Absolutely Iconic Young And The Restless Actresses

What would The Young and the Restless (Y&R) be without its leading ladies? We can relate to them; they make us laugh, cry, and sometimes, they make us want to pull our hair out. But truth be told, the land of Genoa City simply wouldn’t be the same without them. While the Y&R female characters are incredible, they could never come to life without the amazing actresses who play them. Below is a list of absolutely iconic Y&R actresses.

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12. Christel Khalil

Christel Khalil has been with Y&R since she was six years old, and blossomed into an amazing, understated actress before viewers’ very eyes. In her portrayal of Lily Winters, Khalil plays the tough but fair CEO of Chancellor Industries. When she isn’t calling the shots in the business world, she’s being patient with her boyfriend, Billy Abbott. Let’s hope Khalil chooses to stay in Genoa City forever, because the little town wouldn’t be the same without her!

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11. Sharon Case

There are two types of Y&R fans out there: those who love Sharon Newman and those who hate her. Sharon Case is a veteran of the show, playing her Newman character for over two decades now. Y&R audiences have watched Sharon grow from a sweet teenager into a mom and wife, overcoming mental health issues, and becoming the strong and confident woman she is today. Over the years she’s been nominated for five Daytime Emmys and took one home in 1999.

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10. Lauralee Bell

Lauralee is the daughter of Y&R creators Lee Phillip and William J. Bell. She’s also been on the soap opera since 1983, playing Christine ‘Cricket’ Blair, resident good girl and overall fighter of justice. Bell has earned a Daytime Emmy for her portrayal as Cricket and she is undeniably one of the most popular female characters in the show’s history.

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9. Amelia Heinle

Heinle is no stranger to daytime dramas. Prior to her current Victoria Newman Y&R role, Amelia played Stephanie ‘Steffi’ Brewster in Loving, its spin-off The City and All My Children. She had some pretty big shoes to fill in 2005 when she took over the portrayal of Vicky from fan-favorite Heather Tom; however, Heinle handled the transition with ease. In fact, the only two Daytime Emmys she’s snagged (consecutively) are the ones she’s earned while playing Victoria Newman.

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8. Michelle Stafford

There’s nothing quite like the original! Although Y&R fans grew accustomed to Gina Tognoni’s portrayal of Phyllis Summers, it felt right to gain Michelle Stafford back from her stint on General Hospital. Stafford joined the cast of the Y&R in 1994 before leaving the role in 2013. Stafford has won two Daytime Emmys during her tenure with the Y&R.

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7. Mishael Morgan

Mishael Morgan was so popular in the role of Hilary Curtis, that when Y&R had her character axed (after contract negotiations went south), they felt compelled to bring her back as Hilary’s twin, Amanda. Morgan’s chemistry with Bryton James (who plays Devon) is hard to replace, and even though it’s strange to think about Morgan’s very different characters now having the same boyfriend, we aren’t complaining!

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6. Melissa Claire Egan

Melissa Claire Egan joined Y&R in 2011 but quickly made herself a fixture in this CBS soap. What has been her formula for success? Giving tour de force performances that turn the heads of legacy cast-mates doesn’t hurt, but also having super couple chemistry and being generous with the fans gives the actress special charm. Egan will hopefully remain in Genoa City for a long time to come!

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5. Eileen Davidson

Soap opera actress, former model, reality television star, and author; it seems like Eileen Davidson has done it all. In fact, Davidson sits among a selected few daytime drama veterans who hold not only one iconic soap opera role (Y&R’s Ashley Abbott), but two, as she also has had a huge role in Days of Our Lives playing the infamous Kristen DiMera (and at times, the ever-wild Susan Banks). Davidson has even pulled double duty between the two shows. In 2014, she snagged the Daytime Emmy for Lead Actress for her work on Days.

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4. Heather Tom

Tom played the original grown-up Victoria Newman, entering the Y&R in 1990 and leaving the show in 2003. Heather is an accomplished daytime drama actress, who is currently on the Bold and the Beautiful and has set records when it comes to Daytime Emmys. She’s been nominated for 17 Daytime Emmy Awards and has won five in total.

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3. Melody Thomas Scott

Melody Thomas Scott, who has portrayed Nikki on Y&R ever since her debut in 1979. While she has helped to create several super couples during her time in Genoa City, Scott is best known for being soap opera royalty in her on-again, off-again relationship with Victor Newman. Outside of daytime television, Scott has written an autobiography on her four decades in show business.

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2. Jess Walton

Jess Walton was actually the fifth actress to portray the infamous Jill Abbott on Y&R, but she has been hands-down the best over the years. Stepping into the role in 1987, she has owned the part ever since. Walton has had spots on a wide variety of short films, television shows, and movies over the years, proving to have quite the diverse acting career. She’s also been honored with two Daytime Emmys during her tenure in soaps.

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1. Jeanne Cooper

Incredible actress, icon, and legend — these are just a few words to describe the late and great Jeanne Cooper. She started with Y&R upon its inception in 1973 and remained with the show until her passing. Viewers of the show simply adored Cooper and she was also known to be a mentor backstage when it came to giving newer actors on the set tips and advice. She was nominated for a Daytime Emmy ten times and was honored with the statue twice, winning the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy in 2008 and taking home the Lifetime Achievement Award 2004.