Eileen Fulton, the legendary American actress best known for her iconic role as Lisa Grimaldi on the CBS daytime soap As the World Turns, has died at the age of 91. She passed away on July 14, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina, after a period of declining health. Her passing comes as a huge loss to the entertainment industry and the countless fans who followed her decades-long career.
Early Life and Rise to Fame
Margaret Elizabeth McLarty, who later took the stage name Eileen Fulton, was born on September 13, 1933, in Asheville, North Carolina. Her passion for performance sparked early and by college, she was already on her way to the limelight, having studied music and the dramatic arts at Greensboro College. She moved to New York City in 1956, determined to chase her dream of acting on the big stage.
Becoming Lisa Grimaldi
Eileen Fulton made TV history when she started playing Lisa Grimaldi (originally Lisa Miller) on As the World Turns in 1960. What started as a minor, temporary character quickly became a central figure and catalyst for the show’s biggest storylines. Fulton’s portrayal of Lisa, often called a “bad girl” of daytime TV, made her one of soap opera’s most memorable and long-lived stars. Over 50 years, Lisa was married eight times, schemed endlessly, and made viewers love her and hate her in equal measure. Fulton’s continued presence helped define As the World Turns until its finale in 2010.
Achievements and Personal Life
Beyond her soap stardom, Eileen performed in Broadway productions, cabaret shows in New York and Los Angeles, and wrote several books—including autobiographies and a series of murder mysteries. She received numerous accolades, such as induction into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998 and the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.
Eileen married three times in her life and after retiring in 2019, she returned to North Carolina, settling in Black Mountain. She is survived by her brother, niece, and other extended family.
Remembering a TV Pioneer
Colleagues and fans alike remember Fulton as a trailblazer—a woman who transformed what it meant to be a soap star and who inspired generations with her resilience and unforgettable presence on screen. “I have lived two lives—my own and Lisa’s—not many actors get a chance to do that,” she once reflected.
FAQs About Eileen Fulton
Q1. How old was Eileen Fulton when she died?
She was 91 years old at the time of her death.
Q2. What made Eileen Fulton famous?
She became famous for her role as Lisa Grimaldi on As the World Turns, a character she played for nearly 50 years.
Q3. Did Eileen Fulton receive any major awards?
Yes, she won several accolades, including a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award and was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame.
Q4. Was Eileen Fulton involved in work outside acting?
Yes, she was also a singer, author of autobiographies and mystery novels, and often performed in cabaret and on the theater stage.
Q5. Where did Eileen Fulton spend her final years?
After retiring, she lived in Black Mountain, North Carolina, close to her family.