US soap star Joan Benedict Steiger from General Hospital and Days of Our Lives dies aged 96

Joan Benedict Steiger, who was known for her roles in General Hospital and Days of Our Lives, passed away on June 24 but her death has only now been announced.

Benedict Steiger, a renowned actress best known for her role as Edith Fairchild in the US daytime drama General Hospital, also starred in other soaps such as Days of Our Lives and Capitol. But she also had comedy turns in Candid Camera and The Steve Allen Show, as well as taking roles in The Incredible Hulk, Apple’s Way and Fantasy Island.

Her first marriage was to the actor John Myhers, known for How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying - they were married from 1962 until Myhers' death in 1992.

Benedict Steiger is also the widow of the Academy Award-winning actor Rod Steiger, having married him in 2000. They appeared in two films together, A Month of Sundays and the telefilm The Flying Dutchman. After Rod died in 2002, Benedict Steiger's partner was Jeremy Slate, a acting veteran, until his death in 2006.

She died of stroke-related complications at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to a family spokesperson