Jackie Zeman, the actress who played the iconic role of Bobbie Spencer on the ABC soap opera General Hospital for over 45 years, passed away on Wednesday, May 10, 2023, at the age of 70. Her death came as a shock to many fans and colleagues who loved and admired her. But what was Jackie Zeman’s cause of death? How did she die? And what legacy did she leave behind? In this article, we will try to answer these questions and pay tribute to the legendary actress.
Contents
Jackie Zeman’s cause of death: A short battle with cancer
According to ABC News, Jackie Zeman’s family disclosed that their beloved Jackie battled cancer. Sadly, her fight against this disease was short and her death came as a surprise to so many. The family did not reveal the type or stage of cancer that Jackie had, nor the details of her treatment. They only said that she died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her loved ones.
Jackie Zeman’s death was announced late Wednesday by General Hospital executive producer Frank Valentini, who tweeted, “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.”
The ABC daytime soap opera also released a statement following the news of her death, stating, “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. We are devastated by the news of her passing, and send our deepest condolences to Jackie’s family, friends and loved ones.”
Jackie Zeman’s career: A star of General Hospital and beyond
Jackie Zeman was born on March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey. She started her acting career in the early 1970s, appearing in various commercials, movies and TV shows. She landed her breakthrough role in 1977, when she joined the cast of General Hospital as Barbara “Bobbie” Spencer, the sister of Luke Spencer (played by Anthony Geary). She quickly became a fan favorite, as her character evolved from a scheming nurse to a loving mother, grandmother and friend. She was involved in many memorable storylines, such as the love triangle with Scotty Baldwin (Kin Shriner) and Laura Webber (Genie Francis), the adoption of her son Lucas (Ryan Carnes), the rivalry with Carly Corinthos (Laura Wright), and the romance with Damian Spinelli (Bradford Anderson). She also shared a close bond with her on-screen brother Luke, who often called her “Barbara Jean”. She was nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards for her role as Bobbie, in 1981, 1995, 1997 and 2004.
Jackie Zeman also had several other acting credits to her name, such as The Bay, One Life to Live, National Lampoon’s Class Reunion, Jury Duty: The Comedy, and many more titles. She also appeared as a guest star on shows like The Love Boat, CHiPs, The Edge of Night, and Married… with Children. She was also a host of the home improvement show Home & Family on the Hallmark Channel from 2012 to 2013.
Jackie Zeman’s personal life: A devoted mother and a philanthropist
Jackie Zeman was married three times in her life. Her first husband was Murray Kaufman, a disc jockey known as Murray the K, whom she married in 1979 and divorced in 1981. Her second husband was Steve Gribbin, a contractor, whom she married in 1985 and divorced in 1986. Her third and last husband was Glenn Gordon, a producer, whom she married in 1988 and divorced in 2007. She had two daughters with Gordon, Cassidy and Lacey, who were born in 1990 and 1992, respectively. She was very proud of her daughters and often posted pictures of them on her social media accounts.
Jackie Zeman was also a philanthropist who supported various causes and charities, such as the American Cancer Society, the Make-A-Wish Foundation, the Starlight Children’s Foundation, and the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation. She was also an animal lover who advocated for animal rights and welfare.
Jackie Zeman’s legacy: A tribute from fans and colleagues
Jackie Zeman’s death was met with an outpouring of grief and love from her fans and colleagues, who shared their memories and condolences on social media. Many of them praised her talent, kindness, generosity and beauty, and thanked her for her contribution to the soap opera genre and the entertainment industry. Some of them also posted photos and videos of her best moments on General Hospital and other projects.
Some of the celebrities who paid tribute to Jackie Zeman included John Stamos, who played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, Rick Springfield, who played Dr. Noah Drake on General Hospital, Genie Francis, who played Laura Webber on General Hospital, Kin Shriner, who played Scotty Baldwin on General Hospital, Bradford Anderson, who played Damian Spinelli on General Hospital, Nancy Lee Grahn, who played Alexis Davis on General Hospital, Maurice Benard, who played Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital, and many more.
Jackie Zeman was a legend of General Hospital and a star of the daytime television. She touched the lives of millions of viewers with her portrayal of Bobbie Spencer, and inspired many aspiring actors and actresses with her passion and professionalism. She was a loving mother, a loyal friend, and a generous soul. She will be greatly missed, but her legacy will live on forever. Rest in peace, Jackie Zeman.
