Her name was Eileen Fulton — the actress who brought Lisa Grimaldi to life on As the World Turns. The way she transformed her on-screen persona turned her into a true icon. In the early years, Lisa was portrayed as a “polite girl next door,” but she evolved into a sophisticated schemer that audiences loved to hate.
At one point, Eileen even added a so-called “grandma clause” to her contract, ensuring her character would never have grandchildren — fearing it would make her appear “old” and get her written off the show. The clause caused controversy, especially after a miscarriage storyline was introduced, leading viewers to wrongly believe Fulton was behind it and prompting a wave of angry, even threatening messages.
Despite the scandals, her dedication to the role and the love she received from fans remained unchanged. She continued to appear on the show until its very end — leaving behind not just a character, but an entire era in television history.