Eileen Fulton, famed for her portrayal of Lisa Grimaldi in the long-running soap opera As the World Turns, has passed away at the age of 91 in Asheville, North Carolina.
Fulton’s illustrious career in daytime television began when she joined As The World Turns in 1960, where she remained until the show’s conclusion in 2010, as reported by Parade.
According to a statement released by her family, Fulton died following a period of deteriorating health, yet her impact on the entertainment world endures.
Originally born as Margaret Elizabeth McLarty, Fulton embarked on her entertainment career after earning her bachelor’s degree in music from Greensboro College in 1956. She explored her early acting ambitions participating in the outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” in Manteo, N.C., before relocating to New York City. There, she honed her acting skills under the guidance of renowned teachers Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg at the Neighborhood Playhouse and studied dance with Martha Graham, adopting the stage name Eileen Fulton thereafter.
Her contributions to the world of soap operas were recognized in 2004 when she received the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
In addition to her daytime role, Fulton also appeared as Lisa Hughes in the primetime spin-off of As the World Turns called Our Private World in 1965, although the show only lasted for 38 episodes.
In her iconic role on As the World Turns, Fulton’s character Lisa Grimaldi experienced marriage eight times over the course of 50 years, making her one of the most memorable figures in soap opera history.
Fulton retired from acting in 2019, with her final role being Katherine Wise in the film The Life Zone.
Her filmography also includes roles in Nero Wolfe, Janie Daggett in Naked City, Girl of the Night, The Signs of the Cross, Tinsel Town, Roses Woes and Joe’s, and The Drum Beats Twice.
Beyond her acting career, Fulton was also an accomplished writer, having penned her first autobiography How My World Turns. She followed up with a second memoir in 1995, As My World Still Turns, and ventured into fiction with a mystery series called Take One for Murder.
Her theatrical pursuits included performances in Many Loves, Any Wednesday, Sabrina Fair, Summer of the Seventeenth Doll, Nite Club Confidential, Plaza Suite, It Had To Be You, The Owl and the Pussycat, Goodbye Charlie, and Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.
She is survived by her brother, Charles Furman McLarty; niece Katherine and their children, Everly Ann Morris and Easton Lane Morris; and sister-in-law, Chris Page McLarty.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
