Young & Restless Family Receives an Unexpected Message From the Late, Great Jeanne Cooper
Thursday, March 2nd, 2023
An emotional time was had by all… see for yourself.
As Young & Restless turns fabulous fifty, the celebrations continued on the CBS studios lot as stars gathered for a very special unveiling. It was an emotional time as can be seen in the clip shared by none other than Lauralee Bell, daughter of the daytime drama’s late co-creators, Bill and Lee Phillip Bell.
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The occasion was the digging up — and opening — of a Young & Restless time capsule buried on the soap’s 25th anniversary — you guessed it and/or did the math — 25 years ago!
Bell told her followers, “Today #YR’s love from 25 years ago was dug up in our time capsule! So fun to have some of the cast around to open it and see the first script, Y&R books, cast photos over the years and many other things.”
Among those other things was something incredibly precious to the Young & Restless family: “A sweet message from Jeanne [Cooper].” The beloved actress, of course, played Katherine Chancellor and passed away not long after the show’s 40th anniversary, in May 2013, after a battle with COPD.
We’re certain it was an emotional time for all of those present, which included Eric Braeden (Victor), Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki), and Kate Linder (Esther), who donned her former maid’s uniform and took up her feather duster to clean off the time capsule before the big moment.
Bell, of course, would have been particularly moved, as among the buried treasure were “some words that my dad spoke 25 years ago saying how this is all possible because of the team we make… cast, crew, fans!” Ain’t it the truth!
Castmates and former castmates who weren’t on hand, chimed in, in the comment section. Tracey Bregman (Lauren) was “so bummed” to have missed it, and Scott Reeves, who played Ryan McNeil exclaimed, “Wow!!! I vividly remember being there the day it was buried!! So cool!”
You can share in the special event by watching the clip below:
As Young & Restless celebrates, join in by admiring the stars’ 50th anniversary portraits in the photo gallery below.
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Image: Sonja Flemming/CBS
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<p>Abby always looks fabulous, even slogging at Society, as does her portrayer, Melissa Ordway, who dazzles in a cold shoulder sequined gown in blush. Plus, we can’t get over those earrings — <em>so</em> cute!</p>
Image: Sonja Flemming/CBS
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<p>The black sheep of the Newman clan, Adam actor Mark Grossman cuts a dashing figure in a tailored suit of the same hue.</p>
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<p>Kelsey Wang, in a swath of pink silk looks every bit the part she plays — the newest member of the illustrous Abbott family.</p>
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<p><em>Young & Restless’s</em> Hilary <em>and</em> Amanda, Michele Morgan is perfection is this baby pink sequined peekaboo gown.</p>
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<p>Pretty in purple and bejeweled drop earrings, Davidson is the picture of elegance. We love the saucy expression — it’s giving Ashley’s confident vibe.</p>
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<p>Can’t get enough of this yummy blue hue <em>or</em> the va-va-voom look Silver is dropping in this smoulder-y photo. More Audra please!</p>
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<p>Like a fine wine… that’s the color of Thompson’s velvet suit and it looks fantastic on him!</p>
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<p>Purple plaid?! Don’t mind if we do. We’d love to see Floyd’s Chance Chancellor decked out like this onscreen!</p>
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<p>Strappy and sexy is the look for Melissa Claire Egan’s 50th anniversary portrait. Dazzling!</p>
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<p>Wow. Just wow. We’d almost forgotten how sultry Hendrickson can look given her character has been working and mom-ing so long!</p>
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<p>Bell is giving movie star glam in this breathtakingly beautiful pink number. Imagine if Danny saw Cricket wearing this!</p>
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<p>Daniel is such a casual character that we rarely get to see him dressed up to the nines like this — so, thanks <em>Y&R</em> 50, for giving us a glimpse of gussied up Graz!</p>
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<p>Midnight blue and black are just the absolute perfect colors for this man. What a suit! What a sharp look!</p>
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<p>Susan Walters stuns in this cold shoulder metallic gown. The earrings really complete the look. Maybe Diane can borrow it to head out on the town on Jack’s arm!</p>
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<p>Feminine and fabulous! Sarpy looks phenomenal in this blush gown that shows just a peep of her gorgeous gams.</p>
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<p>Esther’s portrayer left the feather duster behind to pose in this glamorous golden gown. La Linder!</p>
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<p>Things certainly aren’t black and white in Jack’s world right now, but the color combo just pops on Bergman, who is beyond dapper in his photo.</p>
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<p>Walton is <em>Young & Restless</em> royalty, which explains the vibe she’s giving in this glam gown in navy blue. Flair!</p>
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<p>We don’t see Kevin nearly as often as we’d like what with Rikaart doing double-duty between <em>Young & Restless</em> and <em>Days</em>, but the busy actor looks flawless in his velvet jacket and patterned bow tie.</p>
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<p>Hip and handsome, Kyle’s portrayer Michael Mealor is a walking swoon-alert in this ensemble.</p>
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<p>The lady of the hour, Bregman just celebrated 40 years playing Lauren Fenmore on <em>Young & Restless</em>. As usual, she’s nothing short of a smoke show in her portrait marking the show’s 50th.</p>
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<p>Khalil’s dusky pink gown showed off her fabulous figure to its best advantage. Deep V, elegant drop earrings… what’s not to love?!</p>
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<p>Grimes is giving ‘goddess’ in this dazzling gown that may be the perfect hue to offset her red hair. Oh, the style!</p>
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<p>Distinguished as all get out, LeBlanc threw a smoulder-y look in the camera’s direction as he posed for his 50th anniversary portrait.</p>
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<p>Perched on a prop and looking casually <em>amazing</em>, Dominic shows us just why the ladies sit up and pay attention when Nate walks into a room.</p>
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<p>This exquisite black suit shows off Morrow’s great physique, and brings out his blue eyes. So. Freakin’. Handsome.</p>
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<p>Scott looks ready for one of Nikki’s glamorous galas in this golden gown that just happens to match the lowlights in her lovely locks. Exquisite.</p>
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<p>It’s no wonder everyone’s flocking to the Glam Club — just look at the dishy proprietor!</p>
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<p>Just as her character Phyllis stands out from the crowd, so does her portrayer. Stafford lights up the shoot in her two-tone gown with a twist.</p>
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<p>We’re not sure what to call this color — eggplant? sepia? purplish brown? — all that matters is that it looks absolutely stunning on Courtney Hope.</p>
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<p>We’re not sure which is more breathtaking — Sharon Case or the gold off-the-shoulder gown. Kidding. Of course, it’s Case, but the dress is a show-stopper too. Just goes to show our girl should be out of the coffee shop more</p>
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<p>Lovely Lanier is giving Grecian goddess in her gown and curls. So very pretty!</p>
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<p>Fairbanks is off the charts gorgeous in this slinky black gown. Wowza!</p>
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<p>The heart of <em>Young & Restless</em>, Maitland looks just beautiful in her 50th anniversary portrait!</p>
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<p>St. John is debonair as all get out in this black ensemble. Tucker could never.</p>
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<p>In a tux fit for the soap’s king, <em>Young & Restless’s</em> Braeden gave his best signature Victor Newman glare in one shot, and softened for the next. Love it.</p>
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