Eileen Davidson confirms she's departing CBS soap 'The Young and the Restless'
For many weeks, the rumor mills were swirling with the news that Eileen Davidson would be stepping away from her role as Ashley Abbott on CBS' 'The Young and the Restless' (Y&R). The 59-year-old actress finally addressed the rumors, taking to Twitter to confirm that she would indeed be departing the long-running soap opera.
Davidson called the show 'her second home,' writing, "Yes I am leaving my second home @YandR_CBS in September. I’ve been so blessed to be able to play Ashley Abbott and work with the amazing people on the show and have nothing but gratitude and love for all!!! Time for a little more control over my day to day!"
The actress originated the role of Abbott in March 1982 by beating out more than 100 candidates and went on to become one of the show's primary, leading characters. Her journey on the soap had its fair share of ups and downs, however.
She quit 'The Young and the Restless' in 1988, going on to appear in her very own primetime television show 'Broken Badges.' She then had stints in other daytime shows such as 'Santa Barbara,' and 'Days of Our Lives,' the latter of which saw her take on multiple roles, before returning to CBS and Y&R in 1999. The 1980s also saw her involved in roles in slasher film 'The House on Sorority Row,' and 'Easy Wheels.'
Davidson left the show again after she was fired in 2006 due to an apparent lack of storyline, going to sign a three-year contract with sister show 'The Bold and the Beautiful,' where she once again got the opportunity to portray Abbott. After she was downgraded to a recurring character on the show, she returned to Y&R briefly before having to leave as a result of contractual clashes.
The 59-year-old returned in full capacity in June 2014, signing a four-year contract with Y&R and has continued to act on the soap since. Her announcement that she will be leaving the show comes as that contract has now been fulfilled and has reached its end.
Her near-four decade stint in the industry has seen her collect quite a few individual accolades as well. For her role in 'Days of Our Lives,' Davidson was awarded a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, and in 2018, she won the award once again for 'The Young and the Restless.'
But the actress is by no means a one-trick-pony, however. She co-wrote her first novel with author Robert J. Randisi, a mystery set in the soap opera world titled Death in Daytime, and which released in October 2008. She has since followed that up with three sequels — Dial Emmy for Murder (2009), Diva Las Vegas (2010), and Swinging in the Rain (2011). Whatever venture Davidson decides to take up next, there's little doubt she will do so with the same poise and excellence that have punctuated her career thus far.