'The Young And The Restless' Star Is Leaving The Show After 34 Years

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'The Young And The Restless' Star Is Leaving The Show After 34 Years

It doesn't matter how old you are, chances are you have watched at least an episode of the hit soap opera The Young and the Restless.

The long-running show, which follows the lives of the Brooks and Foster families, has been on the air since March 1973. Even today, it is the highest-rated daytime drama in America.

It's one of those shows that many of us have watched with our moms, daughters, sisters, and friends, and we cried along with the residents of the fictional Genoa City as they dealt with a ton of family drama, inexplicable deaths, and heartbreak both on and off the screen.

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Earlier this year, fans were startled to learn that Melissa Claire Egan, the actress who played reformed bad girl Chelsea Lawson, was leaving the show.

"After much thought and six wonderful years, I have decided to leave The Young & the Restless," she tweeted. "I love this show (and this genre) so very much, and am so grateful to this amazing crew and cast, especially my beyond wonderful Josh Morrow. This cast, crew, and everyone behind the scenes at Sony and CBS are truly the best at what they do and are my family. To you incredible fans, thank you for EVERYTHING. This isn't goodbye. Truly. Just goodbye for now."
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Now, fans of the Emmy-winning CBS drama have just been given another reason to shed some more tears: the actress who stars as Ashley Abbott will also be exiting the show.

Eileen Davidson is going to be saying goodbye in September after starring in nearly 1,500 episodes over the course of 34 years.

"Yes I am leaving my second home @YandR_CBS in September," tweeted Davidson, 59.

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She continued, "I've been so blessed to be able to play Ashley Abbott and work with the amazing people on the show and have nothing but gratitude and love for all!!! Time for a little more control over my day to day!"

The actress's fans flocked to social media to voice their heartbreak over her departure.

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Davidson also starred on Days of Our Lives, The Bold and Beautiful, and The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills.

Her decision to leave Y&R comes almost one year after announcing that she was walking away from Real Housewives after only three seasons. Once again, the mother-of-one cited her family as one of the reasons for quitting.

"After a lot of careful thought, I've decided because of my crazy schedules at The Young and The Restless, as well as Days of Our Lives, it's best for me and my family if I step away from being a Housewife for now," she said a statement. "But you never know, I might be popping in from time to time just to see what the ladies are up to!" added Davidson. "Thanks for your love and support guys!!!"

The Young and the Restless will surely not be the same once a face so familiar isn't on the show anymore, but at least fans will have a few more months until Davidson takes her final bow.

Blair isn't a bestselling author, but she has a knack for beautiful prose. When she isn't writing for Shared, she enjoys listening to podcasts.