All My Children Legend Mary Fickett Dead at 83
By Jamey Giddens on September 10, 2011
In a sad, real life twist, Mary Fickett, who originated the role of heroine Ruth Brent Martin on All My Children, has passed away. The news comes just as the iconic sudser Fickett starred on is preparing to leave the network television airwaves later this month. Fickett died on Sept. 8 at her home in Callao, Virginia, according to the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. She was 83.
In a sad, real life twist, Mary Fickett, who originated the role of heroine Ruth Brent Martin on All My Children, has passed away. The news comes just as the iconic sudser Fickett starred on is preparing to leave the network television airwaves later this month. Fickett died on Sept. 8 at her home in Callao, Virginia, according to the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. She was 83.
Debuting on AMC in 1970, Fickett portrayed Ruth for nearly 30 years. She saw her legendary character protest the Vietnam War, deal with the secret that her "son" Phil (Richard Hatch) was really her nephew, fall in love and marry Dr. Joe Martin (Ray MacDonnell), endure the vicious rape of Ray Gardner (Gil Rogers) and adopt Ray and Opal's (Dorothy Lyman, Jill Larson) abandoned son Tad (most notably Michael E. Knight), all before giving birth to her and Joe's biological son Joey aka Jake (now played by Ricky Paull Goldin). Watch a clip of Fickett as Ruth giving the eulogy at Mona Kane's (Frances Heflin) funeral after the jump:
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4 February 2009
5 days 22 hours
REST in PEACE MRS FICKETT thank you for the memories.
I wonder when All My Children goes online if they would write her death into the show??
1 July 2009
14 hours 34 min
One of the true greats, RIP Mrs. Fickett!!!
26 September 2010
2 hours 14 min
Ruth as portrayed by Mary Fickett was an integral part of the classic AMC that got me hopelessly hooked on the show back in the late 70s. That only leaves Dr. Joe and Erica as original cast members...Late 70s and early 80s AMC was SO well written and casted...there won't ever be anything like it.
4 May 2009
1 hour 25 min
Oh God no....
I knew she was not in the best of health these last years but it is still shocking.
Her portrayal of Ruth will forever live in our hearts. We love you Mary!
xoxo
17 July 2009
13 hours 27 min
Another beloved actress has left us. Rest in peace, Mary Fickett!
2 October 2009
11 hours 47 min
Amen to all the other posts. RIP, Mary!
17 February 2009
4 hours 44 min
Loved her and her portayal of Ruth Martin. So sad to see her go...
4 May 2009
1 hour 25 min
I just re-watched on YouTube the episode of AMC from 1/3/95.
It was the first episode of the week celebrating the show's 25th anniversary when Joe and Ruth move into their new home after the tornado and a slew of former cast members arrive at the end for a housewarming party.
It's my favorite anniversary storyline any soap has done.
I highly recommend it. Ruth is sad and anxious about the new house not feeling like home. Mary nails it everytime. It's really her storyline in my opinion.
When Ruth says: "Oh Kate. Nothing is the same. Nothing." I almost lost it kids.
9 September 2009
31 weeks 4 days
Deepest sympathy to the to the AMC fans, family and co-workers sadden to loose someone who was loved by so many, and at AMC broadcast end, as we lost dearly loved Helen Wagner-Nancey Hughes at ATWT'S end.
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7 April 2011
11 hours 20 min
How sad. What a lovely performer who provided decades of memories to legions of fans. My condolences to her family and may she rest in peace.
12 February 2010
2 hours 27 min
It's also noteworthy that Mary Fickett was the FIRST daytime performer to be honored with an Emmy Award in 1973. She didn't even know she'd won until Agnes Nixon called her the next day and informed her about it.
I heard that Miss Fickett had developed dementia and had spent the final years of her life living with her daughter. I can only hope that she had SOME measure of peace in her final days and that her passing was peaceful. Lee Meriwether is certainly a good actress, but in my opinion, there's only ONE Ruth Martin.
This news saddens me as we continue to lose all of our CORNERSTONE/LEGENDARY performers--actors who used to serve as beacons of light, knowledge and truth on our soaps, virtual mother and father figures. Its sad. She will certainly be missed.
27 December 2007
23 hours 16 min
Sorry to hear this Ruth Martin was one of my favorite characters of all time...My condolences to Mary's family and friends.
15 January 2009
14 min 9 sec
Mary Fickett was one of the true great gems of All My Children, of Daytime, and of the acting world. A truly talented woman who brought the qualities to screen that everyone wanted in a mother, a friend and a loved one. You will truly to be missed. RIP.
4 May 2009
1 hour 25 min
Amen David!
22 April 2011
8 weeks 5 days
Sad news Rest in Peace Ms Fickett
14 June 2011
32 weeks 3 days
I want to thank my sister in law, alston for reminding me of how amazing she was.
No matter how beautiful Lee Merideth was, I still miss the original Ruth. I bet Michael E. Knight is in mourning. That womwan was like a mother to him.
AN EMMY NOMINATION FOR JULIA PACE MITCHELL
18 August 2008
5 days 13 hours
Isn't it odd that she was close to the same age as David Canary? Adam was a vital character right up until he left town, but Ruth was put out to pasture once Tad grew up.
14 December 2008
1 week 1 hour
I loved Mary Fickett and was so sad to hear about this yesterday! Rest in peace, Mary. My thoughhts and prayers go out to her family,
8 September 2009
19 hours 35 min
She was such an amazing part of what made AMC so special. Her portrayal of Ruth Martin really left a mark on me as a child, especially during the 70's and 80's. She was a phenomenal talent. Rest in Peace Mary Fickett!
14 December 2008
1 week 1 hour
Thank you for the wonderful clip of Ruth.
12 February 2010
2 hours 27 min
An_Emmy_For_Julie_Pace_Mitchell--
Thanks for the shoutout, but I am a MAN, not a woman, so that would make me your "brother in law."
16 March 2008
7 min 4 sec
I was looking hard for the 70s clip of Mary Fickett as Ruth giving her anti-Vietnam war speech. Not only did it win her an Emmy but it was the first Daytime Emmy given out for Best Actress in a Daytime Drama. If anyone can find that clip, it would be so appreciated.
I can’t recall a time when Mary Fickett as Ruth wouldn’t give me a warm feeling, no matter what kind of day I was having, when she came onscreen. She was just that kind of character and Mary made her so real. God bless you Mary Fickett and rest well.
17 February 2009
4 hours 44 min
What a relief! I thought that other post was for real and I was completely disappointed that I had it all wrong this whole time. I'm glad to know you're still a guy altonsboy.
12 February 2010
2 hours 27 min
Doodleynoodle--
Yep, rest assured. I still have a penis.
4 May 2009
1 hour 25 min
There was a ten year difference between Mary & David Canary. I would not call that close in age.
Condolences to her family.