:Eileen Davidson
{{Short description|American actress, author and television personality}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2020}}
{{Infobox person
| image = Eileen Davidson 2014.jpg
| caption = Davidson in 2014
| name = Eileen Davidson
| birth_name = Eileen Marie Davidson
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1959|6|15}}
| birth_place = Artesia, California, U.S.
| occupation = {{Flat list |
- Actress
- author
- television personality
- model
}}
| yearsactive = 1982–present
| spouse = {{Plainlist |
- {{Marriage|Christopher Mayer
|1985|1986|end=divorced}} - {{Marriage|Jon Lindstrom
|1997|2000|end=divorced}} - {{Marriage|Vincent Van Patten
|2003}}
}}
| children = 1
| website =
}}
Eileen Marie Davidson{{cite web|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/middle-0|title=In The Middle|work=Soap Opera Digest|date=September 19, 2015|access-date=July 2, 2008|archive-date=September 12, 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912042146/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/middle-0|url-status=live}} (born June 15, 1959)Peterson, Bettelou (Knight-Ridder). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/857717222/?clipping_id=130785886 "Here's the Lowdown on Eileen Davidson"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828061326/https://www.newspapers.com/image/857717222/?clipping_id=130785886 |date=August 28, 2023 }}. The Ledger Enquirer TV Book. June 12, 1988. p. 60. Retrieved August 28, 2023.Barrand, Roderick (March 30, 1988). [https://www.newspapers.com/image/289848743/?clipping_id=130784046 "After 6 Years, Y&R's Ashley set to 'go for the gold'"]. The Post-Crescent. p. 37. Retrieved August 28, 2023. is an American actress, author, television personality and former model. Davidson is best known for her roles in soap operas as Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks on NBC's Days of Our Lives and Ashley Abbott on CBS's The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful.
In 2014, Davidson was awarded a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role in Days of Our Lives. She was the second actress to win a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of "Lead Actress" for the soap;{{cite web|author=What time do the Daytime Emmy Awards start? |url=http://www.goldderby.com/news/6138/daytime-emmys-days-of-our-lives-dool-eileen-davidson-kristen-dimera-news-64031957.html |title=Eileen Davidson poised to end 39-year drought for 'Days of Our Lives' at Daytime Emmys |publisher=Goldderby.com |date=2014-04-25 |access-date=2014-06-25}} and in 2018, she won the award again for her role on The Young and the Restless.
Davidson also starred in the film The House on Sorority Row (1983), had a leading role in the short-lived CBS crime series Broken Badges (1990–91), and wrote a number of mystery novels in the 2000s. In 2014, Davidson joined the cast of Bravo reality television series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, appearing full-time on the program until 2017.
Early life
Davidson, the youngest of seven children, was born in Artesia, California, to Charlotte ({{nee}} Burkhard) Davidson, a homemaker, and Richard Davidson, an airplane parts manufacturer. She was raised Roman Catholic.{{cite web|url=https://people.com/people/archive/article/0%2C%2C20122873%2C00.html |title=Daze of Their Lives |publisher=People Magazine |date=August 1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101113055/https://people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122873,00.html |archive-date=November 1, 2008 }} She attended Corona Del Mar High School in Newport Beach, California and Orange Coast College in Costa Mesa.
Career
=Early work=
Davidson originated the role of Ashley Abbott on The Young and the Restless in March 1982, beating out more than 100 candidates.{{cite web |last=Lipton |first=Michael A. |url=http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122873,00.html |title=Daze of Their Lives |publisher=People.com |date=August 11, 1997 |access-date=May 25, 2010 |archive-date=April 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402152738/http://www.people.com/people/archive/article/0,,20122873,00.html |url-status=live }} The character of Ashley became a front-burner character, and Davidson became an integral part of the show. She quit the show in December 1988 and the producers took her recommendation of hiring a look-alike actress named Brenda Epperson, whom Davidson had discovered waiting tables at a charity function. Davidson also appeared in several films during the 1980s, including a main role in the slasher film The House on Sorority Row (1983) and Easy Wheels (1989), opposite Ted Raimi.{{Cite web|date=2014-10-31|title=Eileen Davidson|url=https://www.bravotv.com/people/eileen-davidson|access-date=2020-08-15|website=Bravo TV Official Site|language=en-US}}
Davidson then appeared in primetime television, but her show, Broken Badges (1990–1991), was canceled.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,313855,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081204232317/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,313855,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=December 4, 2008 |title=Faces to Watch |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=April 5, 1991 |access-date=May 25, 2010}} She returned to daytime when she assumed the role of Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara from November 1991 until the soap's cancelation in January 1993. She next appeared as Kristen Blake on Days of Our Lives beginning in May 1993. As originally conceived, Kristen was a heroine, who had an Achilles' heel in that the show's supervillain, Stefano, had raised her after the death of her parents. James E. Reilly, who assumed head writing reins in 1993, began to make Kristen more of a villainess. Reilly eventually developed an outrageous second role for Davidson, having her play Susan Banks, a Kristen look-alike. Reilly eventually penned three more roles for Davidson (Sister Mary Moira, Thomas, and Penelope). Her character, Kristen, intended to keep her other character, Susan, prisoner on an island, but Susan ultimately prevailed and Kristen remained on the island until she returned to Salem in 2012. All other related characters were last seen in May 1998. Davidson's five roles earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1998.
File:2010 Eileen Davidson (5370166405).jpg
After a year-long vacation from acting, she returned to her role on The Young and the Restless in March 1999. After a successful return as Ashley Abbott, which included Davidson's second Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress, Davidson was fired from the show. In December 2006, Davidson told TV Guide that she was fired from The Young and the Restless due to lack of storyline.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News-Views/Soaps/QA/default.aspx?posting=CEC3A44A-57E4-43C5-B900-B5354CCBA885 |title=Entertainment and Celebrity News, TV News and Breaking News | TV Guide |access-date=April 17, 2020 |archive-date=September 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200930211536/https://www.tvguide.com/news/ |url-status=dead }} Her last airdate as Ashley was January 11, 2007. According to co-star Melody Thomas Scott, the firing was protested behind the scenes of The Young and the Restless and was seen as unfair.{{cite news | title=Y&R's Melody Thomas Scott May Not Have a Storyline, But She Has a Lot to Say | date=2007-02-13 | publisher= Soap Opera Weekly| pages = 10–11 }} Scott said: "That was so heartbreaking. We're still upset about that. That was a blow. Terrible. Eileen Davidson was such a part of the core of the show and such a brilliant actress; beautiful and always prepared. It was crazy. I'm not the only one who feels that way." In a surprise move a few months later, Davidson signed a three-year contract with The Young and the Restless{{'s}} sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful to once again play her The Young and the Restless character Ashley Abbott at the request of The Bold and the Beautiful executive producer Bradley Bell. She first aired on March 9, 2007.{{cite news | title=Eileen Davidson to B&B! | date=2007-02-13 | publisher= Soap Opera Weekly| page = 5 }} Ken Corday called Davidson about a week before she was fired from The Young and the Restless to get permission to use a picture of her on Days of Our Lives. The picture, which featured Davidson as Susan, was shown in December 2006.
After she was fired from The Young and the Restless but before being cast in The Bold and the Beautiful, her niece Devon Martt, a fashion designer, approached her about designing clothes together.
=Writing and acting=
Davidson co-wrote her first novel with the author Robert J. Randisi, a mystery set in the soap opera world titled Death in Daytime, released in October 2008. She followed it up with three sequels: Dial Emmy for Murder (2009), Diva Las Vegas (2010), and Swinging in the Rain (2011).{{cite web |url=http://eileendavidsonbooks.com/content/index.asp |title=eileendavidsonbooks.com |website=Eileendavidsonbooks.com |access-date=2016-03-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911174139/http://eileendavidsonbooks.com/content/index.asp |archive-date=2015-09-11 }}
In July 2008, Eileen was downgraded to recurring status at The Bold and the Beautiful. She returned to The Young and the Restless full-time as Ashley on September 26, 2008. In 2012, Nelson Branco announced that Sony Pictures Entertainment wanted Davidson on both The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives, but that Y&R would not share the actress, leading Sony to terminate her contract with them. Thus, it was announced that Davidson would reprise her role as Kristen Blake DiMera on Days of Our Lives.{{cite web |url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/eileen-davidson-rejoins-days-of-our-lives-as-kristen-dimera-and-susan-banks/2012/06/27/ |title=Eileen Davidson Rejoins Days of our Lives as Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks! |last=Fairman |first=Michael |work=Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps |access-date=June 26, 2012 |date=2012-06-26 |archive-date=July 3, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120703063335/http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/eileen-davidson-rejoins-days-of-our-lives-as-kristen-dimera-and-susan-banks/2012/06/27 |url-status=live }}File:Eileen Davidson Emmy.jpgDavidson made a brief appearance on The Young and the Restless in February 2013 for the soap's 40th anniversary.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Eileen-Davidson-The-Young-And-The-Restless-Return-1061207.aspx |title=Exclusive: Eileen Davidson on Her Return to The Young and the Restless |last=Logan |first=Michael |publisher=TVGuide.com |access-date=March 2, 2013 |date=2013-02-20}} In July 2013, it was announced that Davidson made the decision to leave Days of Our Lives after a year as Kristen.{{cite web |url=https://www.tvguide.com/News/Eileen-Davidson-Days-of-Our-Lives-Departure-1068721.aspx |title=Exclusive: Eileen Davidson Talks About Her Shocking Departure From Days of Our Lives |last=Logan |first=Michael |publisher=TVGuide.com |access-date=August 2, 2013 |date=2013-08-01}} Davidson exited the role on-screen on November 13, 2013.{{cite journal |last=Sloane |first=Stephanie |date=November 18, 2013 |title=Comings and Goings |journal=Soap Opera Digest |publisher=American Media, Inc. |volume=38 |issue=46 |page=11 }} In late November, it was confirmed that Davidson would return for an episode scheduled to air on December 3, 2013.{{cite journal |last=Sloane |first=Stephanie |date=December 9, 2013 |title=Comings and Goings |journal=Soap Opera Digest |publisher=American Media, Inc. |volume=38 |issue=49 |page=10 }}
On January 28, 2014, it was announced that Davidson would return to the role of Kristen in the summer of 2014.{{cite web|url=https://www.tvguide.com/news/eileen-davidson-days-of-our-lives-kristen-dimera-1076864.aspx|title=Exclusive: Eileen Davidson Returns to Days of Our Lives|work=TV Guide|access-date=3 November 2014|archive-date=January 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140130170747/http://www.tvguide.com/News/Eileen-Davidson-Days-Of-Our-Lives-Kristen-DiMera-1076864.aspx|url-status=live}} On May 1, 2014, it was formally announced that Davidson was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the category of Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series for Days of Our Lives. It was her third Daytime Emmy Award nomination, her second for Days. She won the award on June 22, 2014.{{cite web |url=http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/41st-annual-daytime-emmy-nominations-announced/2014/05/01/ |title=41st Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced |last=Fairman |first=Michael |work=Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps |access-date=May 2, 2014 |date=2012-06-26 |archive-date=May 2, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140502134834/http://michaelfairmansoaps.com/news/41st-annual-daytime-emmy-nominations-announced/2014/05/01/ |url-status=dead }}
On June 17, 2014, it was announced that Davidson had signed a contract to return to The Young and the Restless.{{cite web |url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-eileen-davidson-signs-contract-yr |title=EXCLUSIVE! EILEEN DAVIDSON SIGNS CONTRACT WITH Y&R |last=Digest |first=Soap Opera |work=Soap Opera Digest |publisher=soapoperadigest.com |access-date=June 17, 2014 |date=2014-06-17 |archive-date=June 19, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140619214355/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-eileen-davidson-signs-contract-yr |url-status=live }} Subsequently, Davidson revealed that her Y&R contract was for two years and that it included a stipulation that she could continue doing Days of Our Lives in the future, as well as having the option of taking a break if work became too hectic.{{cite web |url=http://tvsourcemagazine.com/2014/06/soap-star-eileen-davidson-appearing-home-reveals-yr-days-scoop/ |title=Soap Star Eileen Davidson Appearing on 'Home & Family'; Reveals Y&R and Days Scoop! |last=Magazine |first=TVSource |work=TVSource Magazine |publisher=tvsourcemagazine.com |access-date=June 1, 2014 |date=2014-06-19}} Davidson also joined the cast of the fifth season of Bravo reality television series, The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.{{cite web |url=http://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/eileen-davidson-days-of-our-lives-star-joining-rhobh-2014247 |title=Days of Our Lives Actress Eileen Davidson Joining The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills |work=Us Magazine |publisher=usmagazine.com |access-date=July 24, 2014 |date=April 1998 |archive-date=August 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180815121742/https://www.usmagazine.com/entertainment/news/eileen-davidson-days-of-our-lives-star-joining-rhobh-2014247/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|title=Eileen Davidson Leaving RHOBH|url=https://people.com/tv/eileen-davidson-leaving-rhobh/|access-date=2020-08-15|newspaper=People|language=EN|archive-date=October 29, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029121021/https://people.com/tv/eileen-davidson-leaving-rhobh/|url-status=live}} On November 17, 2014, it was announced that Davidson was back on-set of Days of Our Lives, with a stint set to air in spring 2015. She appeared from April 15–30, 2015. On June 12, 2017, it was announced that Davidson would return to Days of Our Lives.{{cite web|last1=Logan|first1=Michael|author-link1=Michael Logan (journalist)|title=Emmy Winner Eileen Davidson Returns to Days of Our Lives|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/231857/eileen-davidson-returns-days-of-our-lives/|website=TV Insider|publisher=CBS Interactive|access-date=June 12, 2017|location=United States|date=June 12, 2017}} Davidson returned from November 2–21 as Susan. Davidson also briefly reprised the roles of Kristen and Sister Mary Moira on November 21 of that year. Davidson stated in 2019 that she had been offered a role on All My Children earlier on in her career, but had turned it down as she could not afford to move to New York with her five dogs.{{cite web|url=https://youtube.com/watch?v=5qzC-juYRdM |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211222/5qzC-juYRdM |archive-date=2021-12-22 |url-status=live|title=Spotlight On Interview with Eileen Davidson (ex-Kristen DiMera) (Original Airdate Sept 2019)|date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=June 29, 2021|publisher=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}
Davidson starred in the 2019 comedy film 7 Days to Vegas directed by Eric Balfour released by Gravitas Ventures.{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/7_days_to_vegas|title=7 Days to Vegas - Rotten Tomatoes|date=September 20, 2019|website=www.rottentomatoes.com|access-date=October 15, 2023|archive-date=November 1, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231101182353/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/7_days_to_vegas|url-status=live}} The following year, she starred in the Christmas film Middleton Christmas (2020) as Alana D'Angelo, the dean of a prestigious high school.{{Cite web|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/553203/eileen-davidson-holiday-movie-there-will-always-be-christmas/|title=Eileen Davidson's Bittersweet 'There Will Always Be Christmas'|last=Young|first=Candace|date=2019-11-11|website=Soaps.com|language=en-US|access-date=2019-12-25|archive-date=December 25, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191225145457/https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/553203/eileen-davidson-holiday-movie-there-will-always-be-christmas/|url-status=live}} From 2021 to 2022, she starred in the Peacock limited series, Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem. She also starred in the Christmas film Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas for the streaming service in 2021.{{Cite web|url=https://parade.com/1301616/paulettecohn/days-of-our-lives-a-very-salem-christmas/|title=Celebrate Christmas With the Hortons, Bradys & DiMeras! Here's Everything We Know About Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas, Including Alison Sweeney's Return|first=Paulette|last=Cohn|date=December 16, 2021|website=Parade}} Also in 2021, Davidson starred in the thriller film Symphoria written and directed by Catherine Dao.{{Cite web|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/553438/eileen-davidson-a-martinez-symphoria-movie/|title=Eileen Davidson & A Martinez Team Up in Romantic Thriller 'Symphoria'|first=Candace|last=Young|date=November 13, 2019}} In 2023, she starred in the Netflix romantic Christmas drama film Holiday in the Vineyards.{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/christmas-movies-ali-afshar-streaming-1235557363/|title=Ali Afshar, Former Racing Pro and Holiday Movie Mogul, Looks Beyond Christmas for Growth|first=Matt|last=Donnelly|date=March 17, 2023}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| 1982
| BJ | |
| 1983
| Vicki | |
| 1989
| She Wolf | |
| 1990
| Eternity | Dahlia / Valerie | Film |
| 2000
|Weyback | Bell Clark | |
| 2012
| Mrs. Fudge | |
| 2013
| Stranger at the Pentagon | Deena Thor | Short film |
| 2017
| The Guest House | Dr. Hopkins | |
| 2019
| KC | |
| 2020
| Middleton Christmas | Alana D'Angelo | |
| 2021
| Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas | Kristen DiMera | |
| 2021
| Symphoria | Vickey Lewis | |
| 2023
| Margo Baldwyn | |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! class="unsortable" | Notes |
|---|
| rowspan="2"|1982
| Ellie | Episode: "The Fire Within" |
| Tattletales
|Herself |5 episodes |
| 1982–1988, 1999–present | Series regular |
| 1990
| J.J. "Bullet" Tingreedes | Main role |
| 1991–1993
| Series regular |
| 1993–1998, 2012–2015, 2017, 2021, 2023
| Kristen DiMera, Marlena Evans, Susan Banks, Sister Mary Moira Banks, Penelope Kent, Thomas Banks | Series regular |
| 2007–2008
| Ashley Abbott | Series regular |
| 2009
|Dog Whisperer with Cesar Millan |Herself |Episode: "Charlotte, Elvis and Jack" |
| 2014–2018, 2020
| The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills | Herself | Series regular (seasons 5–7) |
| 2018
| The Last Sharknado: It's About Time | Television film |
| 2021–2022
| Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem | Kristen DiMera, Thomas Banks, Sister Mary Moira Banks | Limited series, 6 episodes |
Bibliography
Davidson collaborated with Robert J. Randisi on the following novels.{{Citation needed |date=August 2024}}
| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders"
|+List of novels ! scope="col" | Date of publication ! scope="col" | Title |
| 2008
! scope="row" | Death In Daytime |
| 2009
! scope="row" | Dial Emmy For Murder |
| 2010
! scope="row" | Diva Las Vegas |
| 2011
! scope="row" | Swingin' In The Rain |
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist|30em|refs=
All reports discussing the spring 2015 return of Eileen Davidson to Days of Our Lives:
- {{cite news|last1=Ramos|first1=Anthony|title=Eileen Davidson's 'Days Of Our Lives' Return! (Photo Exclusive)|url=http://www.accesshollywood.com/eileen-davidsons-days-of-our-lives-return-photo-exclusive_article_100758|access-date=November 17, 2014|work=Access Hollywood|agency=NBCUniversal|publisher=accesshollywood.com|date=November 17, 2014|location=United States|archive-date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120062944/http://www.accesshollywood.com/eileen-davidsons-days-of-our-lives-return-photo-exclusive_article_100758|url-status=live}}
- {{cite news|author1=SOD|title=EILEEN DAVIDSON BACK AT DAYS!|url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/eileen-davidson-back-days-0|access-date=November 17, 2014|work=Soap Opera Digest|agency=American Media, inc.|publisher=soapoperadigest.com|location=United States|archive-date=November 20, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141120034136/http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/eileen-davidson-back-days-0|url-status=live}}
- {{cite web|last1=Lewis|first1=Errol|title=Eileen Davidson Set For 'DAYS' Return|url=http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2014/11/eileen-davidson-set-days-return|publisher=Soapoperanetwork.com|access-date=November 17, 2014|location=United States|date=November 17, 2014|archive-date=November 19, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141119183417/http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2014/11/eileen-davidson-set-days-return|url-status=live}}}}
External links
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20130214054235/http://www.eileen-davidson.com/ Eileen Davidson's official website]
- {{IMDb name|203308}}
- {{Instagram}}
{{Daytime Emmy Award Outstanding Lead Actress}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Davidson, Eileen}}
Category:American film actresses
Category:American soap opera actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:Actresses from Los Angeles
Category:Daytime Emmy Award winners
Category:Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series winners
Category:People from Artesia, California
Category:20th-century American actresses