Ruth Warrick has died

[ChicagoBwayFan]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 6:56am

Ruth Warrick, the grande dame of TV soap operas, has died.

The 88-year-old actress was a star of ABC's "All My Children" from its inception in 1970 until her death. She was also known for her co-starring role as Charles Foster Kane's first wife, Emily, in the Orson Welles masterpiece, "Citizen Kane," her first movie.

Warrick died Saturday at her home in Manhattan of complications from pneumonia, ABC said yesterday.

Her death came just 10 days after her last appearance Jan. 5 on "All My Children," a special episode marking the daytime drama's 35th anniversary.

Ill health prevented her from appearing frequently over the last few years, but she remained under contract with the show. For her work in "All My Children" and three previous soaps, she received a lifetime achievement Emmy Award last May.

Warrick was born on June 29, 1916, in St. Joseph's, Mo. After she moved to New York, she met Welles and became a member of his famed company, the Mercury Theater.

She appeared in nearly 30 movies, but television made her famous. Her first soap was "The Guiding Light" (1953-54), followed by "As the World Turns" (1956-60), and "Peyton Place" (1965-67)

Warrick is survived by three children, one grandson and six great-grandchildren. A private funeral is scheduled for this Saturday in Manhattan.

A public memorial service will be announced at a later date.

[rlbgbc]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:32am

I haven't watched AMC in years, but during college, AMC was regular viewing. Those verbal wars between Phoebe and Myrtle Lum Fargate were classics! So campy.

[beacon1]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:39am

I'm saddened by this news.

AMC was my Favorite soap in HS and college. Even during my first job, my lunch break spanned the last 15 minutes of AMC and the first 30 of One Life To Live...

She was great!

[mominator]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:41am

I too have been "soap free" for almost a decade. AMC was the last one I gave up. I just loved Phoebe. May she rest in peace.

[junglered]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:53am

My first memories of Ms. Warrick were of her playing the role of Bobby Driscoll's mother in the Walt Disney classic "Song of the South". My out-of-print VHS copy has just become even more precious. Rest in peace, Ruth. Updated On: 1/18/05 at 08:53 AM

[Glebb]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 8:59am

Back in 1985(ish) she came to view one of our rehearsals on the sixth floor at City Center. She was very low energy. My friends and I watched AMC and realized that she was saving it all for the cameras.

[SWTaffy]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 9:17am

I hope Kelly Ripa will say something in honor of her today.

[wildcat]

Posted: 1/18/05 at 11:17pm

We don't have AMC in Australia but I've always loved her film work, and let's not forget her Broadway musical , "Irene"!