Jill Abbott

Jill Abbott
Jess Walton as Jill Abbott
The Young and the Restless character
Portrayed by	Brenda Dickson (1973–80, 1983–87) Bond Gideon (1980) Deborah Adair (1980–83, 1986) Melinda O. Fee (1984) Jess Walton (1987–)
Duration	1973–
First appearance	March 1973
Created by	William J. Bell
Introduced by	William J. Bell and John Conboy
Classification	Present, regular
Profile
Other names	Jill Fenmore Atkinson Jill Foster Abbott Jill Abbott Fenmore Jill Foster
Occupation	Businesswoman Manicurist
Home	Genoa City, Wisconsin
Family Abbott Father Neil Fenmore Adoptive parents Bill Foster Liz Foster Brothers Snapper Foster (adoptive) Greg Foster (adoptive) Half-sisters Lauren Fenmore Husband Brock Reynolds (1975) Phillip Chancellor II (1975) Stuart Brooks (1978) Derek Thurston (1978) John Abbott (1982–86, 1993–96) Rex Sterling (1990) Colin Atkinson (2011, 2014–) Sons Phillip Chancellor III Billy Abbott Grandsons Chance Chancellor Johnny Abbott Granddaughters Delia Abbott Katie Newman Uncles Bruce Henderson (adoptive) Aunts Regina Henderson (adoptive) Nephews Chuckie Roulland (adoptive) Scotty Grainger Fenmore Baldwin Nieces Jennifer Foster (adoptive) First cousins Mark Henderson (adoptive) Lorie Brooks (adoptive)

Jill Abbott is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. The longest-running (and only remaining original) character, Jill was created and introduced by William J. Bell. Originally portrayed by Brenda Dickson, when Dickson departed in 1980, the role was first recast with Deborah Adair. In 1983, Dickson returned. However, though she stated she would never leave again, she was replaced by Jess Walton in 1987, who continues in the role today.

When she debuted, Jill was an 18-year-old manicurist working to support her struggling family. The character is known for her feud with Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper); it is the longest feud in the history of American soap operas. Their rivalry began when she fell in love and slept with Katherine's husband Phillip Chancellor II (Donnelly Rhodes) and became pregnant. Following Phillip's accidental death, the women fought over custody of Jill's son, Phillip Chancellor III (Thom Bierdz), as well as numerous of Katherine's other husbands. A 2003 plot twist shockingly revealed Jill to be Katherine's long lost biological daughter, although in 2009, former head writer Maria Arena Bell rewrote their history, reversing that decision. In 2010, Jill discovered she is the daughter of Neil Fenmore (Jim Storm).

The character is described as an integral part of the soap opera. Both Dickson and Walton have characterized her as "manipulative". Walton, who classes her as a "savvy businesswoman", has opined she is similar to Gone with the Wind character Scarlett O'Hara. Critics have described her as both vindictive and a vixen. John Goudas of The Miami News said that the show "flourishes when her character takes center stage", while Nekeeta Borden of Zap2it noted that Jill has always craved a sense of belonging despite her personality. Walton's portrayal has been met with acclaim, for which she has earned two Daytime Emmy Awards.