Eileen Davidson
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Eileen Davidson (born on June 15, 1959 in Artesia, California) is an American soap opera actress and former model.
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[edit] Personal life
Davidson started her career as a model in Mexico City and California, eventually adding commecials and print work in Europe before turning to acting.
Davidson has been married three times: Her first husband was actor Christopher "Chip" Mayer, to whom she was married from (1985-1986). Her second husband was former General Hospital and Port Charles actor Jon Lindstrom, to whom she was married from 1997 to 2000. She reportedly ended the marriage after meeting the man who would become her third husband, actor Vince Van Patten, by whom she has one child.
[edit] Acting
She originated the role of Ashley Abbott Carlton on The Young and the Restless in March 1982. The character of Ashley became a front-burner character, and Davidson became an integral part of the show. She decided to leave the show in February 1989.
Davidson first tried her hand at primetime television; unfortunately, her show, Broken Badges (1990-1991), flopped. 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 was next offered the role of Kristen Blake DiMera on Days of our Lives in May 1993. As originally conceived, Kristen was a heroine, who had an Achilles' heel in that the show's supervillain, Stefano, had adopted her and raised her. Head writer 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 for her to play (Sister Mary Moira, Thomas, and Penelope). Davidson enjoyed the challenge, but after playing multiple characters, she decided to take a breather and leave the show. Her character, Kristen, was supposedly killed by Susan, although it was shown later that she left the country, to possibly taunt the citizens of Salem once more. All of the related characters were subsequently written out in April 1998.
After a year-long vacation, she returned to her role on The Young and the Restless in March 1999. In November 2006, Davidson was fired from Y&R after more than 15 years on the soap. Her last airdate will be January 11, 2007.
Ken Corday called Eileen Davidson about a week before before she was fired from Y&R, to get permission to use a picture of her on the show.
[edit] Transsexual rumors
Rumors have surrounded Davidson for many years that she is a transsexual woman. According to published reports, the rumor dates as far back as 1985, when Davidson was first on The Young and the Restless. Her physical appearance during that period of the Eighties - angular features and thick eyebrows - lent possible credence to the rumors.
She spoke out against the rumors in 1999: "People swear they saw me on Donahue talking about my surgery. But it was Tula, who has long blond hair and angular features like I do. I never appeared on Donahue, and I am not a transsexual." (see quote).
Despite the fact that she gave birth in 2003, the rumor has still circulated.
[edit] Roles
- The Young and the Restless - Ashley Abbott (1982-1989; 1999-2007)
- Days of Our Lives - Penelope Kent (1998)
- Days of Our Lives - Thomas Banks (1997-1998)
- Days of Our Lives - Sister Mary Moira Banks (1997-1998)
- Days of Our Lives - Susan Banks (1996-1998)
- Days of Our Lives - Kristen Blake DiMera (1993-1998)
- Santa Barbara - Kelly Capwell #4 (1991-1993)
- Broken Badges - J.J. 'Bullet' Tingreedes (1990)
- The House on Sorority Row - Vicki (1983)
- Goin' All the Way - BJ (1982)
