Chris  Murphy
Chris Murphy

August 11, 2019
Resided in Johnston, Rhode Island

Obituary

Chris Murphy (Zuleger) 91, passed away Sunday, August 11, 2019 at the Cherry Hill Manor. She was the wife of the late Richard Fortune and a daughter of the late Anthony “Tony” and Bertha (Chayet) Zuleger. She was a member of the Screen Actors Guild. She was the beloved mother of Lori Fortune and the late Brett Fortune; grandmother of Antone Lamoia, and sister of the late Loretta Carpenter.

Chris was born in New York and blessed with both acting and singing talent. At 16 years of age Chris was an usherette at the then Paramount Theater in New York. One of her co-workers was Vic Damone, another usher at the theater. Vic and Chris often would sing duets together during their break times.
Vic Damone later went on to become a well-known Italian-American pop/big band singer who recorded many songs including the popular On the Street Where You Live and You’re Breaking My Heart.
Chris’s uncle, Joe Diskay, was a Hungarian tenor. He was encouraged by Joseph Pasternick (the Hungarian born American producer of MGM) to leave war-torn Europe and come to California. Her uncle followed his advice and came to America where he opened up a studio on Sunset Boulevard giving voice lessons. He encouraged Chris’s parents to move to California so that he could give voice lessons to Chris. Many of Chris’s aunts lived in California which made the move an enjoyable venture.
Chris’s career blossomed in many areas including singing, modeling, and acting in plays. The accompanying photo is of Chris co-starring with Jack Palance in the play Dead End. Soon Chris started acting in TV programs - among them M Squad and 77 Sunset Strip.
The lead actor in 77 Sunset Strip was Efrem Zimbalist Jr. and the lead actress Linda Donnell. Chris was Linda Donnell’s stand-in; therefore, she had to know every word and action performed and had to study Linda’s character in the event that she had to step in. This did happen when Linda injured her leg and could not perform.
When one talks to Chris about her acting career, you can see the twinkle in her eyes and feel the love she put into all of her performances.
Chris came to s after sustaining and episode of vertigo which caused a fall and fractured pelvis. As we visit her at her home, she shares with us some of her “show business” albums.
Chris’s life was filled with memories and enjoying her family and friends. The day Chris left CHM for home was the start of Nursing Home Week. This year’s theme is “Hollywood Nights” so as Chris left our building, her favorite song - Someone to Watch Over Me - was being performed on the piano by one of our activity staff. This touching moment was enjoyed by Chris’s daughter and the CHM Staff as she added her voice to the music. Chris then posed on the red carpet. CHM has a “Hollywood Legend” - Chris Murphy- who will always be part of our Cherry Hill family.

A visitation will be held Friday, August 16, 2019 from 5-7 PM with a service to follow at 7 PM in the Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Chapel, 2435 Warwick Ave., Warwick. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America, 355 Lexington Avenue, 15th Floor, New York, NY 10017 will be appreciated.

Guestbook

Photos


Videos



Services

Visitation
Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home
2435 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI US 02889
Friday, August 16, 2019
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Service
Thomas & Walter Quinn Funeral Home
2435 Warwick Avenue
Warwick, RI US 02889
Friday, August 16, 2019
7:00 PM

Charities

Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
355 Lexington Avenue, 15th Floor
New York, New York 10017