Shell Kepler
Michelle Alaine Kepler, known professionally as Shell Kepler (October 5, 1958 – February 1, 2008), was an American television actress best known for her work on General Hospital as "Nurse Amy Vining", from 1979 until 2002.
Shell Kepler | |
---|---|
Kepler as Nurse Amy Vining on General Hospital | |
Born | Michelle Alaine Kepler October 5, 1958 Painesville, Ohio, U.S. |
Died | February 1, 2008 49) Portland, Oregon, U.S. | (aged
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1978-2002 |
Notable work | General Hospital |
Spouse(s) | Kenny Ryback (5/20/1985–1991; divorced) Robert DeSantis (4/17/1993–2000; divorced) |
Early life
Kepler was born in Ohio, and her family moved to California when she was 10.[1] She had one brother, Fred, who is named after their father.[2][3]
Career
Kepler portrayed busybody nurse Amy Vining, a "fan favorite" and sister of Laura Spencer's, on General Hospital, from 1979 to 2002.[1] She also appeared on the General Hospital spinoff Port Charles, other shows such as CHiPs and Three's Company, and the movie Homework (1982) with Joan Collins.[1]
Kepler was also a businesswoman, who marketed a line of clothing on the former Home Shopping Club. In a 1994 Associated Press interview, she claimed that her "Lacy Afternoon" collection had earned more than $20 million in sales that year.[1]
After her TV career ended, she moved to Portland, Oregon and was active in charitable fundraising.[1]
Personal life
Kepler married and divorced twice, and had no children.[2][3] She and her General Hospital costar Jacklyn Zeman (who played Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer) were close friends.[4]
Death
Kepler died from kidney failure, on February 1, 2008, at Oregon Health & Science University.[2][5] Her close friend and General Hospital costar, Jacklyn Zeman, delivered a eulogy at her funeral.[6] The February 26, 2008 episode of General Hospital was dedicated to Kepler, "In loving memory".[7][8]
References
- "Longtime soap opera actress Shell Kepler dies at 49". Orange County Register. February 4, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
- "Soap actress Kepler dies in Portland". oregonlive.com. February 6, 2008.
- "Shell Kepler Dead at 49". Soapcentral. February 3, 2008.
- "General Hospital News & Gossip". SoapZone.
- "Shell Kepler Dead at 49". Soapcentral. February 3, 2008.
- "General Hospital News & Gossip". SoapZone.
- Kroll, Dan J (February 20, 2008). "Shell Kepler dead at 49". soapcentral.com. soapcentral.com. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
- "Robin is overcome by emotion". General Hospital. February 26, 2008.
External links
- Shell Kepler at Find a Grave
- Shell Kepler - Soapcentral.com
- Shell Kepler at muchloved.com
- Michelle Kepler, under the nickname, "Shell" at remembered.com