Jess Walton Fun Facts You May Not Know
There is a lot about the woman who portrays Jill Atkinson that fans might not be aware of.
Jess Walton is a beloved actress who took over the role of Jill Foster on The Young and the Restless in 1987. After Katherine Chancellor, Jeannie Cooper) and perhaps Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) Walton is one of the most famous females on the CBS daytime drama. Jess Walton actually was the third actress to portray Jill.
Brenda Dickson originated the character and when she left the role, was replaced by Deborah Adair. Dickson came back to The Young in the Restless in 1984, saying she would never leave again, but Jess Walton was chosen to play this iconic character in 1987.
One of the highlights of Jill was her famous feuds with her rival Katherine. At one point the two thought they may have been mother and daughter but Jill later found out that she had been adopted and that she shares the same biological father as Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E Bregman).
Jess Walton was actually born Mary Jesse Walton on February 18, 1949, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She was raised in Toronto, Canada and at the age of 17, left home and joined a theater company in Toronto. Mary Jesse moved to Hollywood in 1969 and signed with Universal Studios just one year later in 1970.
Like many soap stars, Walton had an impressive career prior to hitting it big in daytime. Soap fans get so used to their favorite characters they may forget, or not even have known that most paid their dues and had a long road to travel before becoming daytime television icons.
The soap veteran guest-starred in a number of popular television shows, during the 1970s including Gunsmoke, Barnaby Jones, Ironside, Kojak, Cannon, Medical Center, Marcus Welby, M.D., and The Rockford Files. In 1970 she co-starred with Donna Mills in the film The Strawberry Statement, and in 1971 she was the female lead in The Peace Keepers.
In 1974 Walton starred in Monkeys in the Attic and in 1977 she costarred with Donna Mills again this time in The Hunted Lady. Jess Walton was married to actor Bruce Davidson from 1972–73 but the marriage was annulled. within the year. In 1980 the actress sought treatment for alcohol and drug addiction by going to rehab.
In 1984, Walton decided to return to acting and took on the role of Kelly Harper on the CBS soap, Capitol, which was canceled in 1987. Three years later she won a Daytime Emmy for Best Supporting Actress as Jill on Y&R and won a Daytime Emmy Award for Lead Actress in a Drama Series in 1997.
In March 2009, rumors indicated that the actress had taken a medical leave but Nelson Branco of TV Guide Canada announced that she had been asked to accept a salary cut from The Young and the Restless and had decided to leave Jill behind. Not long after Walton signed a new contract and said her departure was related to family issues and the economy. Walton said she felt bad for all the people who had lost jobs and decided to remain with The Young and the Restless.
In February 2012, Walton signed a new contract with the CBS daytime drama, but in 2016 she took a leave of absence because she wanted to be on hand when her new grandchild was born. She and her husband were also moving to a new home in Oregon. Once she returned, the actress has been on a recurring basis. She recently came back to Genoa City to launch the Chancellor Enterprises Media Division and hired Billy and Lily to run it.
While Jill Foster, Abbott, Fenmore, Atkinson has gone through many relationships, the woman who portrays her has been with one man for 40 years. Jill stole Phillip Chancelor Jr. from Katherine, was married to John Abbott, and had an affair with his son Jack. Her last husband Colin Atkinson turned out to be nothing but a con man.
She also married Kay Chancellor's son Brock, Rex Sterling, Stuart Brooks, and Derek Thurston. The relationship between Katherine Chancellor and Jill was very rocky and at times led to physical altercations. Off-screen, however, Jess Walton and Jeanne Cooper were very good friends.
Jess Walton married Bruce Davidson in 1973, but the marriage was annulled one year later. Walton married John James in 1980, and the couple has two children. James passed away due to cancer in August 2021.
Jess Walton is also very fond of her most recent television husband who is portrayed by Tristan Rogers. In an interview the actress said that he always makes her laugh and it was difficult to do serious scenes with him. Fans loved the way Jill and Colin fought hard and loved even harder. They are an excellent portrayal of romance for those over age 50. Jess Walton said she enjoyed working with Rogers and fans of The Young and the Restless loved Jill and Colin together.
Sadly, Colin Atkinson is in prison for stealing Devon Hamilton's (Bryton James) money and Tristan Rogers, is back on contract as District Attorney Robert Scorpio on ABC's General Hospital. There may come a time in the future, however, where Jill and Colin can be together again. The actors had great chemistry and shared many memorable moments. Best of Luck to Jess Walton and Jill Atkinson in the future.
About the Creator
Cheryl E Preston
Cheryl is a widow who enjoys writing about current events, soap spoilers and baby boomer nostalgia. Tips are greatly appreciated.
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