The Young and the Restless Star Lauralee Bell Honors Her Mother Lee Phillip Bell

A year ago, on February 25, 2020, Lee Phillip Bell, co-creator of both The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful, passed away. Now, her daughter, Lauralee Bell (Christine, YR), is paying tribute to her beloved mother.

Lauralee Bell Honors Her Mom

“My mom left me this special Christian Dior dress that she was photographed in for her work,” shared Bell, who can be seen in an Instagram post below modeling the same dress her mother once wore. “Instead of letting it sit in the closet, I made a fun memory❣️ Today is the 1 year anniversary of her passing. ❤️ Miss you! @dior #vintage #vintagedior #mothersanddaughters #yellowflowers #missourtalks #twinning.”

Bell recreated her mother’s pose in the photo down to holding a yellow flower as her mom did in the original picture.

While Lauralee’s late father, William J. Bell, the creator of YR and BB, is known to soap fans, it was her mother who was the celebrity in Chicago where the Bells resided up until 1986 when they moved to Los Angeles to start up BB. Lee’s family owns Phillip’s Flowers in Chicago and she was invited one day to do a floral presentation on a local TV show.

That appearance led to an unplanned career in broadcasting that lasted from the 1950s to the 1980s. Lee hosted daily talk shows including The Lee Phillip Show and Noonbreak and also produced and hosted documentaries on important social issues including rape, divorce, and other topical matters.

In 2007, the Daytime Emmys honored Lee with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Lee’s career is detailed in the biography of her late husband, The Young and Restless Life of William J. Bell. Lauralee’s co-stars and daytime pals weighed in with supportive comments in her post.

“Incredible photos!! Love that!!” wrote Maria Arena Bell, Lauralee’s sister-in-law, former head writer/executive producer, YR.

“Awww this is soooo lovely!!!❤️❤️❤️,” posted original BB cast member Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke). Adds Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, YR): “I am crying. I cannot get over this this is so beautiful!! ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️.”

Check out the post and additional comments below. The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.