Simran Joshi
Broadway legend and television icon Helen Gallagher, best known for her role as Maeve Ryan on the ABC soap opera Ryan’s Hope and her two Tony-winning performances, has passed away at the age of 98.
The actress, whose career spanned over six decades, died on November 24 at a New York City hospital, as confirmed by Edith Meeks, executive and artistic director at New York’s Herbert Berghof Studio.
Gallagher’s legacy includes her groundbreaking work on stage and screen, as well as her dedication to mentoring the next generation of performers.
Broadway Legacy and Career First Steps
Helen Gallagher began her Broadway journey in 1944, debuting in Seven Lively Arts. Her dancing skills earned her this opportunity, marking the start of an illustrious career.
In 1952, she won her first Tony for Pal Joey as Best Featured Actress in a Musical. Gallagher starred as Hazel Flagg in 1953, a role she initially doubted she could perform.
Reflecting on the experience, she said, “You keep working… and then you’re started.”
Her success on Broadway continued with parts in Make a Wish and Sweet Charity, for which she took over the lead when Gwen Verdon left. She was nominated for her second Tony in 1971 as Best Actress in a Musical for No, No, Nanette.
She appeared regularly on TV variety shows alongside her Broadway work, making her a true all-around talent. “On stage I was totally free,” she remembered of her early love of performing.
Soap Opera Career and Teaching Legacy
Gallagher earned national recognition as Maeve Ryan on Ryan’s Hope from 1975. The soap opera, which was set in New York, focused on family closeness rather than over-the-top plots.
“Maeve is caring. the mother figure,” Gallagher said about her character’s significance to viewers. She stayed with Ryan’s Hope until it ended in 1989, earning three Daytime Emmys.
In the 1970s, Gallagher started teaching singing for musical theater at the Herbert Berghof Studio.
She said that her time there was one of the greatest joys of her life. The school honored her in 2020 by naming a theater the Helen Gallagher Studio Theatre. “HB Studio is my home,” she said, reflecting on her impact as a mentor and teacher.
GIPHY App Key not set. Please check settings