Young and the Restless’ Doug Davidson Marks 43 Years Since Paul Debuted

Daytime Emmy winner Doug Davidson is celebrating a big milestone! The actor debuted 43 years ago this month on The Young and the Restless as Paul Williams.

Doug Davidson’s Momentous Occasion

“Paul Williams and Doug Davidson made their #YR debut on 5/23/78, and Genoa City was never the same. Happy 43rd Dougie!” read a tweet from YR’s official Twitter account. The actor also weighed in on this momentous occasion with a tweet of his own, thanking his 100,000+ Twitter followers and saying how much he appreciates their support. The actor’s social media account was flooded with supportive posts.

“Honestly gang, I had a fabulous run and I have no regrets,” the actor says. “The Bells were fabulous and I am forever grateful to the family. In terms of the future, I am fine and happy, although I’d love to see my [real-life] kids. Covid has made that impossible. Soon I hope. In closing, thank you so much.”

Davidson devotee Joy Mathys posted a photo of Davidson’s first script in which Paul was described as “U/5,” meaning he had five lines or less of dialogue in his debut. “I loved #YR when Paul had airtime and stories. @DougDavidsonYR, you added class, humanity and strength to the show. Thanks for all these years as Paul Williams and best wishes to you,” tweeted Mathys.

Veteran YR fans recall that Davidson was thrust into a major lead story with the George Rawlins murder mystery story in the late 1980s, around the time the show took the No. 1 position. George (Jonathan Farwell), an older man who befriended Paul, unaware that Paul had fallen in love with his wife Cassandra (Nina Arvesen) AKA “Sandy.” Paul went on the run after George’s murder and had to fake his death to flesh out the real killer — Adrian Hunter (Mark Derwin).

Over the years, Paul has been involved with Cassandra, Lauren (Tracey Bregman), Isabella (Eva Longoria), Nina (Tricia Cast), but his true love is, of course, Christine (Lauralee Bell). The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.