Last night on Twitter, it was announced that former “General Hospital” actress Bergen Williams, who played the recurring role of Alice Gunderson (aka “Big Alice”) from 2002-2015 on the daytime drama series, has passed away. She was just 62 years old at the time of her death which reportedly occurred on July 20, 2021, surrounded by her family.
According to a post on William’s Twitter account, which is now managed by her sister, Williams died following a battle with Wilson’s Disease, a rare disorder that causes copper accumulation in the liver, brain, and other vital organs. It’s understood that it is inherited.
“Her disease made it impossible for her to speak her lines the same way as before so they made her quit,” Williams’ sister wrote of why Big Alice stopped appearing on the series. “I’m sad they didn’t just give Big Alice Wilson’s Disease on the show so she could keep acting and keep her healthcare! Dang GH!!!! Thanks for condolences. She loved her fans!” It was later stated in a follow-up post it was stated that the family only just gained access to Williams’ Twitter account which is why it took so long for the news to come out of her passing.
An accomplished writer, inventor and actress, Williams wrote three episodes of “Power Rangers Wild Force” the same year she joined “GH.” Throughout her acting career, Williams also appeared in episodes of such shows as “7th Heaven,” “Nip/Tuck,” “Scrubs,” “NYPD Blue,” “Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman,” “Happy Endings,” and “Raising Hope,” among a plethora of others. According to her IMDb, she was a Regents Scholar in Chemistry with a 4.0 GPA from UC Berkley. During her senior year in college, however, she changed schools and her major, graduating in 1989 with a BA in Drama from UC Davis so that she could fulfill her passion for acting and writing.
A prominent fixture on “GH” as the maid of the Quartermaine family, Big Alice was well known for her banter with the likes of Edward Quartermaine (the late John Ingle), Tracy Quartermaine (Jane Elliot), and her adoration for Luke Spencer (Anthony Geary).
“She was a bright light in the Q house for many years,” said Wally Kurth who portrays Ned Ashton on the soap. Earlier he said, “Sending heartfelt condolences to Bergen’s family.”
Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis), who appeared alongside Williams over multiple episodes on the soap, shared a clip of a time when Alexis was dressed up as a man and unknowing Big Alice wanted a kiss. Grahn commented on Twitter of the clip, saying, “Best kiss evah! RIP dear Bergen.”
Watch the clip below.
You can also watch a clip below of when Big Alice had Jury Duty, and as a result, wouldn’t have to do all the chores she was presented with by the Quartermaines.