Anne Jeffreys, star of ‘General Hospital’ and Broadway’s ‘Kiss Me Kate,’ dies at 94

Anne Jeffreys, an actress who played Tess Truehart in the early “Dick Tracy” serials, starred in the fantasy sitcom “Topper” and spent two decades on “General Hospital,” has died. She was 94.

Entertainment reporter for Los Angeles’ KABC George Pennacchio was one of the first to tweet the news on Wednesday night. Others followed, including multiple friends on Facebook who confirmed the news. Details of her death were not widely available.

Jeffreys, who was born in Goldsboro, N.C., in 1923, got her start in entertainment as a teenager, beginning as a junior model and studying to eventually perform in the opera.

She eventually made her way into other stage musicals on Broadway.

Jeffreys had a long career on the stage, with starring roles in the 1948 Cole Porter musical “Kiss Me Kate” on Broadway as well as “Three Wishes for Jamie,” “Carousel” and “Camelot.”

The Pantages Theatre in Hollywood posted a message on Facebook in honor of her passing.

She appeared in multiple movies and TV shows throughout her career, including episode of “Love, American Style,” “Murder She Wrote,” “Finder of Lost Loves” and “Baywatch.” However, her longest-running role was in the ABC soap opera “General Hospital” and its spinoff “Port Charles,” in which she played the snobby, wealthy socialite Amanda Barrington over the course of 20 years.

Jeffreys was married to the actor Robert Sterling from 1951 until his death in 2006. The two starred together as a couple that had been killed in an avalanche, but continued on to haunt the new owner of their home, in the sitcom “Topper.” They had three sons.

According to her official website, the actress lived a busy and full life. “My life has been a full, happy and active on; and I hope I’ll always be as busy as a blind dog in a meat shop. I thrive on activity,” she said.