'Days Of Our Lives' Matriarch Peggy McCay Dies At Age 90
Oct. 10 2018, Published 5:16 p.m. ET
Peggy McCay, who played Days of Our Lives' beloved Caroline Brady, has died at age 90.
According to reports, the longtime soap opera star passed away of natural causes.
She had been on the NBC daytime show for 35 years.
Her famed co-star Deidre Hall, who portrays DOOL's Marlena, wrote on her Facebook fan page, "Our dearest Peggy McCay has left us. She was a friend, an activist and a real scrapper!! I remember meeting her at the bedside of a dear, very ill friend. I backed her up as she ferociously took on doctors and nurses to make sure he had the very best care. She fought that hard for all her causes. Passionate and tireless. And how she loved being 'Caroline'!!"
An insider told RadarOnline.com, "Peggy was a great lady on screen and off —a loyal friend and an animal lover.
"She was very active with the Daytime Emmys and had lots of fun at soap opera fan events."
McCay also appeared on the CBS soap opera Love of Life. She won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a drama series for The Trials of Rosie O'Neill, and earned a Primetime Emmy nomination for a guest role as Mrs. Carruthers on Cagney & Lacey.
McCay's other TV credits include Maverick, The Andy Griffith Show (in the 1963 episode "Class Reunion," she played Sheriff Andy Taylor's former high school sweetheart who'd moved to the big city), Perry Mason, Gunsmoke, L.A. Law, Cold Case and Lou Grant.
But it was her role as family matriarch Caroline Brady on Days for which she is best known. McCay started on the soap in 1983 and was nominated four times for a Daytime Emmy for the role, most recently in 2016.
Fans saw her in her final Days episode on August 24, 2016.
Stephen Nichols, who played Steve "Patch" Johnson on the soap, wrote on his Instagram page, "Well Peggy, this is unexpected. The last time I saw you, you talked about how eager you were to get back to work. You said it with such conviction and longing. Don't worry, you gave the world plenty. Gave your audiences inspired performances and your fellow actors your strength and inspiration and absolute love of the work. I will miss you sweet, Peggy. I am so grateful for the time I had with you . Sending love to your loved ones. Rest In Peace. #days #mamabradyforever."
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McCay's TV husband, Frank Parker, died last month from complications of Parkinson's disease and dementia.
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