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Production was dark on Tuesday and the offices were closed at "Y&R" as we mourned the passing of Bill Bell. Services were held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Beverly Hills, as hundreds of family, friends and industry colleagues gathered to say goodbye to the legendary writer, producer and visionary who was beloved by so many. In attendance were the entire casts and crews of "Y&R" and "The Bold and the Beautiful," as well as many other actors and producers. Speakers at the service included Mr. Bell's sister, Mary, Eric Braeden (Victor), former "Y&R" writer Jerry Birn, who was also one of Mr. Bell's best friends, and Mr. Bell's son, Brad.
Following the funeral, everyone gathered at the Beverly Hills Hotel's Crystal Ballroom for a lovely reception. John McCook of "The Bold and the Beautiful" hosted a joyous tribute to Mr. Bell's life and his effect on the world of television, as well as the effect he had on all of the people in attendance. After viewing a video tribute that included footage from Mr. Bell's television appearances and nostalgic home movie footage of Mr. Bell with his wife Lee Phillip Bell, and their children Bill, Jr., Brad and Lauralee, John introduced several speakers. Edward Scott, Supervising Producer for "Y&R" and Kay Alden, "Y&R" Head Writer, both gave moving tributes. "Y&R" Co-Executive Producer/Head Writer Jack Smith read a beautiful poem, called "Captured from the Air," that he had written for Mr. Bell's 70th birthday in 1997. Jeanne Cooper (Kay) had everyone rolling in the aisles as she recounted a hilarious story about a phone call with Mr. Bell that depicted their somewhat raucous relationship. Susan Flannery of "The Bold and the Beautiful" gave an eloquent speech about Mr. Bell's genius as a writer.
A heartwarming moment occurred when Brad Bell thanked everyone for coming to the service. When he thanked his mom, Lee, for all of her love and support, everyone gave her a standing ovation. As the event concluded, we were serenaded by two violinists playing the "Y&R" theme.
While the memorial service may be over, Mr. Bell's influence on the people at "Y&R," both in front of and behind the camera, lives on. He will never be forgotten.
- The Insider
Posted May 4, 2005 2:21 PM
Comments
Thank you very much for sharing Mr. Bell's service. It is still so sad to think about his loss.
I hope YR does a whole episode in tribute to some of Mr. Bell's best work on the show - bring us back down memory lane through clips throughout the hour. He was a daytime creative genius and he will be sorely missed. YR has not been the same since he stepped down from the helm.
My prayers are with his family and to all of those whose lives he touched!
Posted by: canadalovesyr at May 4, 2005 4:16 PM
Thank you for posting this and letting us the fans know how the service was conducted. God Bless Bill Bell and may he rest in peace. My condolences to the remaining Bell family.
Posted by: A Y&R B&B fan. at May 4, 2005 4:32 PM
What a lovely article. Mr. Bell will be truly missed by all the loyal Y&R and B&B viewers.
His contribute to daytime television will never be forgotten.
Posted by: Jessica at May 4, 2005 5:27 PM
My heartfelt condolences go out to the Bell family as well as the cast and crew of both Y&R and B&B.. He was a creative genius who will be sorely missed by many.. May he Rest in Peace..
Posted by: Marika at May 4, 2005 8:21 PM
Thank you for sharing this with us, his most loyal fans.
I was very moved to see the tribute at the end of today's airing of Y&R. Absolutely, Thank you for the Memories Bill Bell. May you rest with the Angels.
Posted by: Soapgranny at May 5, 2005 9:07 AM
This is really, really beautiful. Thank you for realizing that there are millions of us who felt touched by Mr. Bell and his oeuvre, and who would have loved to have participated in his farewell too. With this touching summary, I feel like we did.
Posted by: MarkH at May 6, 2005 7:04 AM
Thank you sharing, this sounds like a lovely and fitting tribute to a kind, talented man.
peace be with Mr. Bell and his family
Posted by: christine at May 6, 2005 12:04 PM
I just wanted to say to the Bell family&the Y&R family how sorry to hear of Mr. Bell's passing. He was a wonderful writer&will be missed by all of his fans.
Posted by: Jill Tidwell at May 15, 2005 10:49 PM
I was very sad to hear about the passing of William J Bell. My Condolances go out to his wife Lee Phillip Bell, his children Bill JR, Bradley, and lauralee, his grandchildren, the cast and crew of the young and the restless and the bold and the beautiful. I was very glad they had a tribute after the show to honor such a great and inspiring man as William J Bell. Thank you for sharing with us how the service was conducted. He will truly be missed
Posted by: Kelly at May 22, 2005 2:42 AM
I'm sorryto hear about Mr Bell's passing. My mother has Alzheimer's and I empathize w/ what the family has endured and what Mr Bell had to endure. He is with his God now, and I want to say, I have always been so impressed and happy to hear the inferences to God and religion on the show. I hope this continues.
Posted by: Marci at May 24, 2005 5:40 AM
I am very sorry to hear Mr. Bell passed on. This
must have been a very hard time; watching your loved one slowly die from such a dibilatating
disease. I cried for the Bell family and Bill Bell.
He is now out of his misery.I lost my first husband to a blood clot on the brain. I just
want to say I love the young and restless.
The performances and story lines keep me watching
Posted by: wendy krebs at May 24, 2005 1:09 PM
I was saden to hear about the loss of William Bell. My heart goes out to his family and friends. God Bless them all.
Posted by: Roberta Keel at May 24, 2005 8:22 PM
My sympathies to all that suffered the loss of Bill Bell. As for the viewer that compared the loss of our fictional character Cassie with the tragic deaths of JFK and JFK Jr.---ARE YA KIDDIN ME!!!!!!!!!!! Lets not confuse our favorite soap with REALITY .
Posted by: liz Powers at May 27, 2005 5:59 AM
The characters and the writers get to be like my own family after watching daily over twenty five years. Mr Bell's legacy will live on. May God continue to bless the entire Y&R family.
Posted by: Christi at June 1, 2005 8:35 PM