Eileen Herlie Dead at 90

This is very sad to hear, Myrtle was one of the only truly good characters left on AMC. She will be greatly missed.

Sadly, I saw this one coming, especially since she was MIA for the big Jesse/Angie wedding and all. Some of my earliest soap memories are of nosy old Myrtle (as my mom used to say, she was always in everybody's business) and the Boutique that never seemed to have any customers. This grand lady was hilarious, earthy and just plain real in a way that most soap stars today could never comprehend or try to emulate. When you get right down to it, they just don't make actresses like Eileen Herlie anymore.

Rest in peace, Mrs. Fargate. Give our best to Phoebe and Langley.

Soaps just aren't what they used to be. And part of the reason is the passing of time. 2008 has seen the death of irreplacable greats like Beverlee McKinsey, Larry Haines, Irene Dailey, and producer Robert Calhoun. And, now, regretfully I have to add Eileen Herlie to this list.

I'm really saddened by this news. Herlie was vital to "All My Children"—and provided lots of soul and humanity. Naturally, Myrtle had some eccentricities, but the character was emotionally real. And Herlie was sublime. She nabbed numerous supporting-actress Emmy nominations (the last in 1986)—along with a Tony nomination—and I'm very fortunate for have experienced Eileen's engaging work (during my soap-watching years).