'Y&R' and 'B&B' Creator: William J. Bell Passes - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

James"Thunder"Early · 04-30-2005, 08:39 PM

http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/boar...howtopic=10245

'Y&R' and 'B&B' Creator: William J. Bell Passes;
Innovator Lives Happy Life to the end
April 30, 2005 (SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- Released by CBS

WILLIAM J. BELL, LEGENDARY CREATOR OF CBS'
"THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS" AND "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL," PASSES AWAY APRIL 29, 2005 AT THE AGE OF 78

William J. Bell, the legendary and Emmy-Award winning daytime drama creator, died April 29, 2005 at the age of 78 of complications from Alzheimer’s.

Bell began his career in television in 1956 writing for "The Guiding Light" before co-creating "Our Private World" and "Another World." He was also a writer on "As the World Turns” from 1957-1966 and later became the head writer of "Days of Our Lives" in 1966. In 1973, while Bell was still the head writer on "Days of Our Lives," he and his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, created "The Young and the Restless." The series has been the Number One daytime program week after week for more than 16 years and has received numerous Emmy Awards, including six for Outstanding Drama Series, most recently in 2004. In 1987, the Bells co-created the hit CBS daytime drama, "The Bold and the Beautiful."

"Bill Bell is one of the true pioneers of daytime television, and his genius helped make CBS number one in this daypart for over 16 years," said Leslie Moonves, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Viacom and Chairman, CBS. "He is without peer in his ability to create the most compelling, endearing stories and characters, and keep them fascinating for years on end. That is his legacy, and the millions of viewers who have followed his shows are a testament to that rare gift. We are incredibly saddened by his passing, for the daytime community has lost a true legend and the CBS family has lost a friend. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, his children, Bill, Jr., Bradley and Lauralee, and the entire Bell family."

"Bill Bell’s talent, imagination and heart created a vast array of characters who have captivated audiences for generations," said Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President of Daytime Programs, CBS. "He was an unequaled visionary whose passion and devotion to the daypart helped to elevate dramatic serial storytelling to an art form. The legacy he leaves continues to unfold across televisions world wide. We join ‘The Young and Restless’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ families in mourning their founder, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Lee, and their children, Bill Jr., Bradley and Lauralee, who have been kind enough to share him with us."

Funeral services will be arranged at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.

HuntingtonM15 · 04-30-2005, 08:51 PM

This is really sad news. I'm sure it's a very sad day for the casts and crews of Y&R and B&B, especially Lauralee. He seemed like a very respected man. RIP Mr. Bell.

Jrnygrl · 05-01-2005, 12:15 AM

Thanks for the post. This is truly sad news!

RIP!

Sterling Holobyte · 05-01-2005, 01:03 AM

Oh crap. That sucks.

I feel sorry for his wife and kids.

Mr. Television · 05-01-2005, 01:40 AM

R.I.P.

USTVFanFromUK · 05-01-2005, 06:30 PM

He also co-created 'Another World' with the mother of all soaps Irna Philips, but the media never credits him for it. I'm glad this article points that out.

Sad to hear this and I hope he can rest in peace.

Kenzac · 05-01-2005, 07:45 PM

This is indeed sad news. To confirm that it was true, I emailed my friend, Tracey Bregman (Lauren Y&R). She confirmed it. Rest In Peace Mr. Bell. You will be missed and always remembered.

Miss Golden · 05-02-2005, 02:40 AM

I remember hearing he had Alzeheimer's a few months ago, but I did not realize he was dying. Anyway's RIP.

04-30-2005, 08:39 PM	#1
James"Thunder"Early Whoever's In New England Forum Veteran Join Date: Feb 23, 2004 Location: The Apollo Posts: 7,088	'Y&R' and 'B&B' Creator: William J. Bell Passes http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/boar...howtopic=10245 'Y&R' and 'B&B' Creator: William J. Bell Passes; Innovator Lives Happy Life to the end April 30, 2005 (SoapOperaNetwork.com) -- Released by CBS WILLIAM J. BELL, LEGENDARY CREATOR OF CBS' "THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS" AND "THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL," PASSES AWAY APRIL 29, 2005 AT THE AGE OF 78 William J. Bell, the legendary and Emmy-Award winning daytime drama creator, died April 29, 2005 at the age of 78 of complications from Alzheimer’s. Bell began his career in television in 1956 writing for "The Guiding Light" before co-creating "Our Private World" and "Another World." He was also a writer on "As the World Turns” from 1957-1966 and later became the head writer of "Days of Our Lives" in 1966. In 1973, while Bell was still the head writer on "Days of Our Lives," he and his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, created "The Young and the Restless." The series has been the Number One daytime program week after week for more than 16 years and has received numerous Emmy Awards, including six for Outstanding Drama Series, most recently in 2004. In 1987, the Bells co-created the hit CBS daytime drama, "The Bold and the Beautiful." "Bill Bell is one of the true pioneers of daytime television, and his genius helped make CBS number one in this daypart for over 16 years," said Leslie Moonves, Co-President and Co-Chief Operating Officer, Viacom and Chairman, CBS. "He is without peer in his ability to create the most compelling, endearing stories and characters, and keep them fascinating for years on end. That is his legacy, and the millions of viewers who have followed his shows are a testament to that rare gift. We are incredibly saddened by his passing, for the daytime community has lost a true legend and the CBS family has lost a friend. Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to his wife, Lee Phillip Bell, his children, Bill, Jr., Bradley and Lauralee, and the entire Bell family." "Bill Bell’s talent, imagination and heart created a vast array of characters who have captivated audiences for generations," said Barbara Bloom, Senior Vice President of Daytime Programs, CBS. "He was an unequaled visionary whose passion and devotion to the daypart helped to elevate dramatic serial storytelling to an art form. The legacy he leaves continues to unfold across televisions world wide. We join ‘The Young and Restless’ and ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’ families in mourning their founder, and we extend our deepest sympathies to his beloved wife Lee, and their children, Bill Jr., Bradley and Lauralee, who have been kind enough to share him with us." Funeral services will be arranged at the Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, Calif. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association.
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05-01-2005, 01:03 AM	#4
Sterling Holobyte Harper House Senior Member Join Date: Nov 07, 2002 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 2,896	Oh crap. That sucks. I feel sorry for his wife and kids.
	__________________ "Let it go. Forget about it. Try smiling." -Michael Harris WPIV studio producer/shoe salesman/grocery store employee/Ex-sanitarium patient/Stephanie's boyfriend-then husband --------------------------------------------------- My 2nd First Blog:http://saturdaymorningfunnies.wordpress.com/

05-01-2005, 01:40 AM	#5
Mr. Television 23 Years at Sitcoms Online Forum Icon Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Location: Somewhere you're Not Posts: 62,133	R.I.P.
	__________________ Sonny

05-01-2005, 07:45 PM	#7
Kenzac Drew Barrymore Fan!! Occasional Poster Join Date: Mar 17, 2005 Location: USA Posts: 41	Sad news This is indeed sad news. To confirm that it was true, I emailed my friend, Tracey Bregman (Lauren Y&R). She confirmed it. Rest In Peace Mr. Bell. You will be missed and always remembered.

04-30-2005, 08:51 PM	#2
HuntingtonM15 That Bothers Me Moderator Forum Star Join Date: Jun 20, 2003 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 11,060	This is really sad news. I'm sure it's a very sad day for the casts and crews of Y&R and B&B, especially Lauralee. He seemed like a very respected man. RIP Mr. Bell.

05-01-2005, 12:15 AM	#3
Jrnygrl Member Forum 4000 Club Member Join Date: Nov 03, 2003 Location: wheel in the sky Posts: 4,540	Thanks for the post. This is truly sad news! RIP!

05-01-2005, 06:30 PM	#6
USTVFanFromUK Member Forum Regular Join Date: Jan 24, 2004 Posts: 553	He also co-created 'Another World' with the mother of all soaps Irna Philips, but the media never credits him for it. I'm glad this article points that out. Sad to hear this and I hope he can rest in peace.

05-02-2005, 02:40 AM	#8
Miss Golden Member Senior Member Join Date: Jun 06, 2003 Posts: 1,231	I remember hearing he had Alzeheimer's a few months ago, but I did not realize he was dying. Anyway's RIP.