'General Hospital' Actress Kepler Dies

Posted: 2008-02-05 10:35:14

PORTLAND, Ore. (Feb. 5) - Actress Shell Kepler, who for years played the gossipy nurse Amy Vining on the TV soap opera "General Hospital," has died. She was 49.

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Jim Hager, May 1: Along with his identical twin brother Jon, he formed a musical comic duo that shot to fame as original cast members on the hit show 'Hee Haw' in 1969. The 66-year-old collapsed while in a Nashville coffee shop.

Kepler died Friday at Oregon Health & Science University hospital, which did not give the cause of death.

Kepler's busybody character on "General Hospital" was a fan favorite and enjoyed a long run, 1979-2002.

In addition to her run on "General Hospital," she was also in a 1982 Joan Collins film, "Homework," and a couple of episodes of the situation comedy "Three's Company."

On the side, she was a businesswoman, marketing clothing on the former Home Shopping Club. She said in a 1994 Associated Press interview that her "Lacy Afternoon" collection had sales topping $20 million that year alone.

Kepler was born in Ohio and the family moved to California when she was 10. She recalled in 1994 that she didn't yet have a driver's license when she began trying out for film roles.

"I managed to get my girlfriends to drive me to auditions because I wasn't old enough to drive. I was a rather ambitious kid," she said.

She moved to Portland after her TV career and became involved in charity fundraising.

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Amy Bugs Blackie, 1983

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2008-02-05 08:54:04

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1138 comments

mswood22 12:52:41 AM Feb 27 2008

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It ia so hard to beleave she is gone. WOW time gos by so fast god bless her family she will be missed.

wallace866 06:30:49 PM Feb 22 2008

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I AM JUST NOW FINDING OUT ABOUT SHELL. SHE WAS A VERY GOOD ACTRESS. I HAVE BEEN WATCHING SOAPS SINCE THEY CAME ON.AMC.OLTL.AND GH.AND SOMETIMES I WILL CATCH THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS, I REALLY ENJOY MY SOAPS. REST IN PEACE SHELL

teecee0153 12:05:46 AM Feb 22 2008

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These insulting people like meecheemill, should not get to you. They are only testing your nurves. There are a lot of us worked and was able to look at the soaps. My condolence to Kelper and Groh family. And I thank them for being apart of my entertainment.

ecjt2007 11:23:51 PM Feb 16 2008

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god bless shell keplers family i remember when she was on gh and god bless david grohs family because i remember him as well.they both will be missed

ldahlbe 02:00:44 PM Feb 16 2008

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HEY KELLY IT IS A SOAP OPERA DO U REALLY COMPARE AGES?? I MEAN THIS IS THE SOAP WORLD THAT AGES KIDS 15-20 YRS IN 2 SEASONS..

grouchnc 04:51:36 PM Feb 15 2008

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may she rest in peace, and I am waiting to find out what happen. I hope she did not suffer she was a great star.

campbellcan59 02:47:12 AM Feb 15 2008

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She had her own style.

pls413 01:45:10 PM Feb 13 2008

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God bless her ....

pls413 01:42:27 PM Feb 13 2008

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I never could follow soap operas because i was always working

lupaul48 12:47:46 PM Feb 13 2008

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I have always enjoyed soap operas since they were on radio. I am now 79 years old. I got married had 4 children, brought them up and they doing well. I was in the work force for 23 years until retirement. I am the middle class and I still enjoy soap operas. So be it.

Elch51 12:08:02 PM Feb 13 2008

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HER CLOTHES WERE BEAUTIFUL

kellyhoagland 11:12:53 AM Feb 13 2008

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Sad that she died so young however they must have her age wrong. I was 16 when I first started watching General Hospital... and she was a nurse. She was also older than Laura who is older than me.. I am 48.

zellhldbrnd 05:44:20 AM Feb 13 2008

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Guiding Light is my favorite - don`t know about others.

hoochbunny04 02:46:49 AM Feb 13 2008

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I remember her very well. She was a very nice person . May she rest in peace and my thoughts and prayers go out to her family.....Abby Colorado Springs CO

mrsshopsalot 01:48:22 AM Feb 13 2008

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I DO NOT WATCH SOAP OPERAS..BUT IF PEOPLE ENJOY WATCHING THEM, THEN SO BE IT... BETTER THAN USING DRUGS..DRINKING TO OBLIVION..HURTING KIDS..HEY..WAIT A MINUTE..I GOT A NEW SOAP OPERA!!! MISS JUDY GOES MISHIGOSH!!!~!~~~~~QUICK!!! CALL THE NETWORKS..WHILE I STILL LOOK GOOD IN CLOSEUPS!!!!!!!!!!!

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