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Eileen Fulton, the legendary actress best known for her iconic role as Lisa Grimaldi on the classic soap opera As the World Turns, has passed away at the age of 91.
Fulton died on Monday, July 14, in Asheville, North Carolina, after a period of declining health, according to a statement from Groce Funeral Home.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Eileen studied drama and music at Greensboro College before heading to New York City in 1956 to chase her dreams on stage and screen. She got her early break in the 1960 film Girl of the Night, but that same year, her career would take a historic turn.
That year, Fulton was cast as Lisa Grimaldi on As the World Turns—a role that was initially intended to be short-lived. However, her portrayal quickly captivated audiences, and what began as a temporary character blossomed into one of the most enduring roles in soap opera history. Fulton brought Lisa to life for 50 years, from 1960 until the show’s finale in 2010.
Beyond daytime television, Fulton also made her mark on stage, including a role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and starred in the short-lived soap opera spin-off Our Private World.
Her work earned widespread recognition, including a Soap Opera Digest Award in 1991 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Daytime Emmy Awards, cementing her legacy as one of the true pioneers of daytime TV.
Eileen Fulton’s influence on the genre and her unforgettable presence on screen will be remembered by generations of soap opera fans. She was 91.
