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Shell Kepler

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Shell Kepler
Kepler as Nurse Amy Vining on General Hospital
Born
Michelle Alaine Kepler

(1958-10-05)October 5, 1958
DiedFebruary 1, 2008(2008-02-01) (aged 49)
OccupationActress
Years active1978–2002
Notable workGeneral Hospital
Spouse(s)Kenny Ryback (5/20/1985–1991; divorced)
Robert DeSantis (4/17/1993–2000; divorced)

Michelle Alaine 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.

Early life

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Kepler was born in Ohio, and her family moved to Arcadia, California when she was 10.[1] She had one brother, Fred, who is named after their father.[2][3]

Career

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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

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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]

Kepler died from kidney failure, on February 1, 2008, at Oregon Health & Science University.[2][5] Zeman delivered a eulogy at her funeral.[4] The February 26, 2008 episode of General Hospital was dedicated to Kepler, "In loving memory".[6][7]

References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Longtime soap opera actress Shell Kepler dies at 49". Orange County Register. February 4, 2008. Retrieved November 3, 2015.
  2. ^ a b c "Soap actress Kepler dies in Portland". oregonlive.com. February 6, 2008.
  3. ^ a b "Shell Kepler Dead at 49". Soapcentral. February 3, 2008.
  4. ^ a b "General Hospital News & Gossip". SoapZone.
  5. ^ "Shell Kepler Dead at 49". Soapcentral. February 3, 2008.
  6. ^ Kroll, Dan J (February 20, 2008). "Shell Kepler dead at 49". soapcentral.com. Retrieved December 29, 2012.
  7. ^ "Robin is overcome by emotion". General Hospital. February 26, 2008.
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