Lauralee Bell

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Lauralee Kristen Bell (born December 22, 1968) is an American soap opera actress. She was born in Chicago, Illinois. She attended The Latin School of Chicago.

The daughter of soap opera creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, she was offered a bit role as a model, Christine "Cricket" Blair, on the Bells' show The Young and the Restless in 1983. Over time, her role expanded and she was offered a contract in 1986.

Naysayers argue that Lauralee Bell isn't as talented as her co-stars, and allege she only received her job through nepotism. Evidence supporting this argument is that she has received the cream of the crop in terms of storylines and love interests, which include Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) and Paul Williams (Doug Davidson). In 1989, co-star Terry Lester (who played Jack Abbott) left the program and took the rare step of complaining in the press that Bell had been given excess airtime at the expense of him and other actors.

Over time, her character matured from a model into a Legal Aid lawyer. Her character also dropped the childish epithet of "Cricket", especially after her rival Phyllis (Michelle Stafford) turned it into a pun against her, calling her "the Bug". In January 2005, Bell asked to be released from her contract and she only appears on a recurring basis.

Lauralee married Scott Martin on October 4, 1997. They have a son, Christian James Martin, born on January 17, 2001 and a daughter Samantha Lee Martin, born on October 28, 2002. Lauralee runs a boutique, On Sunset.

[edit] Roles

Past Sins - Donna Erickson (2006)
Carpool Guy - Hope (2005)
The Young And The Restless - Christine "Cricket" Blair Williams (1986 - December 2000, June 2001, November 2001, June to September 2002, January 2003 to January 2005) [recurring basis: 1983-1986, January 2005-present]
Pacific Blue - Christine (1999)
Match Game - Panelist (1998)
Walker, Texas Ranger - Kim Rivers (1998)
Diagnosis Murder - "Herself" (1995)