News
Former Y&R Star Brenda Dickson's, My True Hollywood Hidden Hollywood Story Tell-All!
After a bombshell memoir from her former Young and the Restless co-star, Jeanne Cooper (Katherine), the original Jill Foster Abbott, Brenda Dickson is getting set to release a what looks-to-be self-published tell-all memoir! Brenda’s new book titled … wait for it … Brenda Dickson: My True Hollywood Hidden Hollywood Story: My Memoir of Sexual Harassment, Blacklisting, and Love Affairs With the Most Powerful Men in Hollywood will soon be available according to her website brendadickson.com. In addition, Dickson is asking fans to choose the book cover they like the best and to vote on the variations!
Here is what Brenda says is in her tell-all: “This book tells you what happened to Brenda Dickson’s original Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless. It takes you through my life in Hollywood from 17 on. It covers my home life and my parents as a young girl, as well as my love affairs with some of the most powerful men in Hollywood. The Hollywood stars I worked with in Hollywood before The Young And The Restless. The book has fabulous and stunning Hollywood photographs in color by Harry Langdon and other top photographers, including my bestselling posters, and glamorous, over the top, head and fashion shots. The over the top “Welcome To My Home” pictures and posters are also included. The book covers my multi-million dollar lifestyle with pictures of the parties of the century (with the gowns) in Europe, from my two marriages.”
“It is about the “Blacklisting” in Hollywood by Producer, William J. Bell, and the “$11 million fixed trial. How the “Mafia” cartel judges and attorneys were enlisted and laundered $15.5 million of the one-half of my two divorce settlements, ruined my multi-million career, and left me homeless, twice! I brought in more ratings than the entire show! The “behind the scenes” games the producers created on the set of The Young And The Restless. The set was subjected to Bill Bell’s cunning ego, by keeping an actress who came to work drunk, had blackouts, and burst into manic fits of rage. This actor needed help. Bill Bell’s storylines about an alcoholic, who was struggling with an alcohol addiction, were derived from her real life! So real!!! The problem was . . . it wasn’t acting, and it wasn’t good writing, and, as a result, the ratings dropped lower and lower. A shocking story of the power, greed, and illegal tactics used to get ownership of the show and how all the actors dealt with it. How harassment tactics were used to drive talented actors out of their roles, to make room for “Nepotism City”. How Bill Bell wanted to make my life a real live soap opera, even though I left the show. He and his family hung on, in fear I’d tell the truth, which now, in this book, I have. Bill Bell’s sexual harassment, and the cunning way he got hold of me at a young age are also in this book.”
“My film, “Welcome To My Home”, I directed, wrote and produced, was taken off the internet in an illegal copyright claim by Sony Pictures (the Bells) in 2009. In a short period of time it garnered 3 million viewers. My film was garnering more viewers than the entire show so it was illegally taken down!!!” My lovers . . . Mike Nader, (Dex Dexter on Dynasty or Dimitri Marrick on All My Children). Richard Thomas (The Waltons). Ernest Thompson, we were dating when he wrote On Golden Pond, which he won the Academy Award for. The famous upscale clothing retailer, Fredy Segal, now on the Dow Jones. Congressman Barry Goldwater, Jr., my first real love, and my two ex-husbands, who were directly connected to Bill Bell and his family, even after I left the show. How they got their fingers in my divorces to keep me quiet and out of Hollywood.”
“This story is laugh out loud funny, sexy, hot, and full of drama. For those of you who watch The Young And The Restless, you’ll find how your beloved actors were really treated. They are all in this book, including their on the set love affairs. The Bill Bell Hype Train is about the crash, and the truth is about to come out! Fasten your seatbelts, as the you ride with me on the “Bell Family Roller Coaster”’
So soapers, what do you think of Brenda’s introduction to fans of her book? Will you be purchasing a copy? Let us know!
She is a HOT MESS!!!
Lew S, you’re being kind. I was thinking that she’s more of a real B—. Gotta admit though, I wonder what’s in that book. LOL.
Sounds like a fantastic read but I knew all the shady shit Bill Bell did but would love to read it . They better have Steve Kent bring back Victoria Rowell as Drucilla for this 35 yrs of watching this damn show or else
I love Brenda Dickson and for me she will always be Jill Foster Abbott. She was the reason I became a Y&R fan. I tuned in every day to see her. I am reading the book and I believe it.
Can’t wait to read it!!!!!!!
Sounds awesome! I’m ready to read!
Why pretend that Bill Bell was some saint? He was human.
Dear lord!!!!! Lol! She was Jill when I was 3! 30 years ago!!!!
I am not a fan of anyone who says things about a person after they have died and have no chance to defend themselves, whether true or not.
Mary neither am I they all do look at the things they have said about Cary Grant you are right they are not around to defend themselves it is called being a coward. Terry Lester had the guts to say it while Bill Bell was alive. Look Bill Bell was not perfect no one is hey they fired Tom Selleck from Y&R because they did not think he was sexy enough. Please! But because he was a quality actor he moved on I remember her and she is no where near the caliber of Jess Walton.
Another delusional Victoria Rowell type How many years has she been gone from YR?
I like Victoria Rowell as an actress, but I was thinking the same thing!
I really liked Dickson as Jill and was sorry to see her leave the show. Jess Walton is fine but Dickson will always be “the” Jill Foster to me. That being said, it appears to me that she has really gone off the deep end since then. The show moved on from her. It would serve her well to move on from the show. She has been gone from it for over 20 years.
Dickson and Rowell seem to have one thing in common: a bad experience on the show and, rather than trying to use their acting talents to develop further their careers, seem to only want to rehash the hell out of the past. The more they continue to dredge up this stuff over and over again, the less appealing either actress is to me.
MOVE ON, GALS!!!!
Well at least Victoria Rowell was speaking out for change to correct what she saw as an injustice that needed to be exposed. Her methods may not be effective or make her popular, but her intention is not completely self serving. This book looks to me to be motivated solely for profit . She exploits a past that cannot be undone. She exposed not an injustice, but the weakness, failings, and sins of people who did not ask her to do it. The book will sell and she will get her extra few minutes of fame for it, but it is sad this is the only way she could think of to get it.
Oh please I LOVE VICTORIA ROWELL they are so damn stupid not to have her back. it would bring to the show money money money
Who is she talking about who was drunk on the set Jeanne Cooper? I do know Terry Lester the original Jack quit because of lack of storyline he felt Bell was making his daughter with no acting experience the center of the show which he was. Their have been other actors who will go nameless that complained about him I would buy just out of curiosity. jess Walton has always been Jill to me. This lady looks wild.
His daughter still has no acting experience 25 years later
Kay/Kay it was JC Mrs C was drunk o the set a lot and she had an affair with the actor who plays brook her son and she had her real face lift done on the show
I thought it was but you know Jeanne Cooper always has taken up for this gals’s antics. More drama behind the scenes still is. Lol. I think I will pass on the book I have better things to do with my time then listen to a hatchet job done on people. I guess she and Victoria Rowell should get together and have a pity party.
Oh by the way the guy who did her face lift on camera was married a long time to Victoria Principal.
Cashing in on the coat tails of the Grand Dame herself – Jeanne Cooper…
I won’t be purchasing Brenda Dickson’s book.
Same here! She’s just pathetic.
Hope this book gets her the $$ and attention she wants, so she will just go away now.
The one and only Jill! Jess Walton doesn’t hold a candle to her. She was the best and real. Ok…maybe her breasts weren’t, but you noticed them and her. Jeanne Cooper said great things about her in her book. The show has not been the same since she left. I would love to see her return as Jill…although I guess after this book comes out that’s not likely to happen. Oh well…it will still be more entertaining than what’s left of the show. Can’t wait for the movie.
Jess Walton is better and I was around for both Jills
Kel so was I and Deborah Adair played her for a while also their was another gal but I can’t remeber her name that played Jill for a short while. Jess Walton came on I think in 1987 and made the part her own.
I have been around for all of them. l liked Deborah Adair better than Jess. I still say that the original was the Best. Although I would admit, she’s probably nuts-o now…but I choose to remember her when. I also choose to remember my beloved ATWT is stll on the air, but when I turn my tv on to watch it, all I see is a bunch of chicks setting around a table yapping. Lucinda Walsh would set them straight fast. Oh well…hopefully someone will get Y & R back to where I can watch it again. I gave up on it months ago.
And here’s the thing…I just finished reading Jeanne Cooper’s autobiography. She mentions Brenda with the kindest of terms. There wasn’t a harsh comment; only breif passage and well wishes. A class-act…and the book was NOT surprising at all, as the media keep saying. It was a great read, though.
Yet, here, this trash-mongerer doesn’t even bother to disguise who she’s talking about in her teaser for her book. Trashing someone to make a buck is low-life.
This woman doesn’t display any class, whatsoever. Whether or not what she says is true or not, isn’t the point. Brenda lacks class. Period.
I’ll buy it!
Sensational garbage. Try again, Brenda. Your ship sailed, honey!
I feel very sorry for this woman. It is really a shame that she cannot move on. I am certain there issome truth in what she writes, especially about Bill Bell. People do not rise to the top in show biz by being nice. However, it sounds like she willingly went along with all of it to maintain her lifestyle, which she mentions several times as being millions. She alternately wants to be thought of as a victim while still bragging about her fabulous life. She talks about sexual harassment, thenmentions scandalous affairs she had. She talks about herself like she was the sole reason the show existed a.d thrived. Jill had been played successfully by several actresses. The day Jess Walton stepped into those pumps in 1987, she WAS Jill and has been for 25 years, longer than Brenda ever was. Jess has won two Emmys for her work, that’s two more than Brenda won. Jess brought a level of realism to Jill that replaced Brenda’s campy, vampy style of “acting.”. She is still using the show to try and make money, stir.controversy, and win sympathy. I think she would be better off to just let it go. It’s been 25 years. The Bell family is no longer associated with the show. There are four soaps left. She has burned all of her bridges. I wish her happiness and health, but holding onto this bitterness and anger is not going to bring her one ounce of happiness or contentment. Her book may sell to older viewers out of curiosity, but to what end? Defaming the character of a dead man just reeks of disrespect, no matter how he treated her. If her fabulous wonderful million dollar life was so spectacular, then it couldn’t have been that bad.
I do admit I liked Brenda’s Jill the second time around (when she replaced Deborah Adair in 1983) up until Jill’s divorce from John. After that point, her acting became campy and over-the-top. She had presence… but in all fairness, Jess Walton has the acting chops. I can’t say I miss her though. She definitely needs to move on… she’s in her 60s and still dressing like Mamie Van Doren. Not flattering at all.
You are so right I couldnt imagine anyone replacing Brenda as Jill but the last years she was on she was overtop just as Victoria Rowell was so overtop the last two years she was on YR It must be their huge egos they were both good actresses who let their huge heads get in the way, they both thought they were Yand R. It survived without them they need perspective.
You are both spot on.
It’s funny, Mamie Van Doren popped into my head too. Lol.
She is still harping on the fact she’s not on Y&R?! She would never come back, she is not Jill Abbott Fenmore anymore. She needs to move on. Surprised her and Victoria Rowell aren’t buddy-buddy!
Brenda, I am so disappointed in you. You had a shot at cultivating a new audience but you did not seek the help of those who wanted to protect and defend your legacy in daytime. Instead, you gave in to your ego.
Uh before you spend any money purchasing her book take a look at her website and read her blog and the legal mayhem entry. Gads this woman rambles on and on and her wrtiing is not coherent. She really needs to let all the past go and move on at this point. Clearly she is comsumed living in the past and obsessed with trying to right all the wrongs she claims so many have done to her. All her energies that she appears to be spending trying to correct all the woes of the past are wasted time and money.
Create a new life Brenda and be happy.
Sad. Apparently some former daytime divas need to start a support group. Unfortunately their egos are unlikely to foster support for others. Classless.
Oh stop the shit is true why not cash in you think the Bells are nice people Hahahah I was there they are not what you think but he was a great writer and cast well
Kel I know this is off the subject but it has been reported Ronn Moss refused to do a guest spot on B&B for Stephanies death. SF even asked him personally I am not a fan at all of Brad Bell I know Ronn Moss was not a great actor but they are not doing Shakespeare and he had been with the show for 25 years. B&B may very well bite the dust these young actors in a word stink.
Kel, it may well all be true about Bill Bell. But, life’s short. Move on. They call it baggage for a reason: carrying it around with you weighs you down and wears you out. That said, it sounds like a dishy read. If you or others want to purchase it go for it.
I don’t blame Ronn for not doing the guest spot for B&B. They wanted him to take a cut in salary to help out with the younger actors/actresses. That’s BS!!!
Whatever people! Brenda Dickson was the true “Jill Abbot ” hands down . Deborah Adair was my second favorite. Brenda had the sex and the ” Bitch” down to a art form. Deborah just had the Bitch down. Jess Walton? She should have stayed off the air when Capitol the soap she was on and played “Kelly” was canceled. Just saying folks!
Brenda Dickson is a great & talented actress she was the one and only Jill Foster. All her replacements were savourless and a big mistake (particularly Jess Walton who was ok as Kelly Harper on Capitol but she is definetely not a Jill) from Y&R producers. Hope Ms Dickson will come back soon on our screens !!!
i loved brenda dicksons jill,,she kept me glue to y and y dureing her whole tunure ,,as the other actresses,played jill on the show,,, brendas jill was the show back then ,,her character was the mainstream storyline while her portrayel of jill aired,,many celebrities right about there past gone by,,,why such a hard stand against brenda dickson for having her 2 cents,,,ive allready pre ordered my copy and will be happy to finally hear her story,,,good luck brenda and thnx again for the many years of entertainment..after all thats what its all about
All these other Jills were boring, more or less. And why did Bell bring in that poor girl (daughter) to play Cricket? She was about as talented as Tori Spelling.
Brenda Dickson seems like she’s completely out of her mind. This is a self-published book, and I don’t think it was even edited by anyone.
Brenda Dickson was absolutely GREAT in her role as Jill on Y&R!! No disrespect to the one who replaced her, but no one could ever live up to the portrayal of Jill by Brenda!
Beyond her years at Y&R, it appears she has had a lot of other battles to contend with…. Everyone else in Hollywood has written a book, so why shouldn’t she tell her story too! Yes, i’ve pre-ordered her book, due to be released soon.
Really people? Brenda Dickson is 64 years old!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! It has been DECADES since she’s played the role of Jill Abbott. It is all very sad and disturbing that she is hanging on to vestiges of a soap opera role from the 80’s.
Terry Lester said once on a show… all roads in Genoa City lead to Lauralee Bell… and he was right…. I remember growing up with Y&R and thinking Cricket is the WORST actrss in the world… but now I know its because her Daddy had to give her some kind of job….. she still is the worst actress in the world… and I always loved Brenda Dixon as Jill the BEST
It looks like the current run of Lucas Adams (Noah) and Tamara Braun (Sienna) on The Young and the Restless is coming to an end, after the Monday, August 3 edition of the CBS daytime drama revealed that Noah and Sienna are leaving Genoa City and heading back to Los Angeles.
In the storyline, Noah informed his mother, Sharon (Sharon Case) and half-sister Mariah (Camryn Grimes) that he and Sienna made the decision to move back to the West Coast to put distance between themselves and Matt Clark (Roger Howarth). Although Noah did not say it was a permanent move, he did assure his mom that once Matt is hopefully gone from Genoa City they could return.
However, as previewed already on the video teaser for this week’s episodes of Y&R (see below), it appears Noah left Genoa City’s The Shadow Room to be run by a returning Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian). So with that, coupled with today’s episode, it would appear the move could wind up being more permanent.
Photo: JPI
COMINGS AND GOINGS
Adams made his Y&R debut on November 4, 2025 as the successor to Rory Gibson who last played Noah on-screen in April of 2023. Earlier in 2025, Gibson took over the role of Michael Corinthos on Genera Hospital replacing Chad Duell, who stepped away from the part after 15 years.
Braun who played Adam’s mother on Days of Our Lives when she was Ava Vitali and he was Tripp Dalton, first appeared on Y&R back on October 14, 2025, where we soon learned she had become Noah’s lover as the new character, Sienna Bacall. It should be noted, Adams was on contract with the number #1 soap, while Braun has been on recurring status.
With Josh Griffith now exited as head writer of The Young and the Restless, and the newly announced co-head writing team of Jamey Giddens and Dan O’Connor having taken his place and starting their new tenure this week, it will be interesting to see how the duo resets the show, and if a Noah and Sienna return is in the cards for the future or not.
So, what do you think about the seeming departures of Lucas Adams and Tamara Braun from The Young and the Restless? Weigh-in via the comment section. But first, check out our recent live chat with Tamara and Lucas on the Michael Fairman Channel.
Rosie O’Donnell revealed that she plans to head back to a seat at the table of ABC’s morning talk show The View.
The announcement came during Monday’s episode of The Tangle Podcast where she shared she will participate in “in whatever way they want” her or “just as a guest” for its upcoming 30th season.
The View’s season 30 will kick-off this fall in September. O’Donnell explained, “They’re bringing back all the hosts, I think. And, you know, I’m pretty proud of that show, what it’s become and how it really speaks to the people and to politics.”
Photo: ABC
ROSIE ON HER PREVIOUS GO-ROUNDS ON THE VIEW
As fans of The View know, O’Donnell famously had two different one-year stints on the talk show in 2007 and again in 2014- 2015. She often feuded with then co-host Elizabeth Hasselbeck.
However, during her discussion with host, Kyle Ridley on The Tangle Podcast, O’Donnell also noted she often had tense moments with longtime moderator and anchor, Whoopi Goldberg.
O’Donnell also expressed, “Many, many people got the short end of the stick there. It was, you know, it was a factory where people were being churned in and out and their tenuous security, nobody got to be calm. It also was a show at the time that was run by a man. A show created by a woman, for women, about women, and the man was deciding what we should talk about. And that didn’t sit right with me, you know.”
Back in 2023, Brooke Shields had asked Rosie on her podcast, Now What? with Brooke Shields, about how she felt on her two stints at The View and all the controversy that surrounded it. Rosie at that time, stated, “I know this, it’s not the best use of my talent to get in a show where I have to argue and defend basic principles of humanity and kindness. It was not something I’d ever do again.”
You can check out the clip with Rosie and Kyle Ridley discussing her return to The View in some form for its upcoming 30th season below.
Then weigh-in: Would you be excited to see Rosie, even for a one-day or a week guest stint on the upcoming celebratory season of The View, or not so much? Let us know via the comment section.
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General Hospital Fan Club Weekend brought out many of your favorites to the four day event; with the main cast gathering on Saturday, August 1. Fans near and far attended the weekend held this year at the Burbank Marriott Hotel. Whether it be the main cast event or the smaller more intimate events featuring two or three cast members a great time was had by all.
Some of the cast participating in the main cast event included: Cyrus Hobbi (Yuri), Gary James Fuller (James), Bradford Anderson (Spinelli), Viron Weaver (Wiley), Paige Herschell (Jacinda), Chris McKenna (Brennan), Josh Kelly (Cody), Kayden Brenna Tokarsi (Scout), Cassandra James (Terry), Laura Wright (Carly), Dominic Zamprogna (Dante), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane), Rick Hearst (Ric), Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco), and Chloe Lanier (ex-Nelle).
In addition to, Van Hansis (Lucas), Cameron Mathison (Drew), Ryan Paevey (ex-Cassius), Easton Rocket Sweda (Leo), Maurice Benard (Sonny), Kristen Vaganos (Molly), Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis), Kate Mansi (ex-Kristina), Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth), Cynthia Watros (Nina), Kristina Wagner (Felicia) and more.
Take a look at some of the snaps from the main event arrivals below:
Photo: HutchinsPhoroi
GH’s Rick Hearst with on-screen daughter, Kristen Vaganos, plus Nancy Lee Grahn, and Kate Mansi.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Maurice Benard on-hand to meet the fans.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto.com
Jack Brennan in the house … Chris McKenna.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Adrian Anchondo, Van Hansis and Anchondo’s boyfriend, Days of Our Lives, Colton Little.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
GH’s Josh Kelly and his gal, the former Nelle Benson of Port Charles, Chloe Lanier.
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
Who is James’ father? Not Cassius or Spinelli, actually. Actors Gary James Fuller, Ryan Paevey and Bradford Anderson!
Photo: HutchinsPhoto
One of General Hospital’s newest cast members, Kayden Brenna Tokarski attends her first GHFCW event.
Check out some more arrival images featuring: Laura Wright (Carly), Cassandra James (Terry), Carolyn Hennesy (Diane) and more in the gallery below.
Michael Fairman TV will be adding more images to this post in the day ahead.
So, were you glad to see so many of your GH favorites attending this year’s General Hospital Fan Club Weekend? Let us know via the comment section.
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