Former General Hospital star Peter Hansen (ex-Lee Baldwin) died on Sunday in Santa Clarita, California. The actor was 95.
Though Hansen had an illustrious career that started in the early 1950s, he was arguably best known for his time in Port Charles, where he spent over 32 years playing lawyer and volunteer addiction counselor Lee. The Oakland, California, native earned a Daytime Emmy in the Outstanding Supporting Actor category in 1979 for his GH work, which he also briefly took to the ABC soap's short-lived spinoff, Port Charles.
In addition to his daytime television work, Hansen appeared in a number of popular television shows like The Goldbergs, Matlock, Cheers, Science Fiction Theater, The Golden Girls, Magnum P.I., Perry Mason, and The Lone Ranger. He also had recurring roles on Gomer Pyle: USMC and How the West Was Won.
Hansen's wife, Betty, died in 1993. The actor is survived by son Peter, daughter Gretchen, and grandchildren Allison, Erik, and Jamal.
Shortly after the news of Hansen's death broke, GH's official Twitter handle wrote: "Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Hansen's family and friends. He will forever be a part of the #GH legacy."
Our thoughts and prayers go out to Peter Hansen's family and friends. He will forever be a part of the #GH legacy. #RIP
— General Hospital (@GeneralHospital) April 11, 2017
Kin Shriner (Scott Baldwin) also took a moment to reflect on his costar's passing, noting that he will miss their talks but cherish the many memories they shared.
RIP Peter Hansen. I will miss our talks, but me and @GeneralHospital fans have so many great memory's of u ! pic.twitter.com/mnhQ1lUbJu
— Kin (@kinshriner) April 11, 2017
Wally Kurth (Ned Ashton) expressed sorrow. "We lost a good one," he shared on Twitter. "A wonderful actor. A lovely man."
Ohhh, I'm so sad to hear this. We lost a good one. A wonderful actor. A lovely man. Rest In Peace Peter. ?? https://t.co/hR5hKtGGxj
— Wally Kurth (@wallykurth) April 11, 2017
Even former GH star John Stamos (ex-Blackie Parrish) took time out to post a comment on Hansen's death, commenting simply "what a gentleman."
RIP Peter, what a gentleman. #GH #Blackie #Jailbird https://t.co/psaXVWztJk
— John Stamos (@JohnStamos) April 11, 2017
What are some of your favorite memories from Hansen's time in Port Charles? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
