YR: Lee Phillip Bell Has Died

[John]

https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tv-pioneer-lee-phillip-bell-passes-away/

 

Emmy Award-winning broadcast journalist Lee Phillip Bell passed away on February 25, 2020 at age 91, according to her children, William James Bell, Bradley Phillip Bell and Lauralee Bell Martin. “Our mother was a loving and supportive wife, mother and grandmother,” they said in a statement. “Gracious and kind, she enriched the lives of all who knew her. We will miss her tremendously.” Born in Chicago, Illinois on June 9, 1928, Bell was co-creator, along with her late husband William J. Bell, of Y&R in 1973 and B&B in 1987.  Bell’s career as a broadcast journalist began in Chicago, where she hosted and produced her own show THE LEE PHILLIP SHOW, for CBS TV for over 30 years. A pioneer in the evolution of the afternoon talk show format, Bell was a trailblazer in the exploration of timely social issues and concerns.  Additionally, she produced and narrated numerous award-winning specials and documentaries covering social concerns such as foster children, the subject of rape, children and divorce, and babies born to women in prison, to name a few. Bell interviewed heads of state such as Presidents Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan; film actors Judy Garland, Clint Eastwood and Jerry Lewis; musicians such as The Rolling Stones and The Beatles; television and stage stars such as Lucille Ball, Jack Benny and Oprah Winfrey; and many other politicians, authors, journalists, fashion designers and rock stars. She was awarded 16 regional (Chicago) Emmy awards and numerous Golden Mike awards. Bell is also the recipient of the Alfred I. Dupont/Columbia University Award for the special, THE RAPE OF PAULETTE, the first program in Chicago to explore the issue. In 1977, she was the first woman to receive the coveted Governors Award from the Chicago chapter of the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences.  In 1980, she was named “Person of the Year” by the Broadcast Advertising Club of Chicago and the “Outstanding Woman in Communications” by the Chicago YMCA.  She also received the Salvation Army’s William Booth Award for her distinguished career in communications and social service. Bell won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Drama Series as co-creator of The Young and the Restless in 1975 and was recipient of the Daytime Emmys’ Lifetime Achievement Award in 2007. In addition to her children, Lee Phillip Bell is survived by her daughters-in-law Maria Arena Bell and Ambassador Colleen Bell, her son-in-law Scott Martin and eight grandchildren. 

[BetterForgotten]

RIP,  she's with Bill again at least. 

[Khan]

My condolences to the entire Bell family, and to everyone at B&B and Y&R.

 

RIP.

[dragonflies]

 

[Gray Bunny]

RIP Sweet woman, loved and respected by all. I met her multiple times, along with Bill during his final months. 

[VanessaReardon]

Not a shock. She was old. 

[BetterForgotten]

And? I'm not sure what you're trying to get out of that statement and I'm not sure anyone has said this is a shock to them. 

[John]

Iam begging to wonder if  comment #6  is from a Bot? Because that response seemed so heartless to me

Just from a heartless/soul-less person it seems

[BetterForgotten]

Probably still upset about GL and ATWT's cancellation and taking it out on the surviving soaps per usual.

[DRW50]

Sorry to hear about her passing. I was glad to get to see a few of the talk show episodes on Youtube a while back. And I'm sure she had her share of influence at the soaps.

[YRfan23]

so sad about this!

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what a legacy to leave behind! My condolences to her entire family! I hope she’s with Jeanne, Darlene and many others, and of course may she and Bill be together forever! 
 

RIP!! 

[DramatistDreamer]

Someone once said something to the effect that, no matter the age, death will always come as a surprise. This is a bit of sad news, even for us who no longer watch Y&R or rue what it's become, because most of us appreciate the decades that this show has entertained us and Lee Phillip is part and parcel of that coming to fruition. I'm sparing a thought for her children, grandchildren, family and loved ones. May she rest in peace.

[mango]

So sorry to hear of her passing. She was part of a wonderful legacy, one that touched many of us dearly. Thoughts and prayers to her loved ones.

[BoldRestless]

RIP and condolences to the Bell family.  

[will81]

That is sad news. As much as I go on about Bill, Lee was a big part of making the show I love and she was, as Melody said, a true pioneer, especially with her talk show as well. So if I could put this out there, Congratulations to Lee and the great work she did in her life, and thank you for being part of something that was/is such a big part of my life.