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Former Y&R Star Brenda Dickson's, My True Hollywood Hidden Hollywood Story Tell-All!

By Michael Fairman

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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!

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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

General Hospital

Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)

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Maura West and Kelly Sullivan

It was just over 13 years ago on General Hospital when Ava Jerome (Maura West) shot and killed Kate Howard/Connie Falconeri (Kelly Sullivan) in an effort to keep her quiet from revealing that Derek Wells was actually Ava’s back-from-the-dead brother, Julian Jerome (William deVry). It’s a crime that somehow Ava never has quite paid for either.

The episode back aired on August 13, 2013 and viewers had to say goodbye to Kelly Sullivan who played Kate and her alter, Connie. In the story, just before she died, Kate/Connie scrawled the letters AJ in her own blood, initially making the PCPD and Sonny Corinthos (Maurice Benard) think that it was AJ Quatermaine (Sean Kanan) who did the deed.

Now, Sullivan recalled sharing scenes with the three-time Daytime Emmy-winning West, during a live conversation on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel. Kelly was the special guest talking about her recent return to the soaps in her new role as The Bold and the Beautiful’s Darcy Dylan.

Photo: JPI

FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF MAURA WEST

Speaking of her final GH scenes and working with Maura West, Sullivan gave her then GH co-star major props. “If you’re going to be shot by somebody (on the soaps), you want to be shot by Maura West, c’mon!”

Maura West debuted back in May 2013 as Ava, and Sullivan remembered when the As the World Turns favorite began on GH. “I remember when Maura West first arrived at GH. She walked in with this cute little bob (hairdo) and she’s just delicious,” shared Sullivan.

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE

Kelly revealed more about Maura, adding “I think she’s amazing! I remember right before I left the show, someone suggested, and I would still love to do this with her, if she ever want to, but someone suggested that they wanted to direct the stage play A Streetcar Named Desire with Maura and I, where I would play Stella and she would play Blanche! Wouldn’t that be great?”

Speaking of the Ava/Connie showdown scenes, Sullivan expressed, “On television and on General Hospital specifically, Maura West is able to play a character who does the most horrendous things and you still care about her and that’s the mark of a really great actor. In other words, you’re able to be liked in the midst of the most horrendous things, and as a performer not shying away from that, and to just have the courage to do what’s on the page (in the script).”

Photo: JPI

KELLY SULLIVAN PARTING THOUGHTS AS SHE LEFT GENERAL HOSPITAL

Kelly also shared her sentiments when she walked off the set of General Hospital after her run back in August of 2013. “I really was honored. Every day I would go to work and I would say a little prayer, which is I want to do justice for my character, explained Kelly. “It’s between me and my character. I get to walk this path with her and to leave the show on that note, which is, I left every out there. I just gave it my all and again what an honor it was to play Kate/Connie.”

You can catch the full conversation with Kelly where she talks about her time on General Hospital, The Young and the Restless where she played Sage Warner and now The Bold and the Beautiful below.

So, do you remember the Ava and Connie scenes where Ava shot and killed her? What did you think of Kelly Sullivan’s sentiments about Maura West? Share your thoughts via the comment section. But first, watch the reveal where Ava recalls murdering Connie below!

 

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General Hospital

Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’

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Steve Burton

The question of will Steve Burton (Jason Morgan) stay awhile at General Hospital after his recent extended hiatus from the show earlier this year, has reportedly been answered.

TMZ via court documents obtained in Burton’s ongoing legal battle with his ex-wife Sheree Gustin, shared that Steve actually inked a new three year deal with the ABC soap opera back in June.

That is significant because it was June when Burton returned back to work as Jason. In addition, the court filing confirmed that Burton had already moved back to California from Tennessee.

Steve Burton

Photo: ABC

STEVE’S HIATUS AND HIS RETURN TO PORT CHARLES

GH fans will recall, it was back in February of 2026, that Burton announced via his Instagram that he was stepping away from his role of Jason Morgan for short break and pointed to wanting to spend quality time with his new wife, Michelle Lundstrom Burton with whom he tied the knot back on May 17, 2025.

Steve expressed at that time, “I’m newly married and looking forward to spending some quality time with my family.” It was back on March 25 that viewers saw Jason carted away by the WSB after taking the fall for Rocco Falconeri (Finn Carr) who shot then WSB Director Ross Cullum (Andrew Hawkes).

Burton returned to work on June 1, and due to General Hospital taping roughly six weeks ahead of air, made his on-screen comeback on the July 13 episode.

GOING FOR GOLD AT THE UPCOMING DAYTIME EMMYS

Then, Steve and his enduring fans got an extra special treat on the same day, when it was revealed on Extra that he was nominated for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards in the Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.

Steve previously won in the Supporting Actor category for his work as General Hospital’s Jason in 1998 and as The Young and the Restless’ Dylan McAvoy in 2018.

Now with Jason and Britt’s (Kelly Thiebaud) relationship seemingly hitting the skids, plus Jason’s commitment to staying out of mob life to focus on being present for his son Danny Morgan (Asher Antonyzyn), what does the future hold for the fan favorite character? Stay tuned.

So, happy to hear that Steve Burton signed a new three year deal with General Hospital? Knowing that, what storyline would you like to see Jason get involved and with who? Share your thoughts and theories via the comment section.

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Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027

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Jess Walton

The Young and the Restless enduring favorite and two-time Daytime Emmy-winning actress, Jess Walton (Jill Foster Abbott) is set to release her memoir!

Kensington Publishing has revealed on their website that Walton’s book The Young and the Rest of Us is now available for pre-order while listing an April 27, 2027 release date. In addition, in June of 2027, Walton will mark her 40th anniversary with The Young and the Restless and her debut as Jill.

The official log lines for the memoir share, “Emmy Award-winning actress Jess Walton, known to millions as the iconic Jill Abbott on the #1 soap opera The Young and the Restless, shares her extraordinary journey to stardom, sobriety, true love, and self-discovery in this startingly candid, intimate, and star-studded memoir.”

Jess Walton

Photo; Kensington Books

CAKE FIGHTS AND CORPORATE INTRIGUE

The book description for The Young and the Rest of Us adds,  “In June 1987, Jess Walton walked through the artists’ entrance at CBS for her first day on The Young and the Restless,where she had just been hired to play the recast role of Jill AbbottTwo Emmy awards, four decades, and countless onscreen affairs, marriages, corporate takeovers, and cake fights later, she’s a beloved icon with an astonishing tale to tell.”

“In her refreshingly candid style, Jess shares her journey as a young actress from Toronto theaters to Los Angeles, where she found herself at the center of a Laurel Canyon circle that included the likes of Neil Young, David Geffen, Laura Nyro, and Joni Mitchell. Landing a Universal contract and a steady stream of guest starring roles, Jess embraced everything 1970s L.A. had to offer—including Hollywood parties fueled by limitless booze and drugs, and trysts with stars. She recounts with candor and gratitude the surprising path that eventually led her to sobriety, true love—and ultimately, to fictional Genoa City, Wisconsin, and the role of a lifetime.”

“Brimming with behind-the-scenes drama and celebrity cameos to delight fans, The Young and the Rest of Us is also rich in personal, relatable truths about marriage, motherhood, empty-nesting, self-discovery, and finding the courage to start over—as often as it takes. In a voice as fearless and frank as Jill’s, but with, humor and grace all her own, Jess Walton looks back on a life as unpredictable, and adventure filled as anything she has portrayed on screen.”

WHO ELSE PLAYED JILL FOSER ABBOTT?

Fans of The Young and the Restless know that Walton became the fourth actress to take on the role of Katherine Chancellor’s original nemesis Jill Foster back in 1987. The OG Jill was played by Brenda Dickson, also Deborah Adair, Bond Gideon and Melinda O. Fee played the part.

This year, Days of our Lives star Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) filled-in for several episodes for Walton who was unavailable to travel from her home in Oregon to Los Angeles where Y&R was taped. Walton is still with the long-running soap opera as Jill.

So, excited to learn of Jess Walton’s upcoming memoir, ‘The Young and the Rest of Us?’ Will it be it a must-read for you? Drop a comment below.

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