Jill Foster Abbott
Jill Abbott Fenmore (née Foster; formerly Reynolds, Chancellor, Thurston, Brooks, Sterling, and Atkinson) is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Played by Jess Walton, she is the show's longest-running character, having debuted on the show's first episode on March 26, 1973. The character was originated by actress Brenda Dickson, who departed in 1980. The role was taken over by Deborah Adair. Adair departed in 1983 and Dickson returned to the role. Though Dickson said that she would never leave the role, she was in 1987 replaced by Walton, who continues to play Jill today. When she debuted, Jill was an 18-year manicurist working to support her struggling family. The character is known for her feud with Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper), who is the show's second longest-running character. It is one of the longest feuds in the history of American soap operas.
Their rivalry began when Kay's husband Phillip Chancellor II fell in love with Jill, who became pregnant with his son. Phillip was killed in an accident. They fought over custody of Jill's son, Phillip Chancellor III, as well as Kay's other husbands, Derek Thurston and Rex Sterling. In 2003, in a twist it was revealed by Kay's old friend Charlotte Ramsey that Jill was Katherine's long lost daughter. However, their history was re-written in 2009; Charlotte had made this up for revenge against Katherine, and they in fact weren't mother and daughter. In 2010, Jill found out that she is the daughter of Neil Fenmore.
Dickson's portrayal of Jill was popular with viewers, and the ratings rose following her return in 1984. Walton's portrayal has also been met with acclaim, and she won three Daytime Emmy Awards. The character has been described by both actresses as manipulative. Walton has compared her to Scarlett O'Hara from Gone with the Wind, while Dickson said that Alexis Colby from the television series Dynasty could use "lessons in rottenness" from her. John Goudas of The Miami News said that the show "flourishes when her character takes center stage." Nekeeta Borden of the website Zap2It noted that Jill has always craved for a sense of belonging. She is described as an integral part of The Young and the Restless.
Famous quotes containing the words jill, foster and/or abbott:
“From the beginning, the placement of [Clarence] Thomas on the high court was seen as a political end justifying almost any means. The full story of his confirmation raises questions not only about who lied and why, but, more important, about what happens when politics becomes total war and the truth—and those who tell it—are merely unfortunate sacrifices on the way to winning.”
—Jane Mayer, U.S. journalist, and Jill Abramson b. 1954, U.S. journalist. Strange Justice, p. 8, Houghton Mifflin (1994)
“Charles Foster Kane: Look, Mr. Carter. Here is a three-column headline in the Chronicle. Why hasn’t the Inquirer a three-column headline?
Carter: News wasn’t big enough.
Charles Foster Kane: Mr. Carter, if the headline is big enough, it makes the news big enough.”
—Orson Welles (1915–1985)
“It’s all sorts of middle-aged white men in suits—forests of middle-aged men in dark suits. All slightly red-faced from eating and drinking too much.”
—Diane Abbott (b. 1953)