Shell Kepler

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.

Shell Kepler
Kepler as Nurse Amy Vining on General Hospital
Born	Michelle Alaine Kepler (1958-10-05)October 5, 1958 Painesville, Ohio, U.S.
Died	February 1, 2008(2008-02-01) (aged 49) Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Occupation	Actress
Years active	1978–2002
Notable work	General Hospital
Spouse(s)	Kenny Ryback (5/20/1985–1991; divorced) Robert DeSantis (4/17/1993–2000; divorced)

Early life

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

Kepler portrayed busybody nurse Amy Vining, a "fan favourite" 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

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]