
Eileen Fulton, the actress best known for her groundbreaking role as Lisa Grimaldi on the long-running soap opera As the World Turns, has died at the age of 91.
Fulton passed away on Monday, July 14, in Asheville, North Carolina, following a period of declining health, according to an obituary released by Groce Funeral Home.
Born and raised in North Carolina, Fulton studied drama and music at Greensboro College before relocating to New York City in 1956 to pursue her acting career. Her early work included a role in the 1960 film Girl of the Night, which helped pave the way for her most iconic role that same year.

That year, she was cast as Lisa Grimaldi on As the World Turns, a character initially intended for a short-term run. However, Fulton’s performance resonated so deeply with viewers that the role was expanded, ultimately becoming one of the most enduring in soap opera history. She portrayed Lisa for five decades, from 1960 until the show concluded in 2010.
In addition to her work on television, Fulton appeared on Broadway, including a role in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, and headlined the soap opera spin-off Our Private World. Her contributions to daytime television were recognized with a Soap Opera Digest Award in 1991 and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Daytime Emmy Awards.
Eileen Fulton was 91.