#TBT: Eileen Davidson’s Emmy-Winning Acting Chops

The 'RHOBH' newbie has played some of the most iconic villainesses in Soap history.

By Pat Cauley Dec 4, 2014, 12:56 PM ET

Every Thursday, celebrate #TBT with us as we open the vault to share photos of Bravolebrities before they were famous--or revisit memorable moments from our shows. In honor of Eileen Davidson’s RHOBH debut, we’re looking back at some of her most memorable TV roles.

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This week, RHOBH fans were introduced to our newest ‘Wife, Eileen Davidson. Even though her illustrious acting career has included starring roles in the cult classic film The House on Sorority Row and the primetime CBS crime series Broken Badges, Eileen is best known as daytime soap royalty.

In her opening RHOBH tagline, Eileen playfully says, “I’m not a bitch, but I play one on TV.” So, who is the character that Eileen’s referring to? Well, truthfully, she’s referring to quite a few characters, even multiple characters on the same show!

A novelty in the soap world, Eileen is most revered for her roles as Kristen DiMera on NBC’s Days of Our Lives and Ashley Abbott on CBS’ The Young and the Restless, which also included a cross over stint playing Ashley on the Y&R’s sister soap, The Bold and the Beautiful. Her spotlight may have shone brightest on Days of Our Lives when she assumed the role of four other characters in addition to Kristen. Her five-character undertaking earned her a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1998.

In addition to a 2003 nod for her role as Ashley on the Y&R, this spring, Eileen was nominated for a third Daytime Emmy Award again for Days of Our Lives. Here’s a clip of Eileen as Kristen DiMera on Days that helped her snag the nomination.

After over 30 years of stirring the soap pot, Eileen finally took home the Emmy on June 22, 2014. Watch a clip of her gracious acceptance speech:

Albeit less bitchy, here’s one of Eileen’s character Ashley Abbott’s emotional exits from The Young and the Restless.

Yet, fans shouldn’t fret about the absence of Ashley Abbott or Kristen DiMera. In this recent clip on Home & Family, Eileen talks candidly about reprising her roles on The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives respectfully.