Eileen Fulton Dead At 91: The Life And Legacy Of As The World Turns’ Iconic Lisa Grimaldi

The world of daytime television lost a true legend this year, as the iconic actress Eileen Fulton passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 91. The news of her death, which occurred in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, brought an outpouring of tributes from fans and former co-stars who remembered her half-century portrayal of the complex and captivating character, Lisa Grimaldi, on the CBS soap opera *As the World Turns* (ATWT). Eileen Fulton's unparalleled tenure as Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi Cheddar, or simply Lisa Grimaldi, made her one of the most recognizable and enduring figures in the history of the genre, a true pioneer who defined the role of the daytime "bad girl." Her legacy is not just in the sheer volume of episodes—spanning five decades—but in the indelible mark she left on the cultural landscape of American television.

Eileen Fulton: A Complete Biography and Profile

Eileen Fulton was a multifaceted talent: an actress, a gifted singer, and a published author. Her career was a testament to dedication, beginning long before she stepped onto the set of *As the World Turns*.

• Full Name: Margaret Elizabeth McLarty
• Known As: Eileen Fulton
• Born: September 13, 1933, in Asheville, North Carolina
• Died: July 14, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina
• Age at Death: 91
• Education: Graduated from Greensboro College in 1956 with a bachelor's degree in music and a minor in drama.
• Spouses: Bill Cochrane (m. 1957), Danny Fortunato (m. 1971), and a third marriage.
• Children: None. (The character Lisa Grimaldi had two children: Tom Hughes and Nancy Hughes).
• Notable Roles: Lisa Grimaldi on *As the World Turns* (1960–2010).
• Awards: Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award (2004), Soap Opera Digest Editor's Award (1991), Inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame (1998).
• Other Work: Broadway actress, cabaret singer, and author of several novels and biographies.

The Reign of Lisa Grimaldi: 50 Years of Soap Opera History

Eileen Fulton's career is inextricably linked to the character of Lisa Grimaldi, a role she began playing on May 18, 1960. What started as a small part quickly evolved into one of the most dynamic and central roles in daytime television, setting the standard for the genre's dramatic heroines.

The First "Bad Girl" of Television: Lisa Grimaldi was famously dubbed the "first bad girl" of television, a pioneering character who introduced a level of complexity and moral ambiguity rarely seen in early soap operas. She was a temptress, a schemer, and a survivor, often making questionable decisions but always remaining compelling to the audience. This complexity is what allowed the character to remain relevant for half a century.

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A Marriage Merry-Go-Round: The most famous aspect of Lisa's storyline was her tumultuous love life. Over her 50-year run, the character was married an astonishing eight times, leading to one of the most complicated family trees in soap opera history. Her list of surnames—Miller, Hughes, Eldridge, Shea, Colman, McColl, Mitchell, and Grimaldi—became a running joke and a symbol of her enduring romantic turmoil. Actor Nicolas Coster even played two of her husbands across different shows, including Eduardo Grimaldi on *ATWT* and John Eldridge on the spin-off.

The Spin-Off: Our Private World: Lisa's popularity was so immense that CBS created a prime-time spin-off series, *Our Private World*, in 1965, centered entirely around her character. This was a rare and significant honor, underscoring Fulton's star power and the audience's deep investment in Lisa's life. Although the show was short-lived, it solidified Eileen Fulton's place as a daytime superstar.

Beyond Oakdale: Eileen Fulton's Diverse Career

While the character of Lisa Grimaldi in the fictional town of Oakdale defined her public persona, Eileen Fulton was a versatile performer with a rich career that extended far beyond the soap opera stage. Her talents as a singer and author were equally celebrated.

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A Gifted Singer and Cabaret Star: Trained in music at Greensboro College, Fulton was an accomplished singer who maintained a successful cabaret act throughout her career. She performed her one-woman show, "Eileen Fulton: An Evening with Eileen," to sold-out audiences across the country, showcasing a powerful voice and a captivating stage presence that contrasted with her dramatic television role.

The Author: From Fiction to Memoir: Fulton also made a significant mark as an author. She penned several books, including her own life story in two biographies, giving fans a candid look behind the scenes of her extraordinary life. Furthermore, she wrote a standalone novel titled *Soap Opera* and six murder-mystery novels, proving her creative range extended to crafting compelling narratives on the page.

Stage and Screen: Before and during her long run on *ATWT*, Fulton appeared in other productions, including the 1960 film *Girl of the Night*. She also returned to her theatrical roots, appearing in stage productions like the famous play *Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?*, demonstrating her commitment to the craft of acting across different mediums.

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A Legacy of Accolades and Enduring Fame

Eileen Fulton's immense contribution to television was formally recognized with several prestigious awards, cementing her status as a daytime television icon. Her longevity and dedication set a benchmark that few actors have ever matched.

Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award: In 2004, Fulton was honored with the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award, a high point in her career that acknowledged her 50 years of continuous work on *As the World Turns*. This award was a tribute to her groundbreaking work in shaping the modern soap opera heroine.

Soap Opera Hall of Fame: Her legacy was further recognized when she was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998. She also received the Soap Opera Digest Editor's Award in 1991, highlighting the respect and admiration she garnered from her peers and the industry press.

The character of Lisa Grimaldi, with her "32 lovers" and countless dramatic moments, became a cultural touchstone. When *As the World Turns* ended its run in 2010, Fulton was one of the few original cast members who remained until the very final episode, a testament to her loyalty and the show's reliance on her star power. Her passing in July 2025 marks the end of an era, but the legacy of Eileen Fulton—the talented actress, singer, author, and the unforgettable Lisa Grimaldi—will continue to resonate with generations of soap opera enthusiasts.