Legendary actress Anne Jeffreys, who played General Hospital's Amanda Barrington for over two decades, has died. She was 94.
The vivacious actress, model, and singer got her start in the entertainment business at a young age. She was a member of the New York Municipal Opera Company and sang in several productions at Carnegie Hall before signing with the John Robert Powers agency as a junior model. She then went on to star in a slew of films including I Married An Angel opposite Nelson Eddy and Jeanette MacDonald, the 1944 Frank Sinatra musical Step Lively, and as Tess Trueheart in the Dick Tracy series.
When the North Carolina native's film career faltered, she moved her focus to the stage and starred in several Broadway productions including Kiss Me, Kate; Street Scene; and Three Wishes For Jamie. However, she made plenty of time for television appearances, as well. In fact, her most notable role is in the CBS sitcom Topper, where she was billed as "the ghostess with the mostest."
Jeffreys continued to appear on television throughout the latter part of the century in series like Wagon Train; L.A. Law; Murder, She Wrote; Battlestar Galactica; and the primetime soap Falcon Crest (as Amanda Croft).
Perhaps it was her time on Falcon Crest that prompted Jeffreys to pursue a career in daytime fairly late in her career. The actress took on the role of wealthy socialite Amanda Barrington in 1984 and appeared on a recurring basis until 2004. One of her most notable storylines is a blackmail scheme that led to the murder of Jimmy Lee Holt's mother, Beatrice. She also briefly appeared on GH's sister soap, Port Charles, as a vampire. Jeffrey's final appearance on GH was in 2004 when Amanda attended the funeral of her friend, Lila Quartermaine. In 2013, it was revealed that Amanda had passed away a few years earlier.
Jeffreys, who has a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame at 1501 Vine Street, married actor Robert Sterling in 1951 and worked with him on several occasions, including on Topper and in Love That Jill. The couple had three sons together: Jeffrey, Dana, and Tyler. Mr. Sterling died in 2006 at the age of 88.
"God bless the beautiful and talented Anne Jeffreys," tweeted former castmate Jacklyn Zeman (Bobbie) "RIP. We will always remember you with love and appreciation."
God Bless the beautiful + talented #AnneJeffreys RIP We will always remember you with love + appreciation #GH @GeneralHospital
- Jackie Zeman (@JackieZeman) September 28, 2017
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