Longtime soap star Shell Kepler passed away this past Friday. Kepler played the gossipy nurse named Amy Vining on the hit ABC soap opera, “General Hospital.” According to reports she died of renal failure at Oregon Health & Science University hospital. Kepler was just the young age of 49.
Shell Kepler was best known as Amy Vining, R.N. on the soap “General Hospital” from 1979-2002 and on the spin-off soap opera, “Port Charles” from 1998-2000 (source: IMDB.com). Longtime fans of the show saw Amy Vining’s family adopt the popular character, Laura in Port Charles. Amy and Laura became sisters on the show soon after, with Laura eventually marrying another popular character, Luke. While Shell’s nosy character may not have been directly involved in major storylines or plots, she provided information and humor with her constant hospital gossip.
Fans of the show will remember Amy always overhearing and passing along info to other GH staff which caused trouble many times. The popular site YouTube has several memorable GH videos involving Amy Vining. One moment includes Amy helping Lucy Coe dress for the Nurses’ Ball. Another memorable moment includes Amy interacting with a young John Stamos as the character Blackie. Shell’s character enjoyed a few romances on the show as well including one in the 80’s with a boxer named Johnny.
According to Shell Kepler’s Wikipedia entry, she was born in Painesville, Ohio on October 5, 1958. She moved to California with her family at age 10. An About.com profile of the actress recalls that she fell in love with acting after seeing “The Wizard of Oz”. Shell went on to perform in several plays including “The Sound of Music” at a young age. Her mother passed away when Shell was just 14, and her father moved back east for a job just 2 years later. Shell chose to stay in Los Angeles with her brother so she could pursue her acting career further. Several articles also recall how she had to have her girlfriends drive her to auditions in California, because she didn’t have a driver’s license yet.
Shell was also a part of three episodes of the sitcom “Three’s Company” in 1981 playing characters named Didi and Luanne. In addition, she appeared in one episode of the TV series “CHIPs” as Gail in 1978, and in a movie called “Homework” with Joan Collins in 1982. According to Cleveland.com, Shell Kepler was also a businesswoman in addition to her acting career. Kepler had her own clothing collection called “Lacy Afternoon” which reportedly topped $20 million in sales in 1994. She marketed the clothes on the Home Shopping Club.
Shell was twice married and twice divorced during her lifetime. She is survived by her brother Fred who has had a successful career in music. May Shell Kepler rest in peace, as she will be remembered by General Hospital fans for her role as the petite and vibrant blonde nurse who loved to gossip.
References and Sources Cited:
About.com General Hospital info �⒬” Shell Kepler
‘General Hospital’ actress Kepler dies, Cleveland.com (AP)
Soap star Shell Kepler dies at 49, MSNBC.com (AP)
Shell Kepler Profile, IMDB.com
General Hospital Episode Guide, TV.com
Shell Kepler Profile, Wikiepedia.org
God Pages Nurse Vining to Heaven, TMZ.com
