For over half a century, audiences have watched some of the longest-running cast members on The Young and the Restless breathe life into several iconic characters. With an ever-expanding storyline, several characters have been introduced in the show, with some killed off over time. Several popular actors who had their debut and career breakout on the show went on to have successful film and television careers.
Since The Young and the Restless premiered on March 26, 1973, a few cast members have remained on the show, either as series regulars, recurring roles, or guest appearances. Until her death on May 8, 2013, actress Jeanne Cooper (who played Katherine Chancellor) was the longest-running cast member on The Young and the Restless. Currently, these are the top 5 longest-running cast members on The Young and the Restless.
5. Jess Walton – Since 1987
The Canadian-American actress Jess Walton joined The Young and the Restless in 1987. Before joining the cast, Walton had been a series regular as Kelly Harper on another CBS soap opera, Capitol, from 1984 to 1987. Jess Walton was cast as Jill Abbott as a temporary replacement for Brenda Dickson on June 19, 1987. However, by June 25, 1987, Walton was permanently recast in the role.
Jill Abbott is currently the longest-running character on The Young and the Restless and the only remaining original character. The character was created by William J. Bell and first appeared in its second episode on March 27, 1973. Actress Jess Walton has portrayed Jill Abbott ever since, with no other major acting role to her credit. As of 2024, Jess Walton has portrayed Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless for 37 years.
4. Lauralee Bell – Since 1983
With a famous Hollywood last name, actress Lauralee Bell is the only daughter of William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. Her parents were the creators of The Young and the Restless for CBS. Lauralee Bell originated the role of Christine Blair on The Young and the Restless and has portrayed the character since its first appearance on July 15, 1983. Bell’s character was introduced as a teen model and was originally called Cricket. Over the years, as the actress grew with the character, audiences watched Christine Blair become a lawyer and then the district attorney.
Christine Blair has been married twice on The Young and the Restless. First, she married rock singer Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian) and was later involved with investigator Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) after Danny left her for Phyllis Summers (Michelle Stafford). Actress Lauralee Bell was 15 years old when she joined The Young and the Restless. Besides a three-year break from the show, from 2007 to 2010, she’s one of the show’s most popular faces. Lauralee Bell reprised the character on the sister soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful, appearing for about a week in June 2007. Excluding the three-year hiatus from the show, Lauralee Bell has portrayed Christine Blair on The Young and the Restless for 38 years since 1983.
3. Kate Linder – Since 1982
Actress Kate Linder has portrayed Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless for 42 years (as of 2024). She isn’t just one of the longest-running cast members on The Young and the Restless, but also in all American soap operas. Interestingly, besides being the character’s originator, The Young and the Restless was Kate Linder’s acting career debut role.
Linder’s Esther Valentine character was created and introduced by William J. Bell. Esther Valentine first appeared on The Young and the Restless on April 8, 1982, as a maid and housekeeper of businesswoman and matriarch Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper). When Kate Linder was first hired to play Katherine Chancellor’s maid, William J. Bell didn’t name the character.
It was the late Jeanne Cooper who coined the name Esther while delivering one of her lines. After the name stuck, the showrunners organized a national contest for viewers to choose a surname for the character. Kate Linder ultimately had the final decision to choose between “Diamond” and “Valentine.” In 2023, Kate Linder reprised the role of Esther Valentine as a special guest in 5 episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful.
2. Eric Braeden – Since 1980
German actor Eric Braeden is currently the second longest-running cast member on The Young and the Restless. When the character was created, William J. Bell had intended it would be a short-lived character that would be killed off after 8-12 weeks. However, Bell was greatly impressed by Eric Braeden’s performance and decided to keep the character.
Eric Braeden’s Victor Newman character is one of The Young and the Restless villains, known for his ruthlessness. Eric Braeden first appeared on The Young and the Restless on February 8, 1980. Although initially reluctant to sign a contract, as he feared soap operas were career-confining, Eric Braeden has remained a blessing to the show. As of 2024, Eric Braeden has portrayed Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless for 44 years since 1980.
1. Melody Thomas Scott – Since 1979
American actress Melody Thomas Scott currently holds the record as the longest-running cast member on The Young and the Restless. Although the role originated with actress Erica Hope in 1978, Scott was recast as Nikki Newman (née Reed) in 1979. Melody Thomas Scott first appeared as the character on February 20, 1979. Like many other cast members, Scott had considered leaving The Young and the Restless over pay issues. However, she extended her contract after things were resolved to become the longest-running cast member.
Although Nikki Newman and Victor Newman became a supercouple pairing on The Young and the Restless, Nikki was first introduced as a stripper before marrying Victor Newman. Besides actress Robin Eisenman, who temporarily portrayed Nikki Newman in 1984, Melody Thomas Scott has played the character since she was recast in 1979. As of 2024, Melody Thomas Scott has portrayed Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless for 45 years since 1979. If you enjoyed reading about these longest-running cast members of The Young and the Restless, her are 10 iconic The Young and the Restless episodes, ranked.
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