News
Genoa City Finally Learns Of Katherine's Passing! Y&R's Jess Walton's Performance!
Courtesy/CBS
On Monday’s episode of The Young and the Restless, Katherine’s (the late Jeanne Cooper) closest friends and family (who are still on the television canvas of the number one CBS soap) learned the fate of the Grand Dame of Genoa City!
Murphy (Michael Fairman) revealed that Katherine had died in her sleep after completing her bucket list of things she wanted to do, and places she wanted to visit all around the world, before she died.
Murphy also revealed that even though her surgery to remove a brain tumor was successful, it really wasn’t, and she kept the truth from her family and friends … and in a very Katherine-esque move, wanted them to not worry about her, or worry them.
The most moving performance during the scenes in which we the audience, and the cast of core characters, learned of Katherine’s death, (and even the foreboding before) came from Daytime Emmy winner and Jeanne Cooper’s long time scene partner and dear friend, Jess Walton (Jill). And as Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott) read the letter Katherine prepared to be read after her death, Mrs C. even gave Jill hell for “making this moment all about her”.
Seeing cast members: Daniel Goddard (Cane), Eric Braeden (Victor), Greg Rikaart (Kevin), Kate Linder (Esther), Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe), Melody Thomas Scott, Christel Khalil (Lily), Bryton James (Devon) and Jess Walton recalling a moment with Katherine in a retrospective clip package at the end of the episode, reminded us at home the deep connection, and sometimes little separation between reality and soap. As for years, and in some instances decades, these performers not only were Jeanne Cooper’s cast mate, but dear friend.
However, it was Jess Walton who made us reach for the hankies, showing that no matter in life or death, the Katherine/Jill supercouple is, and was, one of the best! The way Walton drank her champagne at the end of the episode as Jill, defiant but devastated, about the loss of a woman she spent most of her life with in a love/hate relationship was priceless.
The negative we can say about the episode was way there was way to much time was spent on the Sharon/Nick/Avery story, when the death of Katherine deserved much better initial wallop! But, on with the story … there is more to come!
What do you think of Jess Walton’s performance on yesterday’s Y&R? How the news was given to the GC residents on Katherine’s death? Did you reach for the hankies? Or, did it fall flat for you? Weigh-in!
Jess Walton was the only one making me feel it because she was not having to act it was pure raw emotion. Class act please give this woman a MAJOR storyline we need a monarch now that JC is gone and Katherine was bad and good there were lots of times I was on Jill’ side.
Jess Walton made the ENTIRE show. I wish they would use her more, and stop making the excuse that they *can’t* because she lives in OR. She still has digs in LA for when she IS working. So that’s no excuse.
She is a gem, and they need to recognize that.
Thank You Jess Walton….
for showcasing…. epitomizing… Katherine and Jill.
dang didn’t you wring out all the emotion… “as if Katherine was right their”.
what a coup and a reminder for the Y&R writers… to give Jess Walton more show.
She brilliantly shared with us, fans, the audience… how loved these two dames are.
Beautiful episode and Jess Walton did make the episode!
I personally found it irritating by the end of the episode yesterday. It was a legitimate initial reaction but it was over the top and overdone and I hope she calms down by today’s episode.
Sadly I must agree– at first her reaction was the most raw– the most believable- of the group– but after a while– and into Tuesday episode of the how could Katherine do this to me- wore a bit thin. But this is more the writer’s fault than JW’s. If she knocked it out of the park with these lame lines, imagine how powerful a scene would have been if she had been allowed to say how she felt instead of complaining she wasn’t given a chance to say it.
I loved Jess Walton’ s performance in the episode. I did not like it when they change the history from Jill being her daughter to not but I guess it shows a powerful mother and daughter love could exist between people who are not biologically related.
I wish CBS had did a week of classic episodes of when Katherine made her first appearance on the show, even thou I know it would feature a different Jill.
I truly hope there is an entire episode totally devoted to Katherine. I think the Nick/Avery/Sharon/Chelsea/Adam drama can wait for one day.
Jess Walton was amazing and even better today. Jill crying in Jacks arms was one of the best scenes I’ve seen in a long time. I wish those two were in story together more often. But that’s never going to happen since they never use Jill. I don’t know what’s wrong with Y&R, Jess Walton is one of the best actresses on that show it’s a crime they don’t use her. She makes stories better, even if the writings not that good, what other show would not use an actor who did that?
Jess Walton/Jill & Melody Thomas Scott/Nikki were both great and heartfelt..
The emotion from them both and others was real..
Victor behaved in sorrow as EB would express himself..
It was very touching and I believe hard for all in the room saying good bye/hearing Katherine had passed and the realism of it..
It was not about Katherine it was all for Jeanne Cooper..
Jess Walton let us into her emotions over losing her loved friend, Jeanne.
Jess was great, and te writers have written hr TRUE to character. I have watched the Jill/Katherine relationship played out by all 4 Jill’s and Jess’ is the best of the four (bot to slight Ms. Adair or creator Brenda Dickson) and the most complex. The show would be REALLY foolish not to promote her to the new Grande Dame of GC.
I didn’t realize that 4 actors played Jill. Was there someone else in the role besides Brenda Dickson, Deborah Adair and Jess Walton? How long did the 4th person play the part and when?
Jess Walton was excellent on Monday’s episode, especially when they first gathered in the living room and the moments leading up to Murphy’s actual statement about Katherine.
The other Jill was on the show for just a couple of weeks so she doesn’t really count. I can’t even remember her name. I think it was sometime AFTER Adair left, but right before Dickson slithered back.
Actually technically five actress played Jill– Brenda Dickson, Bond Gideon, Deborah Adair, Melinda Fee, and Jess Walton. You could say six because once when JW was ill Judith Chapman played her for a few shows.
Jess FREAKING NAILED it and always brings it in her performances; but it was especially true during these last few days; I’m seeing an Emmy reel in her very near future. And, Melody Thomas Scott always makes me cry….. Nikki and Jill’s devastation is palpable and has me in tears, yet I keep rewinding to watch it over and over; I’m a masochist, or something! Beautiful job all around!!!!
Jess Walton no longer submits material for Emmy consideration. She has said so in interviews many times. She’s won an Emmy for Best Actress and Supporting already. so she no longer throws her hat in the ring.
Jess should get an Emmy by herself, but I also think Melody did a great job as always..
General Hospital
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
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!
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.
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.
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.”
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 Abbott. Two 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.
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
Steve Burton Reportedly Signs Three-Year Contract with ‘General Hospital’
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason and Britt Reach an Impasse; Is This the End of Their Relationship?
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
‘General Hospital’ to Rebroadcast Special Episode in Tribute to Anthony Geary
‘General Hospital’s’ Tabyana Ali Song ‘Pray’ Now Available on Major Streaming Platforms with Music Video Forthcoming
‘General Hospital’ Icon Genie Francis to Receive Lifetime Achievement Award at the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards
Vivica A. Fox Exits ‘The Young and the Restless’ For Now to Film Netflix’s ‘Women Like Us’
Jess Walton Memoir ‘The Young and the Rest of Us’ Set for Release in 2027
Kelly Sullivan Gives High Praise to ‘General Hospital’s’ Maura West Recalling When Ava Shot Connie (Exclusive)
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL: Steffy Tells Carter She’s Pregnant, But He Has a Way ‘Out of This Situation For All of Us’
‘Beyond the Gates’ vs. ‘The Young and the Restless’ in a Soap Opera Showdown on ‘Flip Side’ Season 3 Premiere
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