Eileen Fulton, Beloved Soap Opera Star, Dies at 91

Eileen Fulton, a cherished figure in the realm of soap operas, passed away at the age of 91 on July 14, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina. Fulton's career spanned over five decades, during which she became synonymous with her iconic role as Lisa Grimaldi on “As The World Turns”. Her portrayal captivated audiences from the show's inception in 1960 until its conclusion in 2010. Beyond her long-standing tenure on this series, Fulton also made notable appearances in the primetime spin-off “Our Private World”, further solidifying her status as a versatile actress within the genre.

Fulton died Monday in Asheville, North Carolina, after “a period of declining health,” her family announced.

Four years into the run of As the World Turns, Fulton joined the No. 1 daytime drama in 1960 for what was originally supposed to be a three-month summer storyline. She exited the soap three times — once to headline her own primetime spinoff, 1965’s Our Private World — but continued on through the final episode broadcast Sept. 17, 2010.

She so delighted in played the bad-girl-next-door that she often had encounters with fans who could not suppress their contempt for Lisa, including a well-heeled woman who slapped her weeks into her astonishing run. She took it as a good review.

Born September 13, 1933, in Asheville, North Carolina, she acted in college and on the stage in NYC following a 1956 move to the city.

Working as a model, she landed a part in the feature "Girl of the Night" (1960) opposite Anne Francis.

But from May 18, 1960, on, she was mostly tied up with "As the World Turns," earning herself a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys in 2004.

Fulton appeared in theater having roles in multiple productions including: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? 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.

Fulton's contributions to daytime television were recognized with numerous accolades throughout her career. Notably, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards in 2004 and was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998. Her ability to portray complex characters and evoke genuine emotion resonated deeply with viewers. Fulton's legacy endures not only through her performances but also through the impact she had on aspiring actors within the television industry.

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Sara H

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