Y&R Family Reunited To Help Jerry Douglas Celebrate His Birthday

Y&R fan favorites recently gathered to pay tribute to one of their own on his birthday. Jerry Douglas, who portrayed Abbott patriarch, John Abbott, celebrates turning 89 later this year.

Jerry Douglas and His Y&R Family Reunited

Actress Lauralee Bell (Christine Williams) shared photos of the Y&R cast reunited for an early surprise party marking Jerry’s birthday. Although the show rarely mentions it, Christine was an Abbott step-sibling briefly. Her mom Jessica Blair (Rebecca Street), had a short marriage to John.

Eileen Davidson (Ashley Abbott), Beth Maitland (Traci Abbott), and Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott) attended the event, rounding out the Abbott family. Notably absent from the family was Jason Thompson (Billy Abbott), but he didn’t start on the show until several years after Jerry left. Still, Jason sent his love in a reply, writing, “Amazing. Happy Birthday, Jerry!!”

Lauren Fenmore Baldwin’s portrayer Tracey Bregman and former Y&R associate producer Josh O’Connell rounded out the attendees at the party hosted by Davidson and Bergman.

Maitland also shared one of the shots from the celebration on her Instagram, and in the comments, she indicated how much she loved the event, writing, “@lauralee_bell loved sitting next to you and catching up!!!! Miss you!!” Bell replied, “@bethmaitlanddqb, I LOVED it too!”

Early Surprise Party

It looks like everyone enjoyed the early surprise party for the Y&R patriarch. Douglas last appeared on the show as John’s spirit to Jack in 2019, but the character passed away in August 2006.

Jerry Douglas’s wife, Kym Douglas, replied with a poignant comment on the Y&R family. “This group, this show, this family!!!! There will never be another like it,” she wrote. “Thank you for being so kind and loving to my hubby. He adores all of you and loved playing your father #JohnAbbott and the Patriarch of @youngandrestlesscbs it was and still his family. We love you very much,” she finished.

What are some of your favorite John Abbott memories? Let us know in the comments below. The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Genoa City, check out all the latest that’s been posted on Y&R spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.