CBS Soap Opera Stars Honor The Late Lee Phillip Bell

Lee Phillip Bell, a soap opera creator and television pioneer, has died. Now, actors from the two soaps she and her late husband William J. Bell co-created, The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, are paying tribute to the daytime icon.

Tributes To The Legendary Lee Phillip Bell

“We are all devastated by the passing of Lee Phillip Bell,” posted Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki, YR) on Twitter. “A television pioneer and powerhouse in her own right, she elevated daytime television in co-creating ‘The Young and the Restless’ with her equally iconic husband, Bill Bell. We sadly mourn our true matriarch.”

“Lee…was smart, funny, always smiling or laughing, determined and strong,” wrote Katherine Kelly Lang on Instagram. “She always made me feel good when I was around her. She was so warm and caring…We will miss you Lee! You had an incredible life. My thoughts are with Brad, Bill, and Lauralee and the rest of the Bell family.”

“I will never forget was receiving a call from @bradleybell a few weeks after I had been airing as $Bill Spencer,” recalls Don Diamont (Bill, BB; ex-Brad, YR). “Brad said, ‘Your biggest fan wants to talk to you.’ …the next thing I knew Lee was on the phone saying, ‘I AM your biggest fan! I love what you’re doing with Bill, and just keep doing it!’ …that it brought tears to my eyes.”

“RIP to the great Lee Bell,” posted Jess Walton (Jill) on Twitter. “One of the finest women I have ever known. A kind, gentle and very smart lady.💙 to her children and grandchildren and to all who knew her.”

“[Lee] produced countless documentaries on social issues,” wrote Michelle Stafford (Phyllis) on Instagram. “I always noticed that [her husband] Bill would get the accolades (deservingly so) and Lee, with her quiet strength would stand right beside him. She didn’t need praise nor did Bill but she was equally responsible for The Young and the Restless being such a huge success. She raised three amazing children. And I’m telling you guys Bill Jr, Brad and Lauralee are the best human beings out there. So personable, so real and they have every opportunity to be the opposite and they never ever have been. THAT was Lee’s doing.”

“Thank you Mrs. Bell for the life you led and everything you put into it,” wrote Bryton James (Devon) on Instagram. “My life wouldn’t be the same without you.”

BB original cast member Joanna Johnson (ex-Caroline/ex-Karen) tweeted: “So sad to hear of the passing of Lee Phillip Bell, a class act in every way & always so kind2me as was William Bell. I’m 4ever grateful for the amazing opportunity they gave me to play Caroline & Karen on @BandB_CBS Love to their kids, also class acts, @LauraleeB4real, Bill Jr & Brad.”

The above is a mere sampling of the daytime stars who are speaking out about Bell. Read the following posts below from other players in the daytime world. Soap Hub joins the community in paying tribute to this remarkable lady.