Eileen Herlie was a vibrant Scottish character actress who had a remarkable seven-decade-long career. Born Eileen Herlihy on March 8, 1918, in Glasgow, Scotland, she was the daughter of a Catholic father and a Protestant mother. She studied and performed with the Scottish National Players before moving to England, where she became professionally associated with the renowned director Tyrone Guthrie.
Herlihy made her stage debut in 1938 with "Sweet Aloes" and went on to perform in numerous plays, including "Rebecca," "Peg o' My Heart," "The Little Foxes," "John Gabriel Borkman," "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray," "The School for Scandal," and "Anna Christie." Her breakthrough role came when she played Queen Gertrude in "Hamlet" in 1945, a performance that earned her critical acclaim.
Herlihy's film debut was in the costume drama "Hungry Hill" in 1947, but it was her role as Queen Gertrude in Laurence Olivier's film adaptation of "Hamlet" in 1948 that brought her widespread recognition. Despite being 11 years younger than Olivier, she earned acclaim for her portrayal of the character.
Throughout her career, Herlihy appeared in numerous films, including "The Angel with the Trumpet," "Gilbert and Sullivan," "Uncle Willie's Bicycle Shop," "Cocktails in the Kitchen," "She Didn't Say No," and "Freud." However, she found even more rewarding roles on stage, earning enviable notices for her performances in "The Eagle Has Two Heads," "Medea," "The Way of the World," and "Venice Preserv'd."
Herlihy made her Broadway debut in 1955 as Irene Molloy in "The Matchmaker," starring alongside Ruth Gordon. She went on to appear in numerous Broadway productions, including "Take Me Along," "All-American," "Photo Finish," and "Halfway Up the Tree." Her last stage role was in "The Great Sebastians" in 1974.
In 1976, Herlihy made a permanent switch to daytime television, joining the cast of "All My Children" as the lovable and feisty character Myrtle Lum Fargate. She remained with the show for over 30 years, earning a special place in the hearts of audiences.
Eileen Herlihy died on October 8, 2008, at the age of 90, due to complications from pneumonia. She continued to act almost until the end, last appearing on "All My Children" in June 2008.
