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Helen Gallagher, who played Maeve Ryan, the matriarch of the Ryan clan on Ryan’s Hope, passed away on November 24 at the age of 98 in Manhattan.
Playbill released a statement confirming Gallagher’s death, writing, “We are saddened to report that two-time Tony winner Helen Gallagher has passed away at the age of 98. Our condolences go out to her family, friends, and fans.” At the start of her acting career, Gallagher was primarily a theater actress, nabbing two prestigious Tony Awards, one for Best Actress In A Featured Role In A Musical for her work in Pal Joey! and one for Best Actress In A Leading Role In A Musical for No, No, Nanette.
In 1975, Gallagher took on the role of Maeve on Ryan’s Hope. She was an original cast member and remained with the series for the entirety of its run, and when it went off the air, Gallagher was still its emotional heart, singing “Danny Boy” in its final scene, and infamously ad-libbing the line, “Have a good life.” Her character was a devoted wife to the late Bernard Barrow’s Johnny Ryan and a devoted mother to Frank, Pat, Mary, Cathleen and Siobhan. At once tough and loving, Maeve co-owned Ryan’s Bar with Johnny.
Gallagher took home the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress for her work on RH in 1976, 1977 and 1988. After the series ended, she played small roles on All My Children (a nurse), Another World (Hannah Tuttle) and One Life To Live (a sex therapist).
Born in Brooklyn, NY, Gallagher fell in love with the arts at an early age and began training at the American School of Ballet when she was 15 years old. Her illustrious stage career included only the aforementioned roles that won her Tonys, but runs in productions like Sweet Charity, Mame, Oklahoma!, Brigadoon, Hazel Flagg, High Button Shoes, Touch And Go, Tallulah and Make A Wish. She also made some prime-time appearances in shows like Law & Order and The Cosby Mysteries, and in films such as Neptune’s Rocking Horse and Roseland.
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Gallagher as Ryan’s Hope’s Maeve alongside Bernard Barrow as Johnny.
