Eileen Davidson
Encyclopedia
Eileen Davidson is an American
film and soap opera
actress. She is known for her role as Ashley Abbott
on The Young and the Restless
and The Bold and the Beautiful
and for the multiple roles she portrayed on Days of our Lives
.
, daughter of Charlotte, a homemaker, and Richard Davidson, an airplane parts manufacturer.
Davidson has been married three times: first to actor Christopher Mayer from 1985–1986. Her second husband was former General Hospital
, Port Charles
, and As the World Turns
actor Jon Lindstrom
, to whom she was married from 1997 to 2000. She is currently married to actor Vince Van Patten. They have 1 child together: Jesse (born in 2003). They met when he briefly appeared as her "boyfriend" on a cruise.
Davidson is related to several well-known actors through her marriage to Vince. Vince's father is actor Dick Van Patten
("Eight is Enough"). Dick's sister is actress Joyce Van Patten
. Joyce was married to actor Martin Balsam
. Joyce and Martin's daughter is actress Talia Balsam
("Mad Men"). Talia's first husband was actor George Clooney
and she is now married to John Slattery
("Mad Men," "Sex and the City," "Desperate Housewives").
on The Young and the Restless
in March 1982, beating out more than 100 candidates. The character of Ashley became a front-burner character, and Davidson became an integral part of the show. She quit the show in December 1988 and the producers took her recommendation of hiring a look-alike actress named Brenda Epperson Doumani, whom Davidson had discovered waiting tables at a charity function.
Davidson then appeared in primetime television, but her show, Broken Badges (1990–1991), was canceled. She returned to daytime when she assumed the role of Kelly Capwell
on Santa Barbara
from May 1991 until the soap's cancellation in January 1993. She next appeared as Kristen Blake
on Days of our Lives
beginning in May 1993. As originally conceived, Kristen was a heroine, who had an Achilles' heel
in that the show's supervillain, Stefano
, had raised her after the death of her parents. James E. Reilly
, who assumed head writing reins in 1993, began to make Kristen more of a villainess. Reilly eventually developed an outrageous second role for Davidson, having her play Susan Banks
, a Kristen look-alike. Reilly eventually penned three more roles for Davidson (Sister Mary Moira, Thomas, and Penelope). Her character, Kristen, intended to keep her other character, Susan, prisoner on an island, but Susan ultimately prevailed and Kristen has remained on the island and has not been heard from since. All related characters were last seen in May 1998. Davidson's five roles earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1998.
After a year-long vacation, she returned to her role on The Young and the Restless
in March 1999. After a successful return as Ashley Abbott, which included Davidson's second Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress, Davidson was fired from the show. In December 2006, Davidson told TV Guide
that she was fired from The Young and the Restless due to lack of storyline. Her last airdate as Ashley was January 11, 2007. According to co-star Melody Thomas Scott
, the firing was protested behind the scenes of The Young and the Restless and was seen as unfair. Scott said: "That was so heartbreaking. We're still upset about that. That was a blow. Terrible. Eileen Davidson was such a part of the core of the show and such a brilliant actress; beautiful and always prepared. It was crazy. I'm not the only one who feels that way."
In a surprise move a few months later, Davidson signed a three-year contract with The Young and the Restlesss sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful
to once again play her The Young and the Restless character Ashley Abbott at the request of The Bold and the Beautiful executive producer Bradley Bell
. She first aired on March 9, 2007.
Ken Corday
called Davidson about a week before she was fired from The Young and the Restless to get permission to use a picture of her on Days of our Lives
. The picture, which featured Davidson as Susan, was shown in December 2006.
After she was fired from The Young and the Restless
but before being cast in The Bold and the Beautiful
, her niece Devon Martt, a fashion designer, approached her about designing clothes together. Davidson liked the idea and formed a clothing company called Femmeology.
Davidson co-wrote her first novel with author Robert J. Randisi, a mystery set in the soap opera world titled Death in Daytime, released in October 2008. Her second mystery novel, Dial Emmy for Murder, was released in June 2009. Her third mystery novel, Diva Las Vegas was released in 2010.
In July 2008, Eileen was downgraded to recurring status at The Bold and the Beautiful. She returned to The Young and the Restless full-time as Ashley on September 26, 2008.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
film and soap opera
Soap opera
A soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
actress. She is known for her role as Ashley Abbott
Ashley Abbott
Ashley Suzanne Abbott McCall is a fictional character from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, currently played by American actress Eileen Davidson, who had played the character for a total of more than 16 years prior to her return in September 2008...
on The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
and The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
and for the multiple roles she portrayed on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
.
Personal life
Davidson was born in Artesia, CaliforniaArtesia, California
Artesia is a city in southeast Los Angeles County, California. Artesia was incorporated on May 29, 1959 and is one of Los Angeles County's Gateway Cities. The city has a 2010 census population of 16,522...
, daughter of Charlotte, a homemaker, and Richard Davidson, an airplane parts manufacturer.
Davidson has been married three times: first to actor Christopher Mayer from 1985–1986. Her second husband was former General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
, Port Charles
Port Charles
Port Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
, and As the World Turns
As the World Turns
As the World Turns is an American television soap opera that aired on CBS from April 2, 1956 to September 17, 2010. Irna Phillips created As the World Turns as a sister show to her other soap opera Guiding Light...
actor Jon Lindstrom
Jon Lindstrom
Jon Lindstrom is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and musician. He is well-known for his longtime role of Kevin Collins on the soap opera General Hospital from 1993–1997, 2003–2004 and then moved the character to Port Charles from 1997-2003.-Early life:Lindstrom was born and raised in...
, to whom she was married from 1997 to 2000. She is currently married to actor Vince Van Patten. They have 1 child together: Jesse (born in 2003). They met when he briefly appeared as her "boyfriend" on a cruise.
Davidson is related to several well-known actors through her marriage to Vince. Vince's father is actor Dick Van Patten
Dick Van Patten
Richard Vincent "Dick" Van Patten is an American actor, best known for his role as patriarch Tom Bradford on the television sitcom Eight is Enough. He began work as a child actor and was successful on the [New York] stage, appearing in more than a dozen plays as a teenager...
("Eight is Enough"). Dick's sister is actress Joyce Van Patten
Joyce Van Patten
Joyce Benignia Van Patten is an American stage, film and television actress.-Personal life:Van Patten was born in New York City, the daughter of Josephine Rose , an Italian American magazine advertising executive, and Richard Byron Van Patten, a Dutch American interior decorator.She is the younger...
. Joyce was married to actor Martin Balsam
Martin Balsam
Martin Henry Balsam was an American actor. He is known for his Oscar-winning role as "Arnold Burns" in A Thousand Clowns and his role as "Detective Milton Arbogast" in Psycho.- Early life :...
. Joyce and Martin's daughter is actress Talia Balsam
Talia Balsam
Talia Balsam is an American actress.-Early life:Balsam was born in New York City to actors Martin Balsam and Joyce Van Patten.-Career:...
("Mad Men"). Talia's first husband was actor George Clooney
George Clooney
George Timothy Clooney is an American actor, film director, producer, and screenwriter. For his work as an actor, he has received two Golden Globe Awards and an Academy Award...
and she is now married to John Slattery
John Slattery
John M. Slattery, Jr. is an American actor and director, best known for his role as Roger Sterling on AMC's series Mad Men. He has been nominated for many awards, and has won two SAG Awards with the Mad Men ensemble....
("Mad Men," "Sex and the City," "Desperate Housewives").
Career
Davidson started her career as a model in Mexico City and California, eventually adding commercials and print work in Europe. Her agent had recommended that she take acting classes to get work in commercials, but she took to acting so well that she was sent out to auditions for acting roles. She originated the role of Ashley AbbottAshley Abbott
Ashley Suzanne Abbott McCall is a fictional character from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, currently played by American actress Eileen Davidson, who had played the character for a total of more than 16 years prior to her return in September 2008...
on The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
in March 1982, beating out more than 100 candidates. The character of Ashley became a front-burner character, and Davidson became an integral part of the show. She quit the show in December 1988 and the producers took her recommendation of hiring a look-alike actress named Brenda Epperson Doumani, whom Davidson had discovered waiting tables at a charity function.
Davidson then appeared in primetime television, but her show, Broken Badges (1990–1991), was canceled. She returned to daytime when she assumed the role of Kelly Capwell
Kelly Capwell
Kelly Capwell was a fictional character on the American soap opera Santa Barbara. She was one of the original characters on the show, and was one of three characters on the show that was recast four times. She was first portrayed by American actress Robin Wright from July 30, 1984 to June 24, 1988...
on Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara (TV series)
Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California...
from May 1991 until the soap's cancellation in January 1993. She next appeared as Kristen Blake
Kristen Blake
Kristen Blake is a fictional villainess on the soap opera Days of our Lives. Although raised by villain Stefano DiMera after the death of her parents , Kristen and Peter were never legally adopted by him...
on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
beginning in May 1993. As originally conceived, Kristen was a heroine, who had an Achilles' heel
Achilles' heel
An Achilles’ heel is a deadly weakness in spite of overall strength, that can actually or potentially lead to downfall. While the mythological origin refers to a physical vulnerability, metaphorical references to other attributes or qualities that can lead to downfall are common.- Origin :In Greek...
in that the show's supervillain, Stefano
Stefano DiMera
Stefano DiMera is a fictional character, a villain on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. Created by head writer Pat Falken Smith, he is portrayed by Joseph Mascolo...
, had raised her after the death of her parents. James E. Reilly
James E. Reilly
James E. Reilly was an American soap opera writer. Known for his work as the head writer of NBC's Days of our Lives and creator/head writer of Passions, Reilly won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series Writing as co-head writer for Guiding Light in 1993.Reilly died suddenly in October...
, who assumed head writing reins in 1993, began to make Kristen more of a villainess. Reilly eventually developed an outrageous second role for Davidson, having her play Susan Banks
Susan Banks
Susan Delilah Crumb is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives. She was played by Eileen Davidson from November 4, 1996 to April 8, 1998. In November 2011, it was announced that Brynn Thayer would take over the role of Susan, since Davidson is committed to The Young and the...
, a Kristen look-alike. Reilly eventually penned three more roles for Davidson (Sister Mary Moira, Thomas, and Penelope). Her character, Kristen, intended to keep her other character, Susan, prisoner on an island, but Susan ultimately prevailed and Kristen has remained on the island and has not been heard from since. All related characters were last seen in May 1998. Davidson's five roles earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1998.
After a year-long vacation, she returned to her role on The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
in March 1999. After a successful return as Ashley Abbott, which included Davidson's second Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress, Davidson was fired from the show. In December 2006, Davidson told TV Guide
TV Guide
TV Guide is a weekly American magazine with listings of TV shows.In addition to TV listings, the publication features television-related news, celebrity interviews, gossip and film reviews and crossword puzzles...
that she was fired from The Young and the Restless due to lack of storyline. Her last airdate as Ashley was January 11, 2007. According to co-star Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott is an American actress, best known for playing Nikki Newman on the soap opera The Young and the Restless since 1979.-Early Training:Melody Thomas Scott has been a working actress since the age of three...
, the firing was protested behind the scenes of The Young and the Restless and was seen as unfair. Scott said: "That was so heartbreaking. We're still upset about that. That was a blow. Terrible. Eileen Davidson was such a part of the core of the show and such a brilliant actress; beautiful and always prepared. It was crazy. I'm not the only one who feels that way."
In a surprise move a few months later, Davidson signed a three-year contract with The Young and the Restlesss sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
to once again play her The Young and the Restless character Ashley Abbott at the request of The Bold and the Beautiful executive producer Bradley Bell
Bradley Bell
Bradley Bell is an American television writer and producer. Bell is a six-time Daytime Emmy Award winner and is executive producer and head writer for The Bold and the Beautiful, an American soap opera.-Career:...
. She first aired on March 9, 2007.
Ken Corday
Ken Corday
Ken Corday is an American television soap opera producer and music composer. He is the son of the late Ted and Betty Corday...
called Davidson about a week before she was fired from The Young and the Restless to get permission to use a picture of her on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
. The picture, which featured Davidson as Susan, was shown in December 2006.
After she was fired from The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
but before being cast in The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful
The Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
, her niece Devon Martt, a fashion designer, approached her about designing clothes together. Davidson liked the idea and formed a clothing company called Femmeology.
Davidson co-wrote her first novel with author Robert J. Randisi, a mystery set in the soap opera world titled Death in Daytime, released in October 2008. Her second mystery novel, Dial Emmy for Murder, was released in June 2009. Her third mystery novel, Diva Las Vegas was released in 2010.
In July 2008, Eileen was downgraded to recurring status at The Bold and the Beautiful. She returned to The Young and the Restless full-time as Ashley on September 26, 2008.
Filmography
- 1982: The Phoenix as Ellie (1 episode)
- 1982–present: The Young and the RestlessThe Young and the RestlessThe Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
as Ashley AbbottAshley AbbottAshley Suzanne Abbott McCall is a fictional character from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, currently played by American actress Eileen Davidson, who had played the character for a total of more than 16 years prior to her return in September 2008...
(1982–1988, March 19, 1999 – January 11, 2007, December 28, 2007 – January 3, 2008; February 27 and 28, 2008; March 25 and 26, 2008; June 19, 20 and 23, 2008, September 26, 2008 – present) - 1982: Goin' All the Way as BJ
- 1983: The House on Sorority RowThe House on Sorority RowThe House on Sorority Row is a 1983 low budget American slasher film directed by Mark Rosman. The film has become a cult classic among fans of the genre.-Plot:...
as Vicki - 1988: Sharing Richard as J.C. Dennison
- 1989: Eternity as Dahlia/Valerie
- 1989: Easy Wheels as She Wolf
- 1990: Broken BadgesBroken BadgesBroken Badges is an American police drama that aired on CBS from November 24, 1990 to December 22, 1990 and in June 1991. The series was co-created by Stephen J...
as J.J. 'Bullet' Tingreedes (3 episodes) - 1992–1993: Santa BarbaraSanta Barbara (TV series)Santa Barbara is an American television soap opera, first broadcast in the United States on NBC on July 30, 1984, and last aired on January 15, 1993. The show revolved around the eventful lives of the wealthy Capwell family of Santa Barbara, California...
as Kelly Capwell (24 episodes) - 1993–1998: Days of our LivesDays of our LivesDays of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
as Penelope Kent (1998), Thomas Banks (1997), Sister Mary Moira Banks (1997–1998), Susan BanksSusan BanksSusan Delilah Crumb is a fictional character on NBC's daytime drama Days of our Lives. She was played by Eileen Davidson from November 4, 1996 to April 8, 1998. In November 2011, it was announced that Brynn Thayer would take over the role of Susan, since Davidson is committed to The Young and the...
(November 4, 1996 – April 8, 1998), Kristen Blake DiMera (1993–1998) - 2007–2008: The Bold and the BeautifulThe Bold and the BeautifulThe Bold and the Beautiful is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS Daytime. It premiered on March 23, 1987....
as Ashley AbbottAshley AbbottAshley Suzanne Abbott McCall is a fictional character from the American soap opera The Young and the Restless, currently played by American actress Eileen Davidson, who had played the character for a total of more than 16 years prior to her return in September 2008...
(March 9, 2007-July 4, 2008; November 25, 2008) - 2010: Symphoria
Awards and nominations
- Emmy nomination as Outstanding Lead Actress in a daytime Serial--Days of our LivesDays of our LivesDays of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
(1998) - Emmy nomination as Outstanding Lead Actress in a daytime Serial--The Young and the RestlessThe Young and the RestlessThe Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
(2003).