Lee Phillip Bell, Co-Creator of ‘Young and the Restless’ & 'The Bold and the Beautiful’ Dies, CBS Reveals

On Tuesday, February 25, 2020, broadcast journalist Lee Phillip Bell passed away at the age of 91. The sad news was revealed by the Emmy Award winner’s three children.

In a statement, Bell’s children, William James Bell, Bradley Phillip Bell, and Lauralee Bell Martin revealed their mother had died. The star’s cause of death wasn’t shared with the public.

The trio’s statement read: “Our mother was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother.” They further noted the role she’d played in their lives stating: “Gracious and kind, she enriched the lives of all who knew her. We will miss her tremendously.”

Co-creator of two soap operas

Bell was famously known for co-creating CBS Daytime Drama, “The Young and the Restless,” in 1973 with her husband William J. Bell. In 1987, the pair then co-created “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Lee was also an Emmy winning journalist who produced her own show in Chicago called “The Lee Phillip Show.” She produced and starred on the show for CBS for 30 years.

Bell’s talk show

The producer was considered one of the pioneers of the afternoon talk show structure. Her work inspired many others that came after her.

Bell had the opportunity to interview famous people like Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan, and actors Judy Garland, Clint Eastwood, and Jerry Lewis. She also spoke to The Rolling Stones, The Beatles, Lucille Ball, Jack Benny, and Oprah Winfrey.

Some of her awards

In 1977, the star won the Governor’s Award and 16 regional Emmy Awards while she was in Chicago. She also gained several Golden Mike Awards as well.

Named Person of the Year

The producer was also awarded the Alfred I. Dupont/Columbia University Award for the special, “The Rape of Paulette.” She was named “Person of the Year” by the Broadcast Advertising Club of Chicago in 1980 and the “Outstanding Woman in Communications” by the Chicago YMCA.

Her real name and date of birth

Bell was born as Loreley June Phillip, named after a French flower, in Chicago, Illinois on June 9, 1928. Her parents were florists James A. and Helen (Novak) Phillip.

Bell’s survivors

“The Young and the Restless” shared their condolences for losing Bell on Instagram. The producer is survived by her three children, daughters-in-law Maria Arena Bell and Ambassador Colleen Bell, her son-in-law Scott Martin, and eight grandchildren.