OLTL Discussion Group -- For those of you who still watch All My Children, some sad news....

OLTL Discussion Group

Topic: For those of you who still watch All My Children, some sad news....

Topic Posted by: Jade
Date Posted: Thu Oct 9 15:20:52 2008
Additional Comments:

Eileen Herlie, who played the irrepressible and vivacious Myrtle Fargate on "All My Children" since 1976, has passed away from complications from pneumonia. She was 90.

Born Eileen Herlihy in Glasgow, Scotland, Eileen was trained as a theater actress and working in London when she was cast by Laurence Olivier for his 1948 film version of "Hamlet." She played Gertrude, mother to Olivier's Hamlet, even though she was younger than him! Gertrude became a trademark role for Eileen: She played her in the 1964 Broadway production (starring Richard Burton) and then the film adaptation of the show.

Eileen had a successful Broadway career, including roles in "The Matchmaker," "All American," "Crown Matrimonial," and a Tony Award nomination for "Take Me Along.

In 1976, she joined the cast of "All My Children" as Myrtle Fargate, who Phoebe Tyler (the late Ruth Warrick) hired to pose as Kitty Shea's mother in a bid to get the latter out of town. Myrtle stuck around, though, becoming a surrogate mother figure to Erica (Susan Lucci), surrogate grandmother to Bianca (Eden Riegel), beloved advisor/friend to Zach (Thorsten Kaye), and a mentor to the entire town. Myrtle's many misadventures included finding her long lost daughter, Rae (Linda Dano), and even falling in love with Santa Claus! And no one can forget her stories from her "carny" days.

Eileen is survived by her brother and her nieces and nephews.

Posted by: Grace
Date posted: Fri Oct 10 4:26:03 2008
Message:

Oh, that is sad! 90 years is a long life, but I am so sorry to learn of her death.

Like Tori, I loved seeing Myrtle and Zach in scenes together.

I will miss her. May she R.I.P.

Posted by: Tori
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 22:25:34 2008
Message:

90 years! What a run.

She was wonderful as Myrtle. I remember waaaay back when she first came to the Valley. I put her up there with Mona and Grandma Kate...wise women. I think I liked her best in scenes with Zach.

Posted by: Grandma b@s
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 19:41:16 2008
Message:
Awwww, I'm so sad to hear this. I THINK "Myrtle" is one of the casualties of the "big bad thing" that's coming to AMC but this will make it even more meaningful. She will definitely be missed.

Posted by: Fed Up
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 19:32:18 2008
Message:
What a shame it is when an accomplished actor has to turn to a ''Soap'' to find work. It's difficult for aging women in that line of work to find employment. Eileen Herlie was brilliant in the role of Myrtle Fargate. In fact she was domineering in that role. She was highly believable playing the role of an ex ''carnie'' worker turned womens retail apparel shop owner. No doubt she was an excellent ''Gertude''. Rest in peace, lady with the big heart.

Posted by: Gail M
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:55:30 2008
Message:
I always loved the Myrtle character. Eileen has looked very feeble the last few times she has made an appearance. So has Palmer. I didn't want to come in here for fear of what I might find. But because Ms. Herlihy lived such a full and long life, I'll just say R.I.P. and thanks for all of the years on AMC dear lady! You will definitely be missed!

Posted by: trkdrvrsqueen
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:41:01 2008
Message:

R.I.P.

Posted by: mags
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:33:51 2008
Message:

I haven't watched AMC for years but I'm sorry to hear of her passing. 90 years old! Wow what a long life. Lol, she became so real to me that I'm actually picturing what she would have looked like in her ''carny days''.

Posted by: Annie
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:16:57 2008
Message:
When I was in college I watched regularly and loved her! I'm so sad to see this but she truly lived a full life.

Posted by: abra
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:08:53 2008
Message:

AWWWW, I do watch and that makes me so sad. I loved Myrtle, especially these past few years because she understood Zach and was so nice to him. I liked their relationship.

I wonder if Myrtle's character will die in the something bad that's coming.

Posted by: Shirla
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 17:07:41 2008
Message:

Wow. 90. She lived a long and wonderful life. I was afraid to click in here, not knowing which of our elderly actors had passes. I loved Myrtle. She had spunk.

Posted by: W.E.
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 15:44:12 2008
Message:

I posted a tribute topic, to her, on the AMC Discussion board and more are coming in. Love her and may that dear lady rest in peace.

Posted by: Velvet
Date posted: Thu Oct 9 15:33:42 2008
Message:
OH no, I am so sorry to hear this. Thanks for posting it. Myrtle and her pink house were a breath of fresh air on the show. I wonder if AMC will write her death in as they have done for others.