Who was Eileen Fulton? Everything to know as the soap opera veteran dies at 91

Eileen Fulton, the veteran actress best known for her iconic role as Lisa Grimaldi on CBS’s As the World Turns, has died at the age of 91. Born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty on September 13, 1933, in Asheville, N.C., Fulton died on July 14, 2025, after a period of declining health.

Best remembered as daytime TV's first "vixen," Fulton played Lisa from 1960 to the end of the show in 2010, becoming one of history's longest-running soap opera performers.

Her character changed from a scheming bad girl to a treasured character, changing the image of women on daytime drama.

Eileen Fulton rose to fame as Lisa Grimaldi on As the World Turns

Eileen Fulton became a part of As the World Turns in 1960 as Lisa Miller, a character intended to be temporary. Developed by Irna Phillips, Lisa was to play a "nice girl," but Fulton brought a manipulative tone that soon made the character a daytime villain.

Fans reacted positively, and Lisa was among the first soap opera "vixens." She was so popular that her character's longevity on the show was ensured.

Lisa married Bob Hughes and bore their son Tom, but the marriage ended in short order.

She had many affairs, feuds, and sensational storylines, including a r*pe, custody wars, and several rocky marriages.

She left As the World Turns briefly for the 1965 primetime spinoff Our Private World before returning to Oakdale in 1967.

Over the decades, Lisa became the focal point. She married eight times, operated such businesses as Fashions and The Mona Lisa restaurant, and had long-standing feuds and friendships.

Her storylines included murder trials, blackmail, and even spying with her husband, Earl Mitchell.

Even with a diminished role in subsequent years, Lisa was still central, frequently advising younger residents and popping up during specials.

A tribute show saluting Fulton's 50 years on the program occurred in 2010. She made her last appearance in As the World Turns' final episode, bringing an end to her almost 50-year role as Lisa.

Fulton's characterization helped redefine the female characters on daytime television.

She earned critical acclaim as one of the most iconic and long-running figures in the history of the soap opera.

Eileen Fulton’s personal life and legacy

Eileen Fulton was born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty on September 13, 1933, in Asheville, North Carolina. She graduated with a music degree from Greensboro College in 1956.

After moving to New York, she studied with Sanford Meisner, Lee Strasberg, and dancer Martha Graham. She was married three times and had no children.

Fulton also appeared in the 1960 film Girl of the Night and performed stage work in plays like Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and The Fantasticks.

She also played at cabarets in New York and Los Angeles.

Aside from playing, Fulton was also a writer. She wrote two autobiographies—How My World Turns and As My World Still Turns—and a novel entitled Soap Opera and six murder mystery books.

She was named to the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998 and was inducted with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. Fulton retired in 2019.

She is survived by her brother Charles McLarty, niece Katherine Morris, and extended family.

According to Groce Funeral Home, funeral services will be held on August 9, 2025, in Asheville.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to music scholarship funds at Brevard College or Greensboro College.

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