Jacklyn Zeman, longtime ‘Common Hospital’ forged member who performed nurse Bobbie Spencer, dies at 70

Jacklyn Zeman, who turned some of the recognizable actors on daytime tv throughout 45 years of enjoying nurse Bobbie Spencer on ABC’s “Common Hospital,” has died. She was 70.

Zeman died of most cancers, her household confirmed Wednesday. Information of her dying was first introduced by the present’s govt producer, Frank Valentini.

“I’m heartbroken to announce the passing of our beloved Jackie Zeman,” he wrote on Twitter. “Identical to her character, the legendary Bobbie Spencer, she was a brilliant gentle and a real skilled that introduced a lot constructive vitality along with her work.”

ABC Leisure and “Common Hospital” additionally launched a press release saying Zeman “leaves behind a long-lasting legacy for her Emmy-nominated portrayal of the dangerous lady turned heroine and can at all times be remembered for her sort coronary heart and radiant spirit. We’re devastated by the information of her passing, and ship our deepest condolences to Jackie’s household, pals and family members.”

Zeman joined “Common Hospital” in 1977 as Barbara Jean, who glided by Bobbie, and was the feisty youthful sister of Anthony Geary’s Luke Spencer. Zeman grew to treat Geary as household off digicam. “I’m most likely nearer to him than I’d be a real-life brother,” she advised co-star Maurice Benard final yr on his YouTube collection “State of Thoughts.”

Bobbie had labored as a teen prostitute and given up a child for adoption however had managed to show her life round and change into a nurse at Common Hospital. Zeman’s portrayal of Spencer was a spirited, upbeat girl who was as candy as pie however who additionally had a way of self. She didn’t endure fools and had no downside revoking the niceties if warranted.

“Bobbie has been an interesting individual for me to play,” she stated in an interview in 1982. “I get to do … all of the issues that the majority ladies take into consideration however wouldn’t dare.”

Certainly one of Zeman’s most memorable scenes was in 1994, when Bobbie’s daughter B.J. was in a college bus accident that left her mind lifeless. Bobbie and then-husband Tony (performed by Brad Maule) made the choice to donate their daughter’s coronary heart to her cousin, Maxie, who had Kawasaki illness.

Laura Wright, who performs Bobbie’s daughter Carly Spencer, posted to Instagram Thursday, “I am so grateful to have shared so a few years with this lovely girl. Jackie advised one of the best tales – she had an INCREDIBLE spirit and he or she lived such a tremendous life… saying she might be missed is an understatement.”

Benard, who performs mobster Sonny Corinthos, posted, “This hit me actually arduous. A intestine punch. I believe as a result of Jackie was such a candy, delicate soul.” Jon Lindstrom, who performs Kevin Collins described Zeman as a “life pressure” in a tweet.

Zeman’s dying is the third dying to hit the “Common Hospital” forged and crew in six months. Solid member Sonya Eddy died in December from issues of an emergency surgical procedure and beloved producer Nneka Garland died immediately in April.

Born March 6, 1953, in Englewood, New Jersey, Zeman found a love for dance as a baby, and as a teen started appearing in class productions. She labored in Venezuela as a dancer after highschool and was pre-med at New York College however dropped out when she was provided a contract on the ABC cleaning soap “One Life to Dwell” after initially being employed for simply three days of labor.

On “One Life,” she performed Lana McClain for a little bit multiple yr after which left for “Common Hospital.” “I didn’t even audition,” she advised a blogger in 2010. Zeman was nominated for 4 Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on the present.

Exterior cleaning soap operas, Zeman labored as a Playboy Bunny to assist pay for school and in addition acted in commercials. She had a task in 1982’s “Nationwide Lampoon’s Class Reunion” and appeared in a string of TV films, together with the ABC Afterschool Particular “Montana Crossroads” in 1993. She additionally had a collection common function as Sofia Madison within the crime drama collection “The Bay,” incomes her a fifth Emmy Award nomination.

Zeman final’s look on “Common Hospital” was in April for the marriage of her character’s grandson. The identical month, she additionally celebrated the present’s sixtieth anniversary by posting a video on Instagram to followers.

“An amazing, massive heartfelt thanks to the very particular individuals who have been watching us and supporting us and maintaining us on the air all these years. We love you.”

She was married and divorced thrice, first to Glenn Gordon and later to Steve Gribbin and disc jockey Murray “Murray the Ok” Kaufman. Zeman’s survivors embody two daughters, Cassidy and Lacey, from her marriage to Gordon.