Sad news in the acting world as Joan Benedict Steiger has passed away at the age of 96. A family spokesperson confirmed the actress died at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles this past June 24. Her cause of death was complications from a stroke.
“General Hospital” Star Joan Benedict’s Legacy
Benedict initially studied dance but changed her career direction to acting. She started in the 1950s by appearing on series like Candid Camera and The Steve Allen Show.
Roles on Fantasy Island and The Incredible Hulk followed, and Benedict also appeared in films, working on movies like Perfect Victims and The Happy Hooker Goes to Washington.
When it came to the land of soap operas, Benedict made an impact. She had recurring and regular roles on Days of Our Lives (DOOL), as well as the Capitol, and General Hospital (GH). She played the character Edith Fairchild on GH. Benedict’s last appearance was in the 2017 flick, Opus of an Angel.
“General Hospital” Star Joan Benedict’s Personal Life
The actress was married to John Myhers for three decades. After her first husband’s passing in 1992, she connected back up with fellow actor Rod Steiger, whom she had first known as a teen.
The two would marry in 2002; however, sadly, Rod passed away in 2002. Benedict began a relationship with Jeremy Slate after her second husband passed away. Unfortunately, Jeremey ended up passing in 2006.
In 2016, the actress told Women Fitness that both her husbands and life partner, Jeremy, were “wonderful men”, who respected her as an actress.
She added that they all died from different forms of cancer, so her memories are, at times, bittersweet; however, she also relayed she had “no regrets”.
Benedict leaves behind a daughter, Claudia, as well as two granddaughters Ashley and Hanna.
