Jess Walton Bio

(Jill, Y&R)

JPI

the 411

BIRTHDATE: February 18
HOMETOWN: Grand Rapids, MI, though she was raised in Toronto, Canada
MARITAL STATUS: Married to grief recovery authority John W. James since 1980.
CHILDREN: Has one adult son, Cole with James; Walton is also stepmother to James's daughter, Allison.

Born in Grand Rapids, MI, and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Jess Walton got her start in showbiz when she was only 17 and joined the Toronto Workshop Productions' Repertory Theater. In 1969, she moved to Hollywood.

While in California, Walton dated a music manager, which gave her the opportunity to spend time with legendary artists Neil Young, Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell.

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et cetera 5 random facts
  1. One of the illustrated houses featured on Joni Mitchell's Ladies of the Canyon album cover was based on one that belonged to Walton at the time.
  2. Was introduced to her husband John W. James at a party by TV Guide writer Mary Murphy.
  3. Starred with Clint Ritchie (ex-Clint, ONE LIFE TO LIVE) in The Peace Killers.
  4. In 2003, she and her real-life son, Cole, played mother and son in the play Raw Comedy, Nothing Half-Baked.
  5. Her other jobs have included being a "dime-a-dance" girl, cocktail waitress and a claims adjuster.
stories featuring
Jess Walton
Y&R's Walton Out!   Apr 2, 2012

Jess Walton, who has portrayed Y&R's Jill Abbott Fenmore since 1987, is leaving the show...

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Y&R Star Staying Put   Feb 23, 2012

After months of protracted negotiations, Jess Walton (Jill, Y&R), who had recently moved to Oregon, has...

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Jess Walton: World Traveler, Homebody   Aug 22, 2005

THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Jess Walton (Jill) says her life isn't particularly exciting, but you be the judge after...

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Jess Walton: A Jill a Minute   May 27, 2004

Jess Walton has seen tons of schemes, deceit and laughs in her 17 years as THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS' Jill Foster...

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Other Roles

Other Soap Roles
CAPITOL (Kelly Harper/Shelley Granger, 1984-87)

TV Roles
RETURN OF THE MOD SQUAD (Kate Kelsey, 1979)
MRS. COLUMBO (Judy Arno, 1979)
BARNABY JONES (Doris Carson, 1977)
SWITCH (Angel Mendarez, 1977)
THE STREETS OF SAN FRANCISCO (Lois Flynn, 1976)
BARETTA (Guest Star, 1976)
JIGSAW JOHN (Guest Star, 1976)
STARSKY AND HUTCH (Theresa Defusto, 1975)
CANNON (Janice Elder/Janet Coin, 1975; Melanie, 1973)
S.W.A.T. (Carole Ritchie, 1975)
GUNSMOKE (Kattalin Larralde, 1975; Patricia Colby O'Brien, 1973)
THE ROCKFORD FILES (Laura Smith, 1975)
THE SIX MILLION DOLLAR MAN (Ellen Jane "E.J." Haskell, 1975)
IRONSIDE (Debbie, 1973; Jennifer, 1974)
MARCUS WELBY, M.D. (Guest Star, 1974, 1972)

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All My Children

Bold and Beautiful

Days of our Lives

General Hospital

One Life to Live

Young and Restless