The soap opera world has lost one of its most iconic stars. Eileen Fulton, beloved for her role as Lisa Miller on As the World Turns, passed away on July 14, 2025, in Asheville, NC, after a period of declining health. A woman who captivated audiences for over five decades leaves behind a legacy that will never be forgotten.

Eileen Fulton, the Emmy-winning actress who became a legend for her portrayal of Lisa Miller on As the World Turns, passed away on July 14, 2025, at the age of 91, in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina. Her passing follows a period of declining health.

Born Margaret Elizabeth McLarty on September 13, 1933, Eileen Fulton’s journey to stardom began in the world of television and film, where she had a few small roles before making an explosive debut in 1960 as Lisa Miller, a character who would go on to steal the spotlight for five decades.

Fulton’s entry into the soap opera world was not without its surprises. Lisa Miller, a character originally intended for a short-term stint, quickly became one of the most beloved and complex figures in daytime television. Her feisty attitude, tumultuous relationships, and unapologetically bold nature earned her a lasting place in soap opera history. Over the years, Lisa’s eight marriages, three divorces, four widowhoods, and a single annulment solidified her place as a legendary character whose name, humorously, became Lisa Miller Hughes Eldridge Shea Colman McColl Mitchell Grimaldi Chedwyn.

The character of Lisa Miller was so polarizing that Fulton received both adoration and hate mail from fans. The intensity of the reaction to her character even led to threats, with the actress once having to hire a bodyguard. Fans couldn’t get enough of her, even confronting her on the street, expressing their displeasure, and, at times, slapping her indignantly. But despite the tension, she remained an iconic figure, always managing to win over the hearts of her audience, no matter how much they “loved to hate” her.

Fulton’s career on As the World Turns was marked by both highs and lows. She briefly left the show in 1963 to pursue live theater, juggling roles in The Fantasticks and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? on Broadway, but was replaced by Pamela King. She would later return to the role in 1966 after her primetime show Our Private World was canceled. A contract dispute in 1983 briefly saw Betsy von Furstenberg replace her, but Fulton returned the following year. Even in 2004, when Fulton became ill, Carmen Duncan temporarily took over her role, but Fulton’s resilience kept her front and center until As the World Turns concluded in 2010.

Outside of her work on daytime television, Fulton’s talents extended to film, theater, and writing. She appeared in movies like The Signs of the Cross, Tinsel Town, and Rose Woes and Joe’s, as well as stage productions including Plaza Suite, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, and Abe Lincoln in Illinois with Hal Holbrook. Her stage career spanned regional theater and Broadway, showcasing her versatility and depth.

Fulton was also an accomplished author, publishing two memoirs—How My World Turns and My World Still Turns—and several mystery novels, including Soap Opera, Death of a Golden Girl, and Lights Camera Death. Her literary contributions expanded her legacy beyond the screen and stage.

In 2004, Fulton’s contributions to the daytime television world were recognized when she received the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award. It was the culmination of a remarkable career that not only entertained but also shaped the landscape of soap operas.

Eileen Fulton leaves behind an incredible legacy that will continue to influence the world of television for years to come. Her passing marks the end of an era for As the World Turns, a show that will forever be tied to the unforgettable Lisa Miller. Soap Hub extends its deepest condolences to her family, friends, and the countless fans who will always remember the legendary actress.

Will the world ever see another character as captivating and complex as Lisa Miller?