Jacklyn Zeman (GH's Bobbie Spencer) 1953 - 2023 - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

Zoneboy · 05-10-2023, 11:17 PM

https://extratv.com/2023/05/10/jackl...on-dies-at-70/

Jacklyn Zeman, a beloved staple of the "General Hospital" cast since the '70s, died Wednesday, less than two months after turning 70.

Her surprising death was announced by "General Hospital's" executive producer Frank Valenti, who tweeted, "On behalf of our 'General Hospital' family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman. 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."

The show's official account posted, "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."

Zeman was born March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey. After studying dance at NYU, she was a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Club in 1972 and appeared in a non-sexual bit part in the porn film "Deep Throat Part II" (1977).

Her first TV roles were on the soaps "The Edge of Night" (1976) and "One Life to Live" (1976-1977) before being cast as Bobbie Spencer, a nurse, on "General Hospital" in 1977. It was a part she would go on to play for 46 years, winning four Daytime Emmys along the way (1981, 1995, 1997 and 1998).

Her character started out as a schemer, had a fling with Rick Springfield's character, became a mom who must deal with her daughter's death, and wound up making Bobbie someone every viewer rooted for and identified with.

Some of her film work included a cameo in "Young Doctors in Love" (1982) and a part in "Class Reunion" (1982), and her other longest job was on the TV series "The Bay" (2010-2022).

Zeman was married and divorced three times. Her first marriage was to the late DJ Murray the K, with whom she appeared in the 1977 documentary "The Day the Music Died."

She is survived by her two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, with her third husband, Glenn Gorden.

80sTrivia · 05-11-2023, 05:53 AM

I was shocked to wake up to this news in my twitter feed. Jackie was certainly a legend in the daytime tv industry and she will most definitely be missed...

TMC · 12-21-2023, 09:29 PM

General Hospital to pay tribute to the late Jacklyn Zeman and her character Bobbie Spencer

Zeman, who died in May at age 70, will be honored as her beloved Bobbie Spencer character is put to rest the week of Jan. 10.

JamesG · 12-24-2024, 12:21 AM

"The Bay" to Honor Jacklyn Zeman with Special Episode
by Lynette Rice
December 23, 2024

"The Bay" will pay tribute to daytime TV legend Jacklyn Zeman in a special episode set for December 27 on PopStar! TV. Zeman played Sofia Madison on the series for eight seasons, prior to her passing in 2023 at the age of 70.

The special episode will air live at 5p ET / 2p PT on December 27 with encore presentations at 10p ET / 7p PT and again at 1a ET / 10p PT on PopStar! TV.

The episode titled “Sofia” will feature several special guest stars including Dee Wallace as Sofia’s sister Charlotte Grace and two of Zeman’s former GH castmates Tamara Braun and Leigh McCloskey as important characters who show up in Bay City.

The special words written to describe Zeman’s character in the episode were written by Zeman’s real-life daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose.

“It was an honor for us to have Jackie’s daughters Lacey Rose and Cassidy contribute beautiful words to describe their mother that we implemented into our script and will play on screen this Friday,” said Creator Gregori J. Martin in a statement.

Martin also thanks "Beyond the Gates" Executive Producer and Creator Michele Van Jean for suggesting the name of Tamara Braun’s character, Rita Elise Kennedy, as it symbolizes several important relatives to Zeman.

https://deadline.com/2024/12/the-bay...ar-1236240962/

TMC · 08-14-2025, 07:07 PM

You could argue that Jackie Zeman’s Bobbie Spencer saved General Hospital in 1978. The Bobbie/Scotty/Laura triangle pushed the show to 3rd place. Anthony Geary was brought in to take some of the heat from Jackie Zeman, who was inundated with hate mail for breaking up the Laura/Scotty relationship.

05-10-2023, 11:17 PM	#1
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,338	Jacklyn Zeman (GH's Bobbie Spencer) 1953 - 2023 https://extratv.com/2023/05/10/jackl...on-dies-at-70/ Jacklyn Zeman, a beloved staple of the "General Hospital" cast since the '70s, died Wednesday, less than two months after turning 70. Her surprising death was announced by "General Hospital's" executive producer Frank Valenti, who tweeted, "On behalf of our 'General Hospital' family, I am heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman. 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." The show's official account posted, "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." Zeman was born March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey. After studying dance at NYU, she was a Playboy Bunny at the Playboy Club in 1972 and appeared in a non-sexual bit part in the porn film "Deep Throat Part II" (1977). Her first TV roles were on the soaps "The Edge of Night" (1976) and "One Life to Live" (1976-1977) before being cast as Bobbie Spencer, a nurse, on "General Hospital" in 1977. It was a part she would go on to play for 46 years, winning four Daytime Emmys along the way (1981, 1995, 1997 and 1998). Her character started out as a schemer, had a fling with Rick Springfield's character, became a mom who must deal with her daughter's death, and wound up making Bobbie someone every viewer rooted for and identified with. Some of her film work included a cameo in "Young Doctors in Love" (1982) and a part in "Class Reunion" (1982), and her other longest job was on the TV series "The Bay" (2010-2022). Zeman was married and divorced three times. Her first marriage was to the late DJ Murray the K, with whom she appeared in the 1977 documentary "The Day the Music Died." She is survived by her two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, with her third husband, Glenn Gorden.
	Last edited by Zoneboy; 05-11-2023 at 12:23 AM.

05-11-2023, 05:53 AM	#2
80sTrivia Member Forum Celebrity Join Date: May 23, 2002 Posts: 21,715	I was shocked to wake up to this news in my twitter feed. Jackie was certainly a legend in the daytime tv industry and she will most definitely be missed...
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12-21-2023, 09:29 PM	#3
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	General Hospital to pay tribute to the late Jacklyn Zeman and her character Bobbie Spencer Zeman, who died in May at age 70, will be honored as her beloved Bobbie Spencer character is put to rest the week of Jan. 10.

12-24-2024, 12:21 AM	#4
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,951	*"The Bay" to Honor Jacklyn Zeman with Special Episode* by Lynette Rice December 23, 2024 "The Bay" will pay tribute to daytime TV legend Jacklyn Zeman in a special episode set for December 27 on PopStar! TV. Zeman played Sofia Madison on the series for eight seasons, prior to her passing in 2023 at the age of 70. The special episode will air live at 5p ET / 2p PT on December 27 with encore presentations at 10p ET / 7p PT and again at 1a ET / 10p PT on PopStar! TV. The episode titled “Sofia” will feature several special guest stars including Dee Wallace as Sofia’s sister Charlotte Grace and two of Zeman’s former GH castmates Tamara Braun and Leigh McCloskey as important characters who show up in Bay City. The special words written to describe Zeman’s character in the episode were written by Zeman’s real-life daughters, Cassidy and Lacey Rose. “It was an honor for us to have Jackie’s daughters Lacey Rose and Cassidy contribute beautiful words to describe their mother that we implemented into our script and will play on screen this Friday,” said Creator Gregori J. Martin in a statement. Martin also thanks "Beyond the Gates" Executive Producer and Creator Michele Van Jean for suggesting the name of Tamara Braun’s character, Rita Elise Kennedy, as it symbolizes several important relatives to Zeman. https://deadline.com/2024/12/the-bay...ar-1236240962/

08-14-2025, 07:07 PM	#5
TMC Member Forum Idol Join Date: Jan 09, 2001 Posts: 124,387	You could argue that Jackie Zeman’s Bobbie Spencer saved General Hospital in 1978. The Bobbie/Scotty/Laura triangle pushed the show to 3rd place. Anthony Geary was brought in to take some of the heat from Jackie Zeman, who was inundated with hate mail for breaking up the Laura/Scotty relationship.