AMC's Eileen Herlie Has Passed Away

1 Daytime drama has lost a number of soap legends already in 2008 (Beverlee McKinsey, Irene Dailey and Larry Haines to name a few), and now comes word that another shining star has passed. Eileen Herlie, who played the feisty Myrtle Fargate on ALL MY CHILDREN since 1976, died on Oct. 8 in New York City. She was 90. The actress was born in Glasgow, Scottish, and had an impressive stage and film career. She studied theater and appeared in small roles in movies. But she got her big break when she was cast opposite Laurence Olivier in the film version of Hamlet in 1948. She played Hamlet's mother Gertrude even though she was 13 years younger than Olivier. She appeared on Broadway as well, most notably in the musical "Take Me Along" which earned her a Tony nomination. More from the Pine Valley Bulletin: In 1976 she made the leap to the small screen and debuted as former carnival worker, Myrtle Fargate. She endured everyone as the ultimate den mother at the boarding house where just about everyone has lived at one time or another. And has been surrogate mother to, most recently, Erica Kane (Susan Lucci) and confidant to Zach Slater (Thorsten Kaye). In 1984, 1985 and 1986 she was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in the Best Supporting Actress category. And she is one of only a few actresses ever to appear on the three soaps (AMC, Loving and OLTL) as the same character. Eileen has been married, but is divorced and has no children. She is survived by her brother Alfred as well nieces and nephews. Eileen's legend will live on in the hearts of AMC fans who will never forget Myrtle's wise advice and calming influence in the chaotic world of Pine Valley.