Ashley Jones

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Ashley Jones (Bridget, B&B)

Vital Statistics

THE 411

Given her already-extensive resumé, one may be surprised to learn how young Ashley Jones is. However, this showbiz vet has been working for more than two decades, starting with her first commercial, which she did at age 5. Since then, the Memphis, TN-born actress (she was raised in Houston, TX) has stayed involved in the industry. At 11, she was performing in community theater, and at 15, she was commuting to L.A., where she recurred as Chad Allen's (Matthew) girlfriend, Ingrid, on DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN.

After that, the high school student took a break to resume life with her family in Texas, where her dad, Shawn, is a Church Of Christ minister. She then attended Pepperdine University in California and returned to acting. Jones didn't have too much trouble finding work. After starring in teleflicks SHE FOUGHT ALONE (1995) and OUR SON, THE MATCHMAKER (1996), she landed the role of Megan on YOUNG AND RESTLESS in 1997.

During her three-year run on Y&R (she also briefly returned in 2001), Jones earned two Daytime Emmy nominations. It wasn't too surprising, then, that she had a steady string of jobs after leaving the show. Over the next four years, she appeared in four movies, including Old School in 2003 and Extreme Dating in 2004, did many guest spots (STRONG MEDICINE, 2000; V.I.P., 2001; CROSSING JORDAN, 2004), and acted in several plays. In 2003, her personal life became more exciting when she wed her friend since teenagedom, Noah Nelson. When B&B came calling in late 2004, Jones wasn't so sure she wanted to return to soaps or take over for three-time Emmy-winner Jennifer Finnigan (ex-Bridget). Still, she welcomed the challenge, and has been rewarded with almost non-stop front-burner stories. In addition to acting, Jones enjoys writing, hiking and hanging out with her dogs, Scottie and Kara.

TRIVIA
—Husband Noah is the son of COACH star Craig T. Nelson.
—Plays the violin.
—Is friends with Olympic gold medalist, ice-skater Tara Lipinski, who played Megan's friend Marnie on Y&R in 1999.
—Her great, great grandfather was also named Ashley.
—Met her husband when she was only 15 and was filming the miniseries, THE FIRE NEXT TIME, which starred his father.
—Starred in The King's Guard along with B&B co-star Lesley-Anne Down (Jackie) and Trevor St. John (Todd, ONE LIFE TO LIVE).
—Guest-starred on CROSSING JORDAN along with the previous Bridget, Jennifer Finnigan.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Other Soap Roles
YOUNG AND RESTLESS (Megan Dennison Viscardi, 1997-2000; summer, 2001)
TV Roles
CROSSING JORDAN (Beth Flaherty, 2004)
WITHOUT A TRACE (Trista Bowden, 2004)
FOR THE PEOPLE (Trista, 2002)
THE DISTRICT (Dana Rayburn, 2001)
V.I.P. (Anna Petrov, 2001)
STRONG MEDICINE (Shelly Lane, 2000)
OUR SON, THE MATCHMAKER (Young Winona, 1996)
SHE FOUGHT ALONE (Susan, 1995)
THE FIRE NEXT TIME (Linnie Morgan, 1993)
DR. QUINN, MEDICINE WOMAN (Ingrid, 1993)
Film Roles
Extreme Dating (Amanda, 2004)
Old School (Tracy, the caterer, 2003)
Devil's Prey (Susan, 2001)
The King's Guard (Princess Gwendolyn, 2000)
Theater Roles
Vanities (Kathy, 2005)
Writer's Block (2003)

MEMORABLE QUOTES

"The airtime for my character on Y&R definitely had its peaks and valleys. Megan was truly a supporting character, but Bridget isn't. So, I ended up working a lot more on B&B than Y&R, but I'm not complaining, I pray that it stays this way! I don't like having time on my hands because I can get a little crazy. Just ask my husband." — Soap Opera Digest, 6/7/05

"My parents made the decision that it was best for me to come home, finish high school and resume acting later on. At the time, I wasn't pleased, but it definitely was for the best. It's hard for any 15- or 16-year-old to know what's best for them. Although you may think you do, and you may act like you do, you just don't have enough experience to make long-term decisions." — Digest, 8/31/99

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