Maurice Benard Shares ‘AMC’ Star’s Dementia Diagnosis

Maurice Benard shared heartbreaking and horrific news. The General Hospital star announced that one of his co-stars from All My Children was recently diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Alzheimer’s is a form of dementia. This former co-star of his is Lee Meriweather.

Who Is Lee Meriweather?

Lee Meriweather is a talented actress who has starred in all sorts of hit television shows. She is perhaps most famous for her role as Ruth Martin on ABC’s hit soap opera, All My Children. Maurice Benard was a castmate of Meriweather’s on AMC all those many years ago. She was also Miss America in 1955.

In addition to starring in All My Children, Lee Meriweather also starred in The Courtship Of Eddie’s Father and Barnaby Jones. She appeared in the hit television show The Munsters. Lee Meriweather was almost as famous for her role as Catwoman in Batman as she was for her starring role in All My Children.

Maurice Benard Makes The Announcement On State of Mind

The announcement of Lee Meriweather’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis was made on Maurice Benard’s show, State of Mind. Kyle Oldham, the daughter of Lee Meriweather, had appeared on Benard’s show previously. She never had to share such sad news before.

At the time of publication, it was unknown how long ago Lee Meriweather was diagnosed Alzheimer’s. Kyle Oldham did not give any information as to what stage of the disease her mother was currently at.

More Sad News From Maurice Benard

As if the horrific news of Lee Meriweather having Alzheimer’s was enough bad news, Maurice Benard had more horrible news to share on his television show. During the same interview Kyle Oldham told him about her mother’s diagnosis, she also revealed her own diagnosis. Kyle Oldham was also diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. Both mother and daughter are suffering from the same form of dementia at the same time.

Kyle Oldham, like her mother, is also an actress. Many may remember her from her 14-year stint on The Price Is Right. She was forced to quit working on The Price Is Right after having multiple surgeries as an adult. Oldham did not share with Maurice Benard what those surgeries were for.

Maurice Bernad Has A Plan

Maurice Benard is wanting to have Kyle Oldham to return to State of Mind. He is hoping she will be able to give him and his viewers updates about Lee Meriweather’s condition as well as updates about herself. At the time of publication, it was unknown how often Oldham will be returning.

“We decided that she was gonna come in … she was gonna call me and tell me as she progresses,” Maurice Benard stated. “She was going to come in again so the audience could see with their eyes what Alzheimer’s does to someone.” It appears the General Hospital star is trying to raise awareness about Alzheimer’s as well as the impact this dreaded disease has on the family of those who have it.

Tell us what you think. Do you remember Lee Meriweather for her role as Ruth Martin on All My Children? What about her other roles? Did you know her daughter was on The Price Is Right? What do you think of Maurice Benard raising awareness of Alzheimer’s? Sound off in the comment section below.

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