September 2026

 EILEEN DAVIDSON (Ashley Abbott on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS) Eileen Davidson started her career acting in USC and AFI student films which lead to her quickly leaving her day job to work in low budget feature films such as the cult classic, House on Sorority Row. After guest starring on several television series, Eileen originated the role of Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in 1982. She left the role in 1988 and starred in television and feature films before landing the role of Bullet Tingreedes in the Stephen Cannell series Broken Badges starring alongside Miguel Ferrer and Ernie Hudson. She returned to daytime television by taking over the role of Kelly Capwell on the critically acclaimed, Santa Barbara, starring opposite A Martinez. Days of Our Lives came calling and asked her to create the role of Kristen DiMera, daughter of the evil Stefano DiMera. During her tenure on “Days”, Davidson earned a place in daytime television history for playing simultaneously playing FIVE different characters. In 2003, Eileen received her first Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress. Eileen returned to The Young and The Restless in 1999 and reprised the role of Ashley Abbott, and received another Emmy nomination in 2003. She also jumped across the hall and played Ashley on The Bold and the Beautiful from 2006-2007. In 2013 Eileen returned to Days of Our Lives and was nominated again, this time winning her first Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress. During this time she also joined the cast of the reality show phenomenon, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, while also working on both The Young and the Restless, Days of Our Lives and the “Housewives”. In 2018 Eileen was nominated again and won her second Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress for playing Ashley Abbott. . 

She went on to again play Kristin DiMera on Peacock’s Days of our Lives stand alone movies, Beyond Salem and Days of Our Lives, A Very Salem Christmas. She appeared in the films, Holiday in the Vineyard, Middleton Christmas and Seven Days to Vegas written by and also starring her husband, Vince Van Patten as well as the critically acclaimed short film, Aftermath.Eileen was once again nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her work on The Young and the Restless in 2025. She has written several novels, “The Soap Opera Mystery” series that were published by Penguin Books. Eileen is active with a number of community organizations and charitable causes, including LA Mission, Project Angel Food and No Kid Hungry. In 2023, No Kid Hungry honored Eileen with their “Artistic Integrity Award” for her work with the organization. When Davidson is not acting or writing she’s an avid pickleball player. She also enjoys painting and playing piano and guitar. Her birthday is June 15. Follow her on Twitter: @eileen_davidson and on Instagram @eileendavidsonofficial