Lee Phillip Bell, co-creator of 'The Young and the Restless' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful', dies at 91
Lee Phillip Bell, who co-created popular soap operas like 'The Young and the Restless’ and 'The Bold and The Beautiful', passed away on Tuesday, February 25, at the age of 91.
The Chicago-born Lee co-created two of the most iconic soap operas of daytime television along with her late husband William J Bell, according to a report by Variety.
Her work received recognition in 1975 when Bell won a Daytime Emmy for outstanding drama series for 'The Young and the Restless’. Later, she also received the Daytime Emmy's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007.
Her illustrious work in daytime television aside, Bell's career had kicked off as a broadcast journalist in Chicago. She went on to host and produce her own show called 'The Lee Phillip Show' that ran on CBS for over 30 years.
Lee's career also saw her producing and narrating several award-winning specials and documentaries, most of them pegged on social concerns revolving around foster kids, rape, children and divorce, and babies born to women in prison.
During the show's run, Lee's list of interviewees included presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and actors like Judy Garland, Clint Eastwood and Jerry Lewis.
Lee had also interviewed musicians such as The Beatles and The Rolling Stones and TV and stage stars Lucille Ball, Jack Benny and Oprah Winfrey. Throughout her career, Lee had received 16 regional (Chicago) Emmy awards and numerous Golden Mike awards.
The news of Lee's passing was announced by her children, William James Bell, Bradley Phillip Bell and Lauralee Bell Martin in a statement.
They wrote: "Our mother was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother. Gracious and kind, she enriched the lives of all who knew her. We will miss her tremendously."
She is also survived by daughters-in-law Maria Anne Bell and Ambassador Colleen Bell, her son-in-law Scott Martin and eight grandchildren.
