Eileen Riley Siegel


Eileen Riley Siegel is a fictional character on the American soap opera One Life to Live. The role was played by Patricia Roe from July 1968 until March 1972, and by Alice Hirson from March 1972 until the character's last appearance in May 1976.

Background and storyline

Introduced as a supporting character to older sister to protagonist Joe Riley, Eileen Riley Siegel is an Irish Catholic married to Jewish lawyer Dave Siegel featured in one of the first interfaith marriages on American soap operas. When Joe initially marries media heiress and lead protagonist Victoria Lord in June 1969, the Siegels' twin children, Julie Siegel and Tim Siegel, premiere on the series. David serves as the primary legal counsel for dynamic characters on the series, and Eileen as the familial confidante of Joe.
While on a reporting assignment in California for The Banner in September 1970, journalist Joe is presumed dead after his car drives over a cliff and his body goes missing. Joe's widow Victoria Lord Riley declares him legally dead and begins dating Steve Burke in 1971, to Eileen's grief as she held out hope her brother survived the crash. Victoria marries Steve in 1972, and Joe reappears in Llanview soon thereafter. The reappearance of Joe delights his sister, but leaves Victoria dismayed at her possible bigamy. Victoria and Joe's marriage is dissolved at his legal 1970 death date. Joe and Victoria eventually remarry in September 1974.
Dave dies of a heart attack in December 1972, and Eileen copes by abusing painkillers in 1973. Eventually she seeks treatment from Dr. Dorian Cramer. Julie's husband Dr. Mark Toland carries on an extramarital affair with Dorian, unbeknownst to Julie. Eileen briefly romances Ben Farmer, whose wife Rachel Wilson Farmer dies because of a hospital mishap involving Dorian and Mark. Julie strongly objects to Eileen dating anyone, and demands she remain utterly devoted to the memory of David. Julie goes so far as trying to seduce Ben in order to break up her mother's relationship with him.
Eileen's son Tim returns to Llanview a law school dropout in 1975, leaving Eileen shocked. He becomes a construction worker and betroths Jenny Wolek. Eileen disapproves of the speed of the engagement and persuades him to postpone rushed nuptials. Tim suffers an accident in a fight with Vince Wolek in 1976 that leaves him gravely injured, and he marries Jenny shortly before dying that April. Mourning Tim, the mother and daughter widows Eileen and Julie leave Llanview for Florida in May 1976.