Thursday night, Kate Linder received very special honors from the Hollywood Museum to celebrate her 40th anniversary as Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless.
Who knew that after Kate said the lines, “Dinner is Served” in what was to be a one-line one-day appearance on the CBS daytime soap opera, thst she would end up remaining on the show for four decades!
As fans of the iconic soap opera know, Linder’s Esther was the dutiful and trusting maid to the Duchess of Genoa City, Katherine Chancellor (the late Jeanne Cooper). The two shared many memorable scenes and with Jess Walton (Jill) too. In addition, Esther’s familial ties grew wider when her grown-up daughter, “Kate” now known as Chloe (Elizabeth Hendrickson), came back to Genoa City several years ago.
At the Hollywood Museum event in Linder’s honor, Esther’s costumes were now part of a new exhibit: from her her maid’s uniform and cap, and the same feather duster her character has used on the soap opera for decades. The exhibit also features Kate’s first-ever script from the show and art taken of her in Esther’s maid uniform throughout the years.

Photo: JPI
Those speaking at the event included: longtime Y&R castmate, Sharon Case (Sharon) and former castmate, currently appearing on B&B, Sean Kanan (Deacon).

Photo: JPI
Other Y&R stars in attendance included: Bryton James (Devon Hamilton), Mishael Morgan (Amanda Sinclair), and Robert Newman (Ashland Locke) and Michael Learned (Ex-The Waltons, who also played Katherine Chancellor and filled in for Jeanne Cooper on Y&R). In addition, GH favorite Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) was part of the event, and many others.
Take a look at some of the moments from Kate’s big night in Hollywood from the red carpet to the speeches in the photo gallery below.
Now, share your congrats to Kate for 40 years as Y&R’s Esther Valentine in the comment section.
Kate gets nothing but hugs from Y&R castmate, Mishael Morgan.
Soap veteran Robert Newman shows up for Kate's big event and is one of her newest co-stars on Y&R.
The Young and the Restless longtime heroine, Sharon Case.
GH's Carolyn Hennesy strikes a pose with Kate.
B&B and Studio City's Sean Kanan and wife Michele on point to celebrate Kate.
TV icon, Michael Learned ("The Waltons") worked with Kate when she subbed for Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor on Y&R.
Inside the Hollywood Museum the tributes to Kate began - one of them from Sharon Case.
Sean Kanan was also a special speaker at the presentation honoring Kate and her Genoa City alter-ego, Esther Valentine.
The Y&R gang surrounding Kate: Sharon Case, Mishael Morgan and Bryton James.
Photo Credits: JPI