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

Over the past few days, viewers of The Bold and the Beautiful have witnessed Sheila (Kimberlin Brown) wanting to jump off the hospital rooftop after killing her son, Finn (Tanner Novlan) and shooting Steffy (Jacqueline MacInnes Wood).  In her grief over Finn, Sheila is rocked to her core and it is Taylor (Krista Allen) who stumbles upon the scene trying to talk Sheila down from the ledge.

However, in a shocking turn of events, Taylor goes over the ledge instead and needs Taylor to pull her back up to safety.  Sheila does just that and Taylor is saved.  It now looks as if the women have formed a strong bond, but Taylor has no idea that Sheila is the one who shot her daughter!

In soaps, it’s always a complex day when a show tapes an outdoor or remote portion of a story, especially one that deals with someone going over the ledge of high-story building.  Leave it to the crew, directors, and producers of the soap to pull it off just right.

Check out this behind the scenes photo gallery of just what went on when Krista and Kimberlin taped the major moments for their characters.

Then let us know, what did you think of Sheila wanting to commit suicide, Taylor trying to talk her down and ultimately being the one who goes over the ledge and needs Sheila to save her life? Comment below.

Krista and Kimberlin getting some direction on how Taylor's fall over the building will be taped.

Krista Allen strikes a pose for her stunt double for the day.

BTS birds eye view of the crew taping the pivotal scenes.

ACTION! Sheila and Taylor struggle to survive.

Kimberlin Brown with her stunt double for the day.

Taylor tries to stop Sheila from jumping!

Kimberlin showing how the shot will look on her Iphone.

B&B supervising producer, Casey Kasprzyk watching how the scene goes down.

Kimberlin Brown and Krista Allen on set as they get ready to be the women on the ledge on the CBS soap.

Yesterday, the one and only Genie Francis (Laura Collins), marked her 45th year as the beloved Laura Collins on the ABC daytime drama series, General Hospital.

Francis debuted in the role on February 8th, 1977 as Laura Vining and when eventually paired with Anthony Geary (Luke) took daytime by storm, and the genre became must-see mainstream TV, under the purview of then EP, Gloria Monty.

Throughout her 45 years, Francis has won a Daytime Emmy for her work in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category back in 2007, but has also been twice nominated for Lead Actress; including last year in 2021, and had another previous Supporting Actress nomination.

Photo: ABC

In her recent SOD interview, Genie shared what it has been like to now be paired on-screen romantically with Jon Lindstrom (Kevin), after Laura spent years in Luke’s orbit: “You come together and it sparks into something larger. I had that with Tony Geary, and I have that with Jon Lindstrom. It’s an interesting thing that happens. I’m grateful for it because if we were not able to do that on that show, I don’t think they would have kept the character on in quite the same way.”

Check out a few photos below of GH’s on set celebration on Tuesday.

Then, share your congrats to Genie for a job well-done, and this milestone, in the comment section.

Genie Francis gets an on set celebration for 45 years of excellence as Laura.

GH's executive producer, Frank Valentini strikes a pose with the iconic star.

Genie's on-screen husband, Jon Lindstrom (Kevin) takes a selfie to mark Genie's milestone.

GH Cast members share in Genie's 45 year milestone!

The one and only Genie Francis!

Photos: ABC