On July 14th, 2025, Eileen Fulton passed away.
While she joined the show early in the run instead of being an original cast member, Eileen may be the most iconic performer from the CBS sudser, portraying Lisa. Eileen left As the World Turns a few times, including in the mid-60s when she left to be the star of Our Private World, a prime time spin-off of the daytime show! The show was not a success, but it showcases the appeal of Eileen’s portrayal that such an attempt was made!
Eileen was attributed for the spike in popularity that the name “Lisa” experienced. Indeed, “Lisa” was the most popular name for girls from 1962 to 1969. Not all of the attention Eileen got was positive, however! Famously, she told a story about how a fellow shopper approached her, asked her if she was Lisa, and, upon confirmation that she was, assaulted her (I think it was a slap across the face, but it could have been something else).
While Eileen remained a cast member of ATWT until the show ended, she was very vocal about the way that the show would refuse to showcase their long term cast members. In the waning few years of the show’s life, Lisa was frequently appeared less than 10 times a month, although the show did focus on Lisa one final time to commemorate Eileen’s 50th anniversary with the show.
Eileen received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Daytime Emmys. I have posted a YouTube link to her part of that ceremony.
