Lee Phillip Bell and Lauralee Bell
A year ago, Lee Phillip Bell, co-creator of The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful passed away. Now, her daughter, Lauralee Bell, who plays Christine on YR, has taken to social media to honor her mother on the anniversary of her birth.
“Happy Birthday sweet mom!” Bell posted on Instagram. You can see in the post below side-by-side photographs of Lee with young Lauralee and Lauralee in modern-day wearing her mother’s outfit. “This is another dress I have in my closet that my mom left me as a beautiful reminder of her…and she loved #yellowflowers #momsbirthday #heavenlybirthday #vintageelizabetharden #vintage #vintagedress #twinning #momanddaughter #memories #missyoupal.”
“Happy Birthday to your beautiful mom in heaven and I love the dress!! Sending you so much love,” wrote Tracey Bregman (Lauren). Other castmates chimed in with well-wishes on Bell’s post including Melissa Ordway (Abby), Melissa Claire Egan (Chelsea), Jessica Collins (ex-Avery), and Bryton James (Devon).
Kate Linder (Esther) posted her own tribute to Lee, using a photo from Lee’s last appearance on YR. She popped up on-screen on the series’ 11,000th episode which aired on September 1, 2016. Lee shared a scene with Lauralee and Doug Davidson (Paul). The Williams were having dinner at the Genoa City Athletic Club and Lee played a patron at another table who toasted the couple.
“I remember that part in the soap like it was yesterday,” wrote @pearl_selby on Linder’s post. “Paul and Christine were on a date night and this lovely lady (Lee) sent them over a drink…Lauralee’s real-life Mom, how awesome.”
“Thinking of you @leebell50 #missingyoualways @youngandrestlesscbs #yr @cbstv,” posted Linder. “She cherished all her fun times with you,” Lauralee shared with Linder, who responded, “@lauralee_bell that means so much to me! Thank you for telling me that!”
Prior to moving to Los Angeles with her family in 1986, Lee spent decades in Chicago as a talk show hostess and documentarian. She was a pioneer in bringing social issues to viewers via the TV airwaves, doing shows on women’s prisons, divorce, and rape. Lee’s late husband, William J. Bell, creator of YR and BB, relied on her expertise in social issue topics when he brought important topics to light on YR and BB. The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes.
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