.” Actress Brooke Lewis Bellas said, “I am heartbroken by this news💔 #JackieZeman was an #Icon & and an Inspiration to us forever #SoapOpera fanatics📺❤️ Goodnight #BobbieSpencer 🙌 May you #RestInPeace 🙏❤️😇.”
Rick Springfield, who portrayed Dr Noah Drake on ‘General Hospital’, remembered Zeman as someone who had “only sweet things to say about everyone”. “Such a truly kind soul with no touch of the diva and only sweet things to say about everyone. She was the one (along with Gloria Monty) who helped launch my 80s career when after the screen test along with several other hopeful young men Gloria asked Jackie who she thought would make a good Noah Drake and God bless her if Jackie didn't say me,” he told People.