 Eileen Davidson, in a still from Days of Our Lives. Eileen Davidson (born June 15, 1959) is an American soap opera actress. She was born in Artesia, California.
She originated the role of Ashley Abbott Newman Carlton on The Young and the Restless in 1982. After leaving the show in 1989, she tried her hand at nighttime television. Her show, Broken Badges (1990-1991), flopped. She went back to daytime, where she assumed the role of Kelly Capwell on Santa Barbara (1991-1993). When that show ended, she was offered the role of Kristen Blake DiMera Black on Days of Our Lives. Three years into her stint in 1996, head writer James E. Reilly had her take on the trashier persona of Susan Banks. Her dual characters were such a hit that Reilly penned three more for her to play (Mary Moira, Thomas, and Penelope). While Davidson stated she had fun playing the roles, five characters had worn her out, and she asked to leave the show. Her character, Kristen, was killed by her alter-ego, Susan, and all of the characters were subsequently written out in 1998.
After a year-long vacation, she returned to her role on The Young and the Restless in 1999, where she remains today. Davidson, once married to former General Hospital and Port Charles actor Jon Robert Lindstrom, is currently betrothed to actor Vince Van Patten.
Rumors
Some rumors have surrounded Davidson for more than fifteen years is that she is a transsexual woman. Other branches of the rumor suggest she is a transsexual woman and lives, biologically, as a man, amongst others. According to published reports, the rumor dates as far back as 1985, when Davidson was first on The Young and the Restless. She spoke out against the rumors in 1999:
People swear they saw me on Donahue talking about my surgery. But it was Tula, who has long blond hair and angular features like I do. I never appeared on Donahue, and I am not a transsexual. [1] (http://snopes.com/radiotv/tv/restless.htm)
Even after she gave birth in 2003, the rumor is as widespread as it has been.
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