The entertainment world recently mourned the passing of a remarkable generation of talent, as four legendary actresses — Eileen Fulton, Piper Laurie, Olive Sturgess, and Chita Rivera — each departed at the age of 91. Their collective careers spanned nearly a century, leaving an indelible mark across the landscapes of television, film, and Broadway. These women, titans in their respective fields, not only captivated audiences for decades but also helped to shape the very fabric of American performance arts.
Eileen Fulton, the acclaimed soap opera icon best known for her role as Lisa Grimaldi on the long-running series “As the World Turns,” died at 91 on July 14, 2025, in Asheville, North Carolina. Her career in daytime television began in 1960 with “As the World Turns,” a show she remained with until its series finale in 2010, marking an extraordinary 50-year tenure.
Born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty in Asheville on September 13, 1933, Fulton’s artistic journey began remarkably early. At just two years old, she reportedly “jumed from my mother’s lap and ran to the altar and sang, ‘Mama’s little baby loves shortening bread.’ They couldn’t shut me up, and they haven’t been able to shut me up since,” as she recounted to CBS News in 1998. This early spark ignited a lifelong ambition; she told The Washington Post in 1990, “I dreamed of being the greatest actress on Broadway.”
After graduating from Greensboro College with a bachelor’s degree in music in 1956, Fulton performed in the outdoor drama “The Lost Colony” in Manteo, N.C. She then moved to New York to pursue her acting dreams, studying with renowned coaches Sanford Meisner and Lee Strasberg at the Neighborhood Playhouse, and later dance with Martha Graham. It was at this juncture that Margaret Elizabeth McLarty adopted her stage name, Eileen Fulton, and embarked on a prolific career that included modeling gigs before her film debut.
Her first film role was in the 1960 movie “Girl of the Night,” where she co-starred with Anne Francis. The same year, she was cast as Lisa Miller on the CBS soap opera “As the World Turns.” Fulton revolutionized daytime drama, becoming known as “daytime’s first bad girl” and the “disruptor to the family dynamic.” Her eagerness to embrace Lisa’s villainous side contributed significantly to the character’s immense popularity and longevity.
Lisa Grimaldi, as her character became known, was infamous for her numerous marriages, tying the knot eight times over 50 years to characters including Bob Hughes, John Eldridge, Michael Shea, Grant Coleman, Whit McColl, Earl Mitchell, Eduardo Grimaldi, and Martin Chedwyn. By the time “As the World Turns” concluded in 2010, Lisa’s full name was reportedly Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi Chedwyn, a testament to her eventful on-screen life. So impactful was her portrayal that fans, angered by the manipulative villainess, sometimes necessitated Fulton to employ a bodyguard for protection.
Fulton’s dedication to her role was legendary, with only brief interruptions throughout the show’s run, establishing her as one of the longest-tenured soap opera actors in U.S. history. One notable absence was in 1965, when she left to headline the primetime spin-off “Our Private World.” This series, which followed Lisa after she fled Oakdale to marry the wealthy John Eldridge in Chicago, was short-lived, lasting only 38 episodes before Fulton returned to “As the World Turns” in 1966.
Beyond her iconic soap opera role, Fulton maintained a diverse acting portfolio. Her film credits included “The Signs of the Cross,” “Tinsel Town,” “Roses Woes and Joe’s,” and “The Drum Beats Twice.” On television, she appeared in “Nero Wolfe” and as Janie Daggett in “Naked City.” She also boasted an impressive array of theater credits, performing in Broadway productions such as “Many Loves,” “Any Wednesday,” “Sabrina Fair,” “Summer of the Seventeenth Doll,” “Nite Club Confidential,” “Plaza Suite,” “It Had To be You,” “The Owl and the Pussycat,” “Goodbye Charlie,” and “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof.” For a period early in her career, she simultaneously appeared live on “As the World Turns” and on Broadway in “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” and off-Broadway in the musical “The Fantasticks.”
Fulton’s contributions to the entertainment industry were widely recognized. She was inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998. In 2004, she was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmy Awards, sharing the honor with fellow “As the World Turns” co-stars Don Hastings and Helen Wagner, as well as Ruth Warrick, Frances Reid, John Clarke, Ray MacDonnell, Jeanne Cooper, and Rachel Ames. She also received her first-ever Daytime Emmy Award nomination in 1988 for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series.
Outside of her acting career, Fulton was also an author. She co-authored her first autobiography, “How My World Turns,” in 1970, followed by “As My World Still Turns” in 1995 to commemorate her 35th anniversary on “As the World Turns.” She also penned a series of mystery novels titled “Take One for Murder.” Furthermore, she performed a cabaret act for many years in various venues across New York and Los Angeles. Fulton retired from show business in 2019, moving to Black Mountain, North Carolina, and her last acting credit is listed as Katherine Wise on “The Life Zone.”
Eileen Fulton’s passing leaves a profound void. She is survived by her brother, Charles Furman McLarty (Karen) of Black Mountain; her niece Katherine Morris (David) and their children, Everly Ann Morris and Easton Lane Morris of Fort Mill, S.C.; and her sister-in-law Chris Page McLarty of Camden, Maine. She was predeceased by her parents and her brother, James Fulton McLarty. Her legacy as a trailblazing figure in daytime television, celebrated for her enduring portrayal of Lisa Grimaldi, remains firmly cemented.
Coinciding with this loss, the entertainment landscape also bid farewell to Piper Laurie, an equally celebrated actress whose career spanned seven decades in both film and television. Ms. Laurie passed away at 91 in Los Angeles, confirmed by her manager, Marion Rosenberg, who stated she “basically died of old age” and praised her as an “extraordinary talent and a superb human being.”
Born Rosetta Jacobs in Detroit in 1932, Laurie was one of the last surviving performers from the Golden Age of Hollywood. Her talent garnered her three Oscar nominations, the first for her compelling portrayal of the dispirited alcoholic Sarah Packard opposite Paul Newman in the 1961 poolhall drama “The Hustler.” Following this, Laurie took a 15-year hiatus from acting, dedicating her time to raising a family and campaigning for the civil rights movement.
Her return to the screen in the mid-1970s was met with further acclaim, notably for her performance in the horror classic “Carrie,” which earned her another Oscar nomination. More recently, she gained recognition as Catherine Martell in the television series “Twin Peaks,” a role that secured her a Golden Globe and two Emmy nominations. Fans and colleagues alike have mourned her passing, with many taking to social media to commend her versatility, as one fan tweeted, “RIP to Piper Laurie, an amazing actress who could play both a damaged love heroine in ‘The Hustler’ & the monstrous mother in ‘Carrie.’ ”
The industry also mourned Olive Sturgess, a veteran actress who made an indelible mark in television Westerns and horror. Sturgess, also 91, passed away from natural causes on February 19, 2025, in Los Angeles, California, according to her daughter, Amy Anderson Sanchez, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Prior to her passing, Sturgess had lost her long-time home in a January fire and was residing with her daughter.
Born on October 8, 1933, in Ocean Falls, British Columbia, and raised in Vancouver, Sturgess discovered her passion for performing at a young age through ballet and piano lessons. A pivotal moment occurred when she watched Mary Martin perform in “Peter Pan,” inspiring her to pursue a career in show business. In Tom Weaver’s 2014 book “I Talked With a Zombie,” Sturgess vividly recalled the enchanting experience of seeing a performer dramatically fly onto the stage, solidifying her aspiration to become an actress.
Sturgess moved to California with her family in 1954, where she enrolled at Whittier College and honed her craft through acting classes at the Beverly Hills Playhouse. There, she met Hank Garson, a prominent CBS radio show writer, which led to her early television appearances on shows like “Matinee Theater,” “Studio 57,” “The Millionaire,” “The People’s Choice,” and “The Red Skelton Hour.” Her talent was quickly recognized, leading to a contract with Universal-International after Clint Eastwood conducted her screen test. By the 1950s, Sturgess noted she was appearing on television twice a week, showcasing her prolific output.
Her extensive filmography included nearly 300 television episodes over two decades, starting from the mid-1950s. She was particularly known for her roles in Westerns, featuring in series such as “Bonanza,” “The Virginian,” “Destry,” “Wide Country,” “Maverick,” “Whispering Smith,” “Bronco,” “The Tall Man,” “The Rebel,” “Laramie,” “Lawman,” “Have Gun — Will Travel,” “Rawhide,” “U.S. Marshal,” “Sugarfoot,” “Cheyenne,” and “Tales of Wells Fargo.” She also guest-starred with Mickey Rooney on a 1960 episode of NBC’s “Wagon Train,” notably wearing Elizabeth Taylor’s wedding dress from “Father of the Bride.”
Beyond Westerns, Sturgess made appearances on diverse series including “West Point,” “Perry Mason,” “Panic!,” “The Donna Reed Show,” “Hawaiian Eye,” “The Danny Thomas Show,” “Petticoat Junction,” “Dr. Kildare,” and “Ironside.” Her guest appearances on two episodes of the Boris Karloff-hosted NBC horror anthology series “Thriller” in 1960 and 1961 led to her memorable role as Estelle Craven in American International Pictures’ “The Raven.” In this 1963 horror spoof, she starred alongside legendary actors Vincent Price, Peter Lorre, and a young Jack Nicholson. Sturgess, who stood 5 feet 2 inches tall, was also skilled at horse riding and participated in rodeos, further highlighting her versatility. Her last onscreen appearance was in a 1974 episode of “The Rookies,” though she maintained engagement with her fans through correspondence until her death. Olive Sturgess is survived by her daughter Amy, son Stephen, son-in-law Lorenzo, daughter-in-law Rikke, and granddaughter Jennifer.
Finally, the world of Broadway lost one of its brightest stars, Chita Rivera, who died peacefully at 91 in New York after a brief illness. Rivera’s long-time publicist, Merle Frimark, confirmed the news, stating, “It is with immense personal sorrow that I announce the death of the beloved Broadway icon Chita Rivera. My dear friend of over 40 years was 91.”
Born Dolores Conchita Figueroa del Rivero Anderson in Washington, D.C., in 1933, Rivera began training as a ballerina at age 9, eventually receiving a scholarship to the School of American Ballet from the legendary choreographer George Balanchine. Her Puerto Rican heritage, which she often celebrated, shaped her identity; she told The Post in 2005, “My heritage helped make me what I am. I was always proud of my roots — the big family, all the food, the celebrating.”
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Rivera quickly rose to prominence as Broadway’s quintessential “triple-threat” – an actress, singer, and dancer – paving the way for Latinx artists. Her unparalleled Broadway career spanned decades, beginning in 1950. She originated the timeless role of Anita in the original Broadway premiere of “West Side Story” in 1957, a role for which she received widespread acclaim. Though Rita Moreno later famously took on the role in the Oscar-winning film adaptation, Rivera often quipped, “My costumes. My steps. My orchestrations. Rita Moreno won the Academy Award for giving my performance,” as she stated in her 2005 one-woman show, “Chita Rivera: The Dancer’s Life.”
Her illustrious stage career included starring roles in “Bye Bye Birdie,” opposite Dick Van Dyke, a performance that earned her her first Tony Award nomination in 1960. She also starred in Bob Fosse musicals like “Chicago,” where she originated the role of the brassy Velma Kelly in 1975, and “All That Jazz.” Other notable original Broadway cast credits include “Guys and Dolls” and “Mr. Wonderful,” where she starred alongside Sammy Davis Jr.
Rivera’s talent was consistently recognized by the industry. She received a record 10 Tony Award nominations, winning Best Actress in a Musical twice: first in 1984 for John Kander and Fred Ebb’s “The Rink,” and again in 1993 for their “Kiss of the Spider Woman.” In 2018, she was honored with a Special Tony Award for lifetime achievement in the theater. Her accolades extended beyond Broadway, as she was a Kennedy Center honoree in 2002 and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom from President Barack Obama in 2009.
Despite her dizzying stage schedule, Rivera made appearances in a number of movies and TV shows, including screen adaptations of “Sweet Charity” and “Chicago,” as well as “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band.” Her most recent screen credit was a cameo in Netflix’s 2021 film “Tick, Tick… Boom!,” where she “held court all day” on set, as recalled by director Lin-Manuel Miranda. Miranda called her “the trailblazer for Puerto Rico on Broadway” and stated, “She IS magnificent, not ready for the past tense just yet.”
Fellow artists deeply felt Rivera’s impact. Rita Moreno, who won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 1961 film “West Side Story,” called Rivera “eternal” and “the essence of Broadway,” adding, “When I found out that this astonishing creature was one of my people, I crowed with pride.” Catherine Zeta-Jones, who won an Oscar for playing Velma Kelly in the film adaptation of “Chicago,” spoke of the “incredible impact” Rivera had on her life. Ariana DeBose, who won an Oscar for playing Anita in the 2021 “West Side Story” remake, described Rivera as “a force” whose presence inspired greatness.
Rivera’s personal life also saw a marriage to Tony Mordente, who played A-Rab in “West Side Story,” though they divorced in 1966. She also penned a memoir, “Chita: A Memoir,” published last year. Her final appearance on Broadway was in 2015’s “The Visit,” another Kander and Ebb musical. Chita Rivera is survived by her daughter Lisa Mordente, and siblings Julio, Armando, and Lola del Rivero. Her family has requested that donations in her memory be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, with a private funeral planned and a memorial service to be announced.
The passing of these four extraordinary actresses at 91 collectively marks a poignant moment in entertainment history. Eileen Fulton, Piper Laurie, Olive Sturgess, and Chita Rivera each, in their unique ways, embodied dedication, versatility, and an unwavering commitment to their craft. From the enduring drama of daytime soaps to the bright lights of Broadway, from the silver screen’s golden age to the rugged landscapes of television Westerns, their contributions are woven into the very fabric of American culture. Their lives were testaments to resilience, artistic innovation, and the profound power of performance. Though they have taken their final bows, the stages, screens, and hearts they touched will forever resonate with the unforgettable echoes of their talent and the indelible legacies they leave behind.
