February 2026

Eileen Davidson originated the role of Jabot Cosmetics executive Ashley Abbott on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS in 1982. From 2007-2008, Davidson’s character appeared on the daytime drama series THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL.

Davidson won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 2018; it was her second Daytime Emmy nomination and first win for playing Ashley Abbott (her previous nomination was in 2003). In 2014, she won the same award for her portrayal of Kristen DiMera on “Days of Our Lives.” She was also nominated in the Lead Actress category in 2025.

Portraying five characters at one time on “Days of Our Lives” earned Davidson a place in daytime television history and a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her performances. Other credits include Kelly Capwell on the daytime drama “Santa Barbara,” the primetime television series “Broken Badges” and the telefilm “Sharing Richard” with Ed Marinaro. From 2014-2017 she was a cast member on the Bravo reality series “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.”

Eileen made several appearances as Kristin DiMera on Peacock’s “Days of Our Lives” spinoff “Beyond Salem” and appeared in the holiday movies “Holiday in the Vineyard” and “Middleton Christmas”.

Eileen starred in the film “Walk to Vegas,” written by her husband, Vincent Van Patten, who also has a starring role. Her other feature film credits include starring roles in “Eternity” with Jon Voight and Armand Asssante, “Easy Wheels” with Paul Le Mat and the horror film cult favorite “House on Sorority Row.”

She has written four mystery novels about a crime-solving soap actress named Alexis Peterson, Death in Daytime, which debuted in November 2008, followed by Dial Emmy for Murder in June 2009, Diva Las Vegas in July 2010 and Swinging in the Rain in 2011. She is currently adapting the novels for television.

Eileen is active with a number of community organizations and charitable causes. Dresses she wears on the red carpet are sold and the proceeds, along with a matching donation from Eileen, are given to No Kid Hungry, an organization fighting child hunger across the United States. In 2022, No Kid Hungry honored Eileen with their Artistic Integrity Award for her work for the organization.

A Southern California native, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband; her son, Jesse; and two stepsons, Duke and Vinny.

When Davidson is not working, she surfs, snow skis, scuba dives, plays piano, paints and enjoys writing and playing the electric guitar.

Her birthday is June 15. Follow her on X @eileen_davidson and on Instagram @eileendavidsonofficial.