Lee Lawson dead at 81: Guiding Light star remembered as ‘down-to-earth, sassy, smart and beautiful friend’

GUIDING Light actress Lee Lawson has died at the age of 81.

The soap opera alum, who played Bea Reardon on the series, passed away on Sunday.

Actress Marian Hailey-Moss shared the sad news of Lee’s death on her Facebook on Monday.

She wrote: “My down-to-earth, sassy smart and beautiful friend LEE LAWSON is telling it like it is in a better place. 

“A fine actress and a super generous friend. I'll meetcha there LEE!! 1941-2022”

Lee had three children – daughters Leslie and Gabriella Bova and son Christopher Boal.

Leslie mourned the loss of her mother with a social media tribute post on Tuesday.

“My Mother died,” she wrote. “May 22, 2022.” 

She continued: Thank you for having Chris, Me and Gaby so that we could have Gianna, Wilder and Sterling. 

“We love you. You fought Cancer and COVID-19 like a champ. 

“Rest, you brilliant, woman. Thank you, mom. R.I.P.”

Lee's daughter added: "Cancer sucks."

Born in New York City on October 14, 1941, Lee got her acting start when she was in her early 20s.

Her first onscreen gig was with the long-running CBS soap opera, Love of Life.

The show ran from 1951 to 1980, and Lee held the role of Barbara Sterling for about 30 episodes in 1965.

After Lee’s run on her first soap, she went on to have guest roles on shows like Maude and Kojak.

She had a small role on ABC’s One Life to Live in 1979, before landing her biggest TV gig a couple of years later.

In 1981, Lee began her time on beloved soap Guiding Light.

She starred as Bea Reardon on the daytime program until 1990.

Her final two acting credits arrived in 1991, with an episode each of Equal Justice and Reasonable Doubts.

Lee’s passing comes just a few weeks after the death of fellow Guiding Light alum, Jerry verDorn.

He died at the age of 72 after a months-long battle with cancer.

The actor had a 26-year run as attorney Ross Marler on the famous soap opera, from 1979 to 2005.

Just a few months ago, Guiding Light lost another former cast member, Lisa Brown, who had portrayed Lee's onscreen daughter, Nola Reardon.

She died at the age of 67 after reportedly battling a short illness.