Eileen Davidson originated the role of Jabot Cosmetics Executive Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1982. She departed the show in 1989 and returned in 1999 where she remained a central character until 2006. In 2007 and 2008, Davidson's Ashley took a trip to Y&R's sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful.
In 1998, she made daytime television history for portraying five characters at one time on Days of Our Lives. Davidson also portrayed Kelly Capwell on the daytime series Santa Barbara and starred in the primetime television series Broken Badges and the telefilm Sharing Richard with Ed Marinaro.
Her feature film credits include starring roles in Eternity with Jon Voight and Armande Assante, and Easy Wheels with Paul LeMat. She also starred in The House on Sorority Row.
A Southern California native, Davidson lives in Los Angeles with her husband Vincent Van Patten, her son Jesse; and two stepsons, Duke and Vinny. When she is not working, she surfs, snow skis, and scuba dives. She also plays piano, paints, and enjoys writing.
The Bold and the Beautiful
Ashley Abbott
March 9, 2007 to August 2007 [contract]; August 2007 to September 2007 [recurring]
Days of our Lives
Penelope Kent
1998
Days of our Lives
Thomas Banks
1997
Days of our Lives
Sister Mary Moira Banks
1997-1998
Days of our Lives
Susan Banks
1996-1998
Days of our Lives
Kristen Blake
1993-1998; October 11, 2012 to Present
Santa Barbara
Kelly Capwell #4
1991-1993
Broken Badges
J.J. 'Bullet' Tingreedes
1990
The Young and the Restless
Ashley Abbott
1982 to December 11, 1986 [contract]; May 25, 1988 [guest];
March 19, 1999 to
January 11, 2007 [contract];
December 28, 2007 to
January 3, 2008;
February 27 and 28, 2008;
March 25 and 26, 2008;
June 19, 2008 to June 23, 2008 [guest];
September 26, 2007 to
June 23, 2008;
September 26, 2008 to
August 3, 2012 contract;
March 18, 2013 to
March 19, 2013 [guest];
October 25, 2013 to Present [recurring]
Easy Wheels
She Wolf
1989
Eternity
Dahlia/Valerie
1989
The House on Sorority Row
Vicki
1983
Goin' All the Way
BJ
1982
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (
2018; for The Young and the Restless)
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actress (
2014; for Days of our Lives)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2018; for The Young and the Restless)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (1998,
2014; for
Days of our Lives)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (
2014)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2003, 2004; for
The Young and the Restless)
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (2007; for
The Young and the Restless)
Soap Opera Digest Awards Nominee, Favorite Return (1999)
PLACE OF BIRTH: Artesia, California
DATE OF BIRTH: June 15, 1959
HEIGHT: 5' 7"
HAIR: Blonde
EYES: Green
MARITAL STATUS: Married; Vincent Van Patten [Apr 15, 2003]
CHILDREN: Jesse Thomas (May 20, 2003; 8 pounds 4 ounces)
PREVIOUS MARRIAGES: Jon Lindstrom [May 3, 1997 to 2000], Christopher Mayer [1980s]
News Archive: Davidson back to Y&R following leave. [Aug 11, 2000]
News Archive: Davidson to take maternity leave. [Apr 7, 2000]
News Archive: Davidson, soap actor husband split [Dec 11, 2000]
News Archive: Y&R axes long-time vet Eileen Davidson. [Nov 16, 2006]
News Archive: Fired by Y&R, Davidson takes Y&R role to B&B. [Feb 5, 2007]
News Archive: Davidson makes a return trip to Genoa City. [Dec 24, 2007]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson to return to Y&R full-time. [Aug 28, 2008]
News Archive: LISTEN NOW: Eileen Davidson talks soaps, dogs, and murder! on Soap Central Live [Aug 6, 2010]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson let go from Y&R. [May 9, 2012]
News Archive: Davidson confirms she's headed back to DAYS. [Jul 5, 2012]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson wraps up DAYS stint. [Jul 31, 2013]
News Archive: Davidson back to Y&R for three days. [Aug 28, 2013]
News Archive: Davidson adds additional Y&R appearances. [Sep 11, 2013]
News Archive: Davidson selling dresses to benefit children's charity. [Jan 6, 2014]
News Archive: Davidson returning for DAYS story arc. [Jan 28, 2014]
News Archive: Davidson inks a contract with Y&R. [Jun 17, 2014]
News Archive: Report: Eileen Davidson paid $750K to join Real Housewives [Jul 23, 2014]
News Archive: Davidson confirms she's a Housewife. [Nov 5, 2014]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson back taping DAYS return. [Nov 17, 2014]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson on Y&R and DAYS returns and her upcoming sham of a story [Mar 23, 2015]
News Archive: Eileen Davison reportedly returning for second season of RHOBH [May 8, 2015]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson and Victoria Rowell in Twitter tiff [Jun 23, 2015]
News Archive: Dick Van Patten, TV star and father-in-law to Eileen Davidson, has died [Jun 23, 2015]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson spills all in Home and Family interview [Jul 27, 2015]
News Archive: WATCH: Eileen Davidson and Lisa Rinna spill some major soap opera secrets [Dec 3, 2015]
News Archive: WATCH: 2018 Emmy Reels for Lead Actress [Apr 5, 2018]
News Archive: 2018 Daytime Emmys - Eileen Davidson stunned by her Lead Actress win [Apr 29, 2018]
News Archive: Y&R's Eileen Davidson passes DAYS baton to Stacy Haiduk [Aug 21, 2018]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson shares "saddest countdown" to her final Y&R moments [Sep 19, 2018]
News Archive: THAT'S A WRAP: Eileen Davidson tapes her final scenes at Y&R [Sep 24, 2018]
News Archive: Venomous spider attacks Y&R and DAYS star Eileen Davidson [Sep 27, 2018]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson's Y&R run "not over yet, with some more twists and turns" ahead [Oct 18, 2018]
News Archive: WATCH: Eileen Davidson relives her best Y&R moments [Oct 22, 2018]
News Archive: GOODBYE, ASHLEY! Y&R stars bid farewell to Eileen Davidson [Oct 30, 2018]
News Archive: Y&R's Eileen Davidson dishes on her wild new film Walk to Vegas [Jan 10, 2019]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson reveals the true reason she left The Young and the Restless [Jan 21, 2019]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson makes return visit to The Young and the Restless [Feb 25, 2019]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson returns to The Young and the Restless for episodes honoring Kristoff St. John [Mar 29, 2019]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson returns to The Young and the Restless; Ashley makes a shocking move [May 29, 2019]
News Archive: The Young and the Restless, Days of our Lives' Eileen Davidson stars in new web series [Sep 3, 2019]
News Archive: YES! A Christmas film starring The Young and the Restless' Eileen Davidson is on the way [Nov 15, 2019]
News Archive: Iconic theme song reimagined by The Young and the Restless cast members [May 4, 2020]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson says her return to The Young and the Restless is only short-term [Sep 1, 2020]
News Archive: Heartwarming Christmas film to star The Young and the Restless' Eileen Davidson [VIDEO] [Oct 21, 2020]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson joins Caitlyn Jenner in new sitcom Duke of the Valley [Oct 28, 2020]
News Archive: The Young and the Restless' Eileen Davidson wins Supporting Actress award for 7 Days to Vegas [Mar 30, 2019]
News Archive: Y&R's Eileen Davidson to turn her Soap Opera Mystery novels into series, Dial Emme for Murder [Jul 26, 2021]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson signs on to appear in Beyond Salem -- but as who? [Aug 3, 2021]
News Archive: ICYMI: Eileen Davidson returns to Days of our Lives, shares role of Kristen DiMera with Stacy Haiduk [Nov 15, 2021]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson and Cameron Mathison to be honored at RIDE Foundation gala [May 5, 2022]
News Archive: DAYS alums Eileen Davidson and Christopher Sean join season two of Beyond Salem [Jun 2, 2022]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson marks 40 years at The Young and the Restless with lookback video; soap also set to air Abbott sister special [Jun 14, 2022]
News Archive: Eileen Davidson and Josh Swickard star in a new Netflix holiday movie [Dec 14, 2023]
News Archive: The Young and the Restless mystery: How did a new-old Ashley emerge from the ashes? [Feb 24, 2024]
News Archive: Identity theft: The Young and the Restless' Eileen Davidson reveals how Ashley's alters came to life [Mar 29, 2024]
News Archive: The Young and the Restless star Beth Maitland's special gift to addled Ashley [Apr 12, 2024]
