Ashley Abbott

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ashley Abbott

Eileen Davidson as Ashley Abbott (2011)
The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful character
Portrayed by Eileen Davidson (1982–88, 1999–)
Brenda Epperson (1988–95)
Shari Shattuck (1996–99)
Duration 1982–
First appearance June 1982
Introduced by William J. Bell (1982)
Bradley Bell (2007)
Crossover
appearances		 The Bold and the Beautiful
Classification Present, guest
Profile
Occupation Chemist, businesswoman
Home New York City, New York

Brenda Epperson as Ashley Abbott

Shari Shattuck as Ashley Abbott

Ashley Suzanne Abbott (formerly Lassiter, Newman, Bladeson, Howard, Carlton and McCall) is a fictional character from the American CBS Daytime soap operas, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful. She was most notably portrayed by Eileen Davidson, who originated the role in June 1982 before departing in 1988. Brenda Epperson portrayed Ashley from 1988 to 1995, before Shari Shattuck portrayed the role for the next three years, until Davidson's return in 1999. Davidson was nominated in 2003 for Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

The character is the daughter of Dina Mergeron and Brent Davis. She had relationships with various men throughout the years, most notably Steven Lassiter, Victor Newman, Blade Bladeson, Cole Howard and Brad Carlton, among several others. She is also mother to a daughter with Victor, Abby Newman. She is also known for her business contributions to her father's company, Jabot Cosmetics, much like her brother Jack. In 2006, it was announced that Davidson was to leave The Young and the Restless. She last aired on January 11, 2007. Shortly after, the character migrated to its sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. There, she became intertwined with the Forresters and Forrester Creations; she also had a romance with Ridge Forrester. She left The Bold and the Beautiful in 2008 and returned to The Young and the Restless; where she has since had relationships with Victor once again and Tucker McCall.

In May 2012, it was confirmed Davidson was fired from The Young and the Restless,[1][2] leading to her on-screen exit on August 3, 2012.[3] Davidson initially hadn't known why, but it was reported later that Sony Pictures Entertainment terminated her contract with the show for her to return to Days of our Lives as Kristen Blake, a character she had portrayed there over 14 years ago. Davidson was brought back briefly to The Young and the Restless in March 2013 for the soap's 40th anniversary.[4] Davidson has since been returning for sporadic guest appearances.

Casting

Eileen Davidson originated the role of Ashley Abbott in June 1982, until her first exit on December 2, 1988.[5] The role was immediately recast with Brenda Epperson, who portrayed Ashley for seven years from December 5, 1988 before leaving the role in December 1995.[6] Shari Shattuck then assumed the role from March 1996 to February 22, 1999, with Davidson returning on March 19, 1999.[7][8] Davidson took maternity leave in the summer of 2003.[9][10] In 2006, news broke that Davidson was to exit the soap opera, and she last aired on January 11, 2007.[11][12] She then carried the role of Ashley over to the show's sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. She last aired on The Bold and the Beautiful on July 4, 2008, before returning to The Young and the Restless on September 25, 2008.[13]

In May 2012, Davidson informed followers on her Twitter page that she had been let go from The Young and the Restless.[1][2][14] Davidson further confirmed she did not know why she was let go, but was seeing the positive light from it.[2] It was then announced by Nelson Branco that Sony Pictures Entertainment wanted Davidson on both The Young and the Restless and Days of our Lives, but that Y&R would not share the actress, leading to Sony terminating her contract with the soap. Thus it was announced that Davidson would reprise her role as Kristen Blake on the NBC soap.[15] Davidson made her onscreen exit on August 3, 2012.[3] Speaking about her upcoming return to Days and departure from the show with TV Guide, Davidson stated: "What happened to me at Y&R was shocking — I've been in this business a very long time and have never seen anything like it — but it's not like I haven't been fired before."[16] She also went on to say that "I was led to believe that I was fired, though it was a bad news-good news thing — the bad news is Y&R is firing you, the good news is Days wants you."[16] In February 2013, it was announced that Davidson would return to The Young and the Restless for "very special episodes" that would commemorate the show's 40th anniversary. In spite of this, the actress remained a part of Days of our Lives full-time.[17][18]

In August, following the announcement of Davidson's departure from Days of our Lives, it was announced that she would again reprise the role for three episodes airing in October,[19] later returning for additional guest appearances.[20]

Character development

Davidson describes Ashley as a "dynamic character".[21] She has been characterized as "sassy"[22] yet an "honorable heroine".[23] The Record describes Ashley as "headstrong".[24] She is recognized for her unluckiness and long-term suffering.[25] Davidson stated, "She is a heroine. So often she was being victimized by people and trying to always rise above that, and being driven insane and losing babies, etc."[25] In 1990, The Washington Times described Ashley as a "smart woman", known for her "level head" and "business success". Ashley is dedicated to her work and has a strong sense of family.[26] She is a beloved member of the Genoa City community.[27] Her passion for the family business, Jabot Cosmetics, cost Ashley her marriage to Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck).[22]

"Ashley has more humor lately. She's lightened up. Not so serious. No reason why a business woman has to be so straight. Better yet, she hasn't lost her femininity[28]

—Brenda Epperson, speaking of Ashley's character (1990)

Ashley has been involved in a number of different romantic relationships over her duration on the series. Her relationship with Brad Carlton (Don Diamont) came as a shock, due to Brad being beneath her socially. Epperson, who played Ashley at the time, was uncertain of Ashley and Brad's decision to get married.[28]

Davidson opined that a storyline in which Victor's son Adam Newman (Michael Muhney) gas lighted a pregnant Ashley in 2009 was payback for Ashley stealing Victor's sperm years ago to conceive Abby. She stated: "I think the character really suffered after she stole Victor’s sperm from Diane [...] After that, the viewers lost a lot of respect for Ashley. People wanted Ashley to pay for it. My opinion? Although last summer’s gaslighting storyline was used to propel a lot of other stories, it was also about making Ashley pay. Now we can close that entire chapter because Ashley paid. It was Ashley’s redemption".[25] Around this story arc, Tommy Garrett of Canyon News described Ashley as a "damsel in distress", stating that she had a "twisted mind" due to suffering a hysterical pregnancy after losing her unborn child at the hands of Adam.[29]

Following the death of John, Jack works desperately to remove his wife Gloria Abbott (Judith Chapman) from the family, even illegally making changes to John's will. Explaining Ashley's ambivalence towards the situation, Davidson stated: "Just because you don't like somebody doesn't mean you should do something illegal [...] The point is, their father loved her. And even if they don't like her, they have to honor what he wanted. Ashley never wanted to do anything that went against her father's wishes." The actress stated that Ashley "just wants" Jack to "do the right thing".[30]

Storylines

Ashley is born on April 29, 1960, to John Abbott, Sr. (Jerry Douglas) and Dina Abbott Mergeron (Marla Adams). Twenty-two years later, after completing college, Ashley returns to Genoa City and becomes a lab chemist at Jabot Cosmetics, the family company. She takes over as president of the company after her brother Jack Abbott (Terry Lester, later Peter Bergman) is shot at his wedding by the bride, Patty Williams. Ashley commences an unlucky streak of relationships; starting with French artist Eric Garrison, who slept with her mother, and Marc Mergeron, who is revealed to be her former step brother. Capitalizing on her unluckiness, it is revealed that Ashley's biological father is Brent Davis, not John, who remains unaware of his daughter's true paternity. Trauma leads Ashley to end up missing with amnesia, where she is found by business tycoon Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), who takes her back to Genoa City. Ashley has an affair with Victor, who is married to Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott). To spite Ashley, Nikki engages in an affair with Jack and tries to have Victor's brother, Matt Miller, unsuccessfully seduce Ashley. Ultimately, Victor chooses to be with Ashley, angering Nikki. When Ashley falls pregnant with Victor's child, Nikki is diagnosed with cancer, causing Victor to leave Ashley, who secretly has an abortion. Ashley suffers a mental breakdown, before marrying her psychiatrist Steven Lassiter (Rod Arrants). Steven's former patient Leanna Randolph (Barbara Crampton) stalks the couple and attempts to destroy Ashley. She writes a biography about Victor that exposes information about his dysfunctional relationship with Ashley. Steven is later shot and killed by an unstable patient.

Following a short affair with Brad Carlton (Don Diamont), Ashley marries Victor. The marriage suffers due to Nikki's ongoing problems as well as Victor's daughter Victoria Newman's (Heather Tom) constant schemes to break them up. After her divorce from Victor, Ashley falls in love with Jabot's mysterious photographer Blade Bladeson (Michael Tylo), and they get married. Rick's vengeful twin brother Rick Bladeson arrives in town, holds Blade hostage and impersonates him. Eventually, Ashley and Blade's marriage ends. She then falls romantically for Kurt Costner (Leigh McCloskey), who is shot saving her from muggers. The romance is short-lived, as Kurt leaves Ashley to be with Victor's ex-wife Hope Wilson (Signy Coleman). Ashley nearly engages in an affair with Victoria's husband Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck), an author who is writing a novel about her life, which requires them to spend time together. After Victoria's pregnancy results in a stillborn baby, Cole divorces her and marries Ashley. The marriage suffers a rough patch when Ashley travels to Madrid to help her step brother Rafael Delgado (Carlos Bernard), who is dealing with dangerous customers after selling them forged paintings. Cole assumes that she is having an affair with Rafael, unaware of who he is. During this, Victoria attempts to sabotage the marriage. Ultimately, upon Ashley's return to Genoa City, the couple divorce.

By 2000, one of Jack's former lovers and Victor's latest ex-wife, Diane Jenkins (Alex Donnelley) steals Victor's sperm from a sperm bank, though Nikki switches the sample with Jack's sperm. Ashley then steals Victor's sperm and impregnates herself, claiming that the father is a stranger; this was to make up for the abortion she had years prior. She then marries Brad Carlton and gives birth to Abby Carlton, who is raised to believe she is the daughter of Brad. Ashley is diagnosed with breast cancer, and feeling that she may not have time left, she confesses the truth about Abby's paternity to Victor. Brad and Ashley split, though are brought together when she becomes pregnant with their child. Stress over the battle between Jabot and Newman Enterprises causes her to leave town. While she is driving back, she is involved in a car accident, killing the unborn child. Victor is blamed for the child's death. Brad and Ashley's marriage continues to diminish and they are divorced. Tom Fisher (Roscoe Born), the dangerous ex-husband of John's wife Gloria Abbott (Judith Chapman), arrives in town. To protect his family, John shoots and kills Tom. Ashley covers this up by confessing to the crime herself, though John soon confesses himself, and is jailed for seven years. Gloria contaminates Ashley's new line of beauty cream, which causes a woman to die. John suffers a heart attack following his release from prison, and passes away. Jack removes Gloria from the family, and Ashley leaves town to escape the drama. During a business trip in France, Ashley meets Rick Forrester (Kyle Lowder), and they have an affair. She later travels to Los Angeles to work with Forrester Creations as a lab chemist. Rick and Ashley decide to keep their affair a secret, and she commences a serious relationship with Ridge Forrester (Ronn Moss), whom she becomes engaged to. Ridge's attentiveness to his former love Brooke Logan (Katherine Kelly Lang) ends the engagement. Ashley then has a short-lived romance with Brooke's brother Storm (William deVry). Forrester Creations decide to rest their fragrance line, diminishing Ashley's role in the company. She leaves Los Angeles and moves to Europe with Abby.

Ashley locates a missing Victor in France, where they reunite. Upon their return to Genoa City as a couple, they are married and Ashley becomes pregnant. Victor's manipulative son Adam Newman (Michael Muhney) gas lights Ashley, making her believe that she is seeing the ghost of Victor's late wife, Sabrina Newman. Adam causes Ashley to fall down a staircase and lose her baby, though he convinces her that this was a dream, and she suffers from an hysterical pregnancy. Ashley checks herself into a psychiatric hospital where Sharon Newman (Sharon Case), also pregnant, is staying. After Ashley begins experiencing hysterical labor, Adam kidnaps Sharon's newborn baby Faith Newman and gives her to Ashley, with Sharon believing her baby was stillborn. In months that ensued, Sharon marries Adam and develops a close friendship with Ashley. Six months after Faith's birth, the doctor that delivered her (who was being blackmailed by Adam) confesses the truth through a letter. Ashley is forced to hand Faith over to Sharon and the child's father, Victor's son Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow). Ashley moves on with her life, and becomes engaged to wealthy tycoon Tucker McCall (Stephen Nichols). Prior to their engagement, he slept with Diane Jenkins (Maura West). They briefly split up due to Tucker's secret business plans with Jack, though reunite shortly thereafter. Abby accidentally runs over Tucker with her car, and Ashley protects her by taking the blame. She is accused of attempted murder and driving under the influence. All charges are ultimately dropped, and she marries Tucker. Their marriage quickly lands in divorce due to Tucker's business scheming as well as his affair with a previous lover, Harmony Hamilton. Ashley is later forced out as CEO of Jabot by Jack, and Ashley decides to move to New York City with Traci. She returns briefly a few months later for the wedding of Victor and Nikki. Months later, Ashley returns for the funeral of her niece Delia Abbott and comforts her brother Billy on his loss. She returns later to spend Thanksgiving with her family.

Reception

Jamey Giddens of Zap2it described Davidson as "one of Genoa City's most beloved heroines".[31] Upon learning of Davidson's return to the role in 1999, Candace Havens of the McCook Daily Gazette declared that it was her who made Ashley "one of the most popular characters on soaps".[32] In October 1999, when all of the Abbott siblings and their father John were together again, the Orlando Sentinel wrote: "In the meantime, having the entire Abbott clan together [...] is like a joyous family reunion for longtime viewers".[22] John Goudas of The Gadsden Times was favorable of Epperson's performance two years into her duration, stating that she "is holding her own", though he noted her to be "Eileen's double". He stated that the front-burner status of Ashley and Brad's romantic storyline demonstrated that producer William J. Bell "has full confidence in [Epperson]".[28]

The character has had a rivalry with Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) for many years; a poll run in 2008 by website Daytime Confidential asking, "Who would win a cat fight, Nikki Newman or Ashley Abbott?", saw 63% of voters say Nikki would win, with 37% saying Ashley would win.[33] Giddens was favorable of Ashley running Jabot Cosmetics in 2008, writing: "Okay this has to stop. My heart simply can't take it. It's like the effects of yo-yo dieting. Everytime I sincerely think I am done with this genre, something like The Young and the Restless heiress Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson) announcing that she, not Lil' Billy (Billy Miller), not Cruella de Bardwell (Judith Chapman) or Gary Ewing (Ted Shackelford) and no, not even Smilin' Jack (Peter Bergman) will be running Jabot Cosmetics, happens."[34] In 2009, Jillian Bowe (also of Zap2it) wondered if Ashley was "insane in the membrane" due to her hearing a crying child around the Newman ranch, writing: "Is "The Beauty" starting to crack up? Certainly looks that when some freaky things take place on The Young and the Restless."[35]

In 2010, Tommy Garrett of Canyon News praised a scene in which Ashley discovers a sex tape made by her spoiled daughter, Abby, that was posted online. Garrett wrote: "Davidson’s performance is spot on as the mother Ashley who is fed up. The tears of despair and exhaustion came streaming down Davidson’s beautiful face in character, while her spit-fire daughter didn’t give a damn."[36] Giddens later wrote that he thought it was "ridiculous" and "outlandish" to make Ashley pregnant with Victor's child in 2009.[37] Also in 2010, Neeketa Borden of Zap2it created a list of "curiously quirky couplings", with Ashley and Tucker listed as an "honorable mention".[38] In a separate review, Garrett credited Davidson as one of the "powerful performers who daytime TV could not exist without having".[39] When the truth was going to come out that Faith Newman wasn't Ashley's child, Giddens wrote: "Lord, I hope this doesn't make my Ashley Abbott go cuckoo for Cocoa Puffs again!"[40] Mike Jubinville of Zap2it wrote that the character's relationship with Neil Winters (Kristoff St. John) had been a "slow burn, one going on for weeks, but one that is hard to miss. It has the ingredients of a hot romance."[41] Upon Davidson's firing in 2012, Giddens wrote: "I am sincerely hoping the brass at Y&R can't possibly be this stupid, but if they are, Gary Tomlin better blow up Davidson's phone STAT about a Days of Our Lives return!"[31]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Eileen Davidson Out at Y&R". Soap Opera Digest (American Media, Inc.). May 9, 2012. Retrieved May 9, 2012. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Y&R's Davidson Confirms Exit". Soap Opera digest (American Media, Inc.). May 10, 2012. Retrieved May 10, 2012. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Out Abbott Out, Two In!". CBS Soaps In Depth. Bauer Publishing. August 13, 2012. p. 13. 
  4. ↑ Logan, Michael (February 20, 2013). "Exclusive: Eileen Davidson on Her Return to The Young and the Restless". TVGuide.com. Retrieved March 2, 2013. 
  5. ↑ Newcomb, Roger (December 5, 2013). "Today in Soap Opera History (December 5)". welovesoaps.net. Retrieved December 5, 2013. 
  6. ↑ Newcomb, Roger (December 5, 2013). "Today in Soap Opera History (December 5)". welovesoaps.net. Retrieved December 5, 2013. 
  7. ↑ http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=4WseAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cMkEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5431,2673767&dq
  8. ↑ "Y&R Daily Recap Archives – 1999". Soap Central. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 
  9. ↑ Goldestein, Toby (May 4, 2013). "Volatile Chemistry For `Y&R'". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Media Services). Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  10. ↑ Kroll, Dan J. (April 6, 2003). "Davidson To Take Maternity Leave". Soap Central. Retrieved August 15, 2012. 
  11. ↑ "Eileen Davidson Fired! - The Young and the Restless News". She Knows Soaps. Atomic Online. November 12, 2006. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 
  12. ↑ "About Y&R: The Actors – Eileen Davidson". Soap Central. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 
  13. ↑ "Eileen Davidson returns full-time to The Young and the Restless". Soap Central. August 28, 2008. Retrieved June 4, 2012. 
  14. ↑ Masters, Megan (May 9, 2012). "Young and the Restless Star Fired, The Choice Unveils Celeb Dates and More!". TVLine. PMC. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  15. ↑ Fairman, Michael (June 26, 2012). "Eileen Davidson Rejoins Days of our Lives as Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks!". On-Air On-Soaps. Michael Fairman Soaps, Inc. Retrieved June 26, 2012. 
  16. ↑ 16.0 16.1 Logan, Michael (October 5, 2012). "Hot Scoop on Eileen Davidson's Return to Days of Our Lives". TV Guide. CBS Interactive. Retrieved October 11, 2012. 
  17. ↑ Giddens, Jamey (February 19, 2013). "SPOTTED: Eileen Davidson Back on Set at Young and Restless!". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved February 19, 2013. 
  18. ↑ "DAYS Fave Returns To Y&R". Soap Opera Digest (American Media, Inc.). February 19, 2013. Retrieved February 19, 2013. 
  19. ↑ "Eileen Davidson Back To Y&R!". Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. August 28, 2013. Retrieved August 30, 2013. 
  20. ↑ SOD (October 10, 2013). "More Y&R Dates For Eileen Davidson!". Soap Opera Digest. Soapoperadigest.com. Retrieved October 10, 2013. 
  21. ↑ http://jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20070203/ent/ent3.html
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 "Jerry Douglas Of `Yr' Will Be Around For A Bit". Orlando Sentinel. Tribune Media Services. October 16, 1999. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  23. ↑ DiLauro, Janet. "Eileen Davidson on Resurrecting Manipulative Meanie Kristen". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved August 9, 2013. 
  24. ↑ Novakovich, Lilana (April 6, 1996). "Eileen Davidson knows her way around a soap". The Record (Metroland Media Group). ISSN 0824-5150. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 Fairman, Michael (October 18, 2012). "The Eileen Davidson Interview – Days of our Lives". On-Air On-Soaps. Michael Fairman Soaps, Inc. Retrieved August 9, 2013. 
  26. ↑ "Will marriage be disaster for `Restless' Ashley?". The Washington Times (Washington, D.C.: Sun Myung Moon). October 1, 1990. ISSN 0732-8494. j0000qpr. 
  27. ↑ Masters, Megan (July 5, 2013). "Soaps Scoop: Axed Y&R Star Eileen Davidson Returning to Days of Our Lives". TVLine. PMC. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  28. ↑ 28.0 28.1 28.2 Goudas, John (September 30, 1999). "Epperson is holding her own". The Gadsden Times (Halifax Media Group). Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  29. ↑ Garrett, Tommy (September 13, 2009). "Leading Ladies Gold Standard, Women On the Edge". Canyon News. Glen Kelly. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  30. ↑ Hinsey, Carolyn (December 29, 2007). "'Bold and the Beautiful': Crossover sister act". New York Daily News. Mortimer Zuckerman. Retrieved August 16, 2013. 
  31. ↑ 31.0 31.1 Giddens, Jamey (May 9, 2012). "RUMOR REPORT: Is Eileen Davidson on Her Way OUT at The Young and the Restless?!". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  32. ↑ Havens, Candace (March 26, 1999). "Soap Talk". McCook Daily Gazette (Rust Communications). Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  33. ↑ Kerr, Luke (November 14, 2008). "Smackdown: Nikki Newman vs. Ashley Abbott". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  34. ↑ Giddens, Jamey (December 4, 2008). "I am Abbott, Hear Me Roar". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  35. ↑ Bowe, Jillian (April 22, 2009). "Y&R's Ashley Abbott: Insane In the Membrane?". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  36. ↑ Garrett, Tommy (July 11, 2010). "Leading Ladies, Raging Hormones". Canyon News. Glen Kelly. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  37. ↑ Giddens, Jamey (March 6, 2009). "WTF?! Ashley's Pregnant With The Mustache's Baby on Y&R!". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  38. ↑ Borden, Nekeeta (July 21, 2010). "Three Things to be Young and Restless About Right Now!". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  39. ↑ Garrett, Tommy (March 7, 2010). "Leading Ladies, Look Of Deception". Canyon News. Glen Kelly. Retrieved August 11, 2013. 
  40. ↑ Giddens, Jamey (March 12, 2010). "Y&R's Ashley to Sharon: "Trick You Can't Have My Baby!"". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 
  41. ↑ Jubinville, Mike (January 15, 2010). "Do Ashley and Neil Have Fireworks on Y&R?". Zap2it. Tribune Media Services. Retrieved August 12, 2013. 

External links

Cast
Crew
Families
Related articles
The Young and the Restless characters
 
Current characters
Recurring characters
Notable previous
characters
Production crew
Creators
Related articles
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike; additional terms may apply for the media files.