Jacklyn Zeman had been playing this character of Barbara since 1977, making her one of the longest-serving cast members in the history of daytime television. Zeman had also appeared in other soap operas, such as One Life to Live, The Edge of Night, and The Bold and the Beautiful.
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Early Life and Career
Zeman was interested in acting and dancing from a young age and attended the New York University School of the Arts. She also studied under the legendary choreographer Michael Bennett, who cast her in his Broadway musical A Chorus Line.
Zeman made her television debut in 1976, when she played Lana McClain on One Life to Live. She left the show after a year and joined General Hospital as Bobbie Spencer, the rebellious sister of Dr. Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary). Her character soon became a fan favorite, as she went through various trials and tribulations, such as prostitution, drug addiction, infertility, and losing her husband and son.
Zeman also had roles in other soap operas during her tenure on General Hospital. She played Carolee Aldrich on The Edge of Night from 1980 to 1981, and briefly reprised her role on One Life to Live in 1983. She also played Jackie Payne Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2003 to 2010.
Personal Life and Awards
Zeman had been married three times and had two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey. She divorced her first husband, Murray Kaufman, in 1979. She married her second husband, Steve Gribbin, in 1985 and divorced him in 1986. She married her third husband, Glenn Gordon, in 1988 and divorced him in 2007.
Zeman had received several awards and nominations for her work on General Hospital. She had been nominated for four Daytime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series (1981, 1995, 1997, and 2004). She had also won two Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Supporting Actress (1984 and 1995).
Recent Projects and Future Plans
Zeman had been still a regular cast member on General Hospital until her death, where she continued to portray Bobbie Spencer. She had also been involved in other projects outside of soap operas. In 2017, she starred in the horror film A Mermaid’s Tale. In 2018, she appeared in the comedy film Class Mom. In 2019, she hosted the reality show The Bay: The Series.
Zeman had also expressed interest in writing a memoir about her life and career. She had said that she wanted to share her stories and experiences with her fans and inspire them to never give up on their dreams.
Cause of Death
Zeman passed away at the age of 70 on May 11th, 2023 after a short battle with cancer123. Her family confirmed her death in a statement123. Producer Frank Valentini wrote on Twitter: “I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman.
Conclusion
Jacklyn Zeman is an American actress who has been entertaining audiences for over four decades. She is best known for her role as Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital, but she has also appeared in other soap operas and films. She is a talented and versatile performer who has overcome many challenges and achieved success in her field. She is a soap opera legend who deserves recognition and respect for her work.