Ruth Warrick, one of ALL MY CHILDREN's original cast members as the
portrayer of Phoebe English Tyler Wallingford, died on January 15 in
her New York City home of complications from pneumonia. She was 88.
Born in St. Joseph, MO, Warrick got her start in professional
acting at NYC's Mercury Theater, headed by actor/director Orson
Welles, with whom she later would make her film debut in Citizen
Kane. After racking up 30 film roles, Warrick graced television in
1953 on GUIDING LIGHT, then on AS THE WORLD TURNS and PEYTON PLACE
(for which she received her first Emmy nomination). In 1970, she
joined AMC for its premiere, went on to earn a pair of Daytime Emmy
nods for her portrayal of Phoebe, and was honored last May with a
Lifetime Achievement Emmy. Her Broadway career included runs in Irene
(opposite Debbie Reynolds), Take Me Along (with Jackie Gleason) and
Pal Joey.
"Acting was Ruth's passion and her life," shares TV niece Julia
Barr (Brooke). "She was a real pip -- a grande dame and a consummate
professional. I will miss her very much."
Warrick is survived by three children, a grandson and six great-
grandchildren. A service for family and close friends will be held
Saturday, January 22, in Manhattan; a public memorial celebrating her
life and career will be announced at a later date. In lieu of
flowers, donations can be made to Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS,
God's Love We Deliver, City Harvest, and/or Gilda's Club NYC.