Eileen Davidson
So who is Eileen Davidson really? Eileen was born on June 15, 1959, in Artesia, California. Eileen is the daughter of Charlotte and Richard Davidson. Eileen is an American film and soap opera actress and author. She started her career as a model in Mexico City and California. When she started to follow acting lessons for some commercials she took it so well she was sent to auditions for other acting roles. Eileen guest-starred in one episode of The Phoenix and then originated the role of Ashley Abbott in the Young and the Restless. Most people will in fact know Eileen from portraying Ashley on Y&R. Eileen quit the show in 1988. A couple of years later Eileen appeared in primetime television, but her show Broken Badges was quickly canceled. She returned to daytime when she portrayed Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara. That show ended in 1993. Only a couple months later Eileen appeared as Kristen Blake on Days of Our Lives.
You can read the complete story of that character on the 'Kristen Blake' page on this site. Eileen portrayed Kristen for five years. When James Reilly took over as head writer he made Kristen a villain and Eileen became one of the true stars of the show. Eileen did an amazing job in portraying Susan Banks, a somewhat crazy woman who would interfere with Kristen's plans. Later, Eileen would also play the roles of Susan's relatives sister Mary Moira, Thomas and Penelope. So at one time Eileen was portraying five roles in one and the same show! She earned herself a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstading Lead Actress in 1998. That was the last year Eileen appeared on Days. In 1999 she returned to Y&R for a succesfull period of 7 years. Eileen earned a new nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2003. In 2006 Eileen was fired due to lack of storyline. There were some rumors about a possible return to Days, but Eileen signed a 3-year contract with the Bold and The Beautiful to once again play the character of Ashley Abbott. In the meantime Eileen had started a clothing company called Femmeology. Eileen started her 3rd stint at Y&R on September 26, 2008. In May 2012 she was let go from the show. On July the 5th it was made official that Eileen would return to Days of Our Lives to portray Kristen Blake again. During her acting career Eileen also played in movies like "Goin' All The Way", "The House on Sorority Row", "Sharing Richard", "Easy Wheels" and "Eternity". Eileen also started her writing career in late 2008. She co-wrote with Robert J. Randisi a mistery set in daytime called "Death in Daytime". Three more books have followed already named "Dial Emmy for Murder", "Diva Las Vegas" and "Swingin' in the rain".
As for her personal life, Eileen is married to Vince Van Patten. They got married on April 15, 2003. Together they have one son named Jesse. He was Born on May 20, 2003.