List of The Young and the Restless characters introduced in the 1990s
The following is a list of notable characters from the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless that do not have their own pages but significantly impacted storylines and debuted between January 1990 and December 1999.
Lillie Belle Barber
Lillie Belle Barber first appeared in 1990 as the mother of Olivia and Drucilla Barber. The role was originated by Norma Donaldson, who portrayed the role for four years before being replaced by Robin Braxton briefly in 1994.History
Lillie Belle and her husband Walter are the parents of Drucilla and Olivia Barber. Lillie Belle, in particular, tended to favor her older daughter, Olivia, because Drucilla was the product of Walter and Lillie Belle having unprotected sex. The favoritism of Olivia over Drucilla caused Dru to run away from home to Genoa City as a teenager. Years later, when Lillie Belle and Walter reunited with Drucilla during a visit to Genoa City, she discovered the truth about her conception. Olivia was furious over this revelation and berated her mother mercilessly for mistreating her sister for her entire life. Later, Lillie Belle returned to town after leaving Walter, and she decided to live with Olivia and her husband, Nathan Hastings. Lillie Belle caused various problems in their marriage, and she remained a problem for everyone due to her health situation. Dru tried to get Lillie Belle to move in with her, but Lillie Belle, once again, chose Olivia over Dru. Eventually, Walter arrived and took Lillie Belle back home.
In September 2023, Lily revealed Walter and Lillie Belle had been deceased for years.
Walter Barber
Walter Barber first appeared in 1990 as the father of the late Drucilla Barber, and Olivia Barber. The role was originated by Henry Sanders, and then taken over by Bennett Guillory from 1992 to 1994.History
Walter and his wife Lillie Belle were married in 1957. Lillie Belle, in particular, tended to favor her older daughter, Olivia, because Drucilla was the product of Walter and Lillie Belle having unprotected sex. The favoritism of Olivia over Drucilla caused Dru to run away from home to Genoa City as a teenager. Years later, when Lillie Belle and Walter reunited with Drucilla during a visit to Genoa City, she discovered the truth about her conception. Walter assured Drucilla that he always accepted her despite the fact that the pregnancy was unplanned. Olivia was furious over this revelation and berated her mother mercilessly for mistreating her sister for her entire life. Later, Lillie Belle returned to town after leaving Walter, and she decided to live with Olivia and her husband, Nathan Hastings. Lillie Belle caused various problems in their marriage, and she remained a problem for everyone due to her health situation. Dru tried to get Lillie Belle to move in with her, but Lillie Belle, once again, chose Olivia over Drucilla. Eventually, Walter arrived and took Lillie Belle back home.
In September 2023, Lily revealed Walter and Lillie Belle had been deceased for years.
Molly Carter
Molly Carter first appeared on March 7, 1991, on The Young and the Restless the mother of Sheila Carter, portrayed by Marilyn Alex. The character departed Y&R in 1993, and returned again briefly in 1995. From October 8 to November 20, 1992, the character appeared on its sister soap The Bold and the Beautiful. The character appeared again on B&B on January 6, 1993; May 4, 1993; January 11, 1994; January 14, 1994; April 7, 1994; and from January 23, 1997, to April 27, 1998.History
Molly Carter is the mother of former nurse Sheila Carter, and Sarah Smythe. When Molly visited her daughter in 1991, she discovered that Sheila stole Lauren Fenmore's newborn son, Scotty, and was passing him off as her own. After Molly suffered a stroke that left her inarticulate, Sheila sent her back to her farmhouse in Michigan, but Molly partly regained her voice and was able to communicate the truth to Lauren. Furious, Sheila kidnapped both Lauren and Molly and held them hostage at the farmhouse. An accidental fire broke loose and everyone believed Sheila perished in the flames. Lauren and Molly were rescued by Paul Williams and his secretary, Lynne Bassett.
It was revealed that Sheila had escaped the farmhouse fire and started a new life in Los Angeles. She began to use Molly to win Lauren's favor in the hopes that Lauren would eventually forgive her for her crimes. Then, Sheila could marry the renowned fashion CEO, Eric Forrester. Her plan, however, did not work; Lauren and Sheila remained at odds for years. Molly returned to Los Angeles years later to attend Sheila's wedding to James Warwick.
Florence Webster
Florence "Flo" Webster is the mother of Nina Webster, portrayed by Sharon Farrell from 1991 to 1997. Florence was Farrell's first role on daytime television. Charlie Mason from Soaps She Knows referred to the character as "trashy" and called Farrell a "Scene Stealer".History
Florence, also known as "Flo", came to Genoa City in 1991, living with her daughter Nina Webster for a few years. Flo worked as a part-time prostitute. She later was conned by a romance of her daughter, David Kimble into marrying him, believing his name was "Jim Adams". Their marriage was declared invalid. In 1997, Flo left Genoa City and moved to Los Angeles.
Hilary Lancaster
Hilary Lancaster was portrayed by Kelly Garrison from April 24, 1991 to May 5, 1993.Blade Bladeson
Alexander "Blade" Bladeson first appeared in 1992. He is the twin brother of Rick Bladeson. Both Bladeson twins were portrayed by actor Michael Tylo until 1995.History
Blade was introduced as a Jabot Cosmetics photographer in 1992. After engaging in an affair with Jill Abbott, Blade began dating Ashley Abbott but Blade would not open up to her about his past beyond telling her that Blade was a stage name, he was escaping his past and he had a brother. They fell in love and married. They took up residence at the Abbott mansion awaiting the building of their new home. In 1994, Blade helps Malcolm Winters become Genoa City's most prominent photographer. Blade's former lover Mari Jo Mason comes to town telling him she read about his upcoming marriage to Ashley Abbott. Mari Jo said she wanted to see him, but Blade refused. Later, Blade couldn't identify the "Mari-Lyn" who sent him a painting as a wedding gift. As head of Jabot's art department, Mari Jo was working with Ashley. Afterward, Blade told Marilyn not to call him again. They both agreed to keep their shared past a secret. Blade never forgave Mari Jo for sleeping with his twin brother, Rick. Mari Jo knew that Blade heard Rick's cries for help while he supposedly drowned. She used that knowledge to her advantage.
In November 1994, Rick turned up alive in Genoa City and was angry with his brother for leaving him to die. Rick went on to date Mari Jo again. Ashley saw them together, and she thought Blade was having an affair. Blade was unable to explain things to Ashley without revealing the truth. Mari Jo went on to fall in love with Ashley's brother, Jack Abbott, while Ashley and Blade try to work on their marriage. Rick kidnapped Blade and replaced him as Ashley's husband. Ashley was overjoyed in the sudden change "Blade" goes through, but Blade managed to escape and convinced Rick to leave town. They switch places a few more times. One night Rick, again impersonating Blade, was with Ashley in her and Blade's bedroom when Blade called. Blade heard Ashley talking in the background and Rick taunting Blade, threatening to have sex with Ashley and impregnate her. Blade told Rick he was coming over to stop him and quickly drove home. Rick left the house to stop Blade, but Blade was killed in a tragic car wreck when his car was hit by a train. Rick left, leaving Ashley thinking Blade had died after he left the house. When Rick returned to attend Blade's funeral, he revealed the entire truth to Ashley and she decided to leave Genoa City to privately deal with the pain of her husband's death. Jill and Mari Jo soon learn of Rick's sick game and convinced Rick to leave town.
Steve Connelly
Steve Connelly first appeared in April 1992, and would later be known as the husband of Traci Abbott. The role was originated by Greg Wrangler until August 1992, and again from 1993 to 1996. The character returned from September 21 to December 17, 2001, and again from September 21 to October 9, 2009.Steve Connelly was the publisher of Traci's book. He moved to Genoa City to help Traci out with writing. The two bonded and soon started a relationship, which caused her ex-husband, Brad Carlton, to become jealous. Traci eventually decided to leave town and go to New York with Steve and her daughter with Brad, Colleen. Steve and Traci got married off-screen. In 2001, Traci revealed that Steve was cheating on her, and she moved back to Genoa City. Colleen was hurt by the fighting between Traci and Steve, while Ashley Abbott, who feared that Traci's return might threaten her current marriage to Brad, encouraged Traci to try and work on her marriage with Steve. Steve and Traci eventually reconciled and returned to New York with Colleen. Steve returned to Genoa City in 2009 to support Traci after Colleen tragically died.
Nate Hastings
Nate Hastings first appeared on September 22, 1992, when he was born onscreen as the son of Olivia Barber and Nathan Hastings, Sr. The character was portrayed by a series of child actors between 1992 and 2002. The character briefly returned in February 2011 after a 9-year absence, portrayed by Walter Fauntleroy.Casting
The role was originated by Shantel and Shenice Buford from 1992 to 1995, during which Ashaneese and Nasharin Holderness served as back-up in 1993. Christopher Pope then took over in 1995, before being replaced by Malcolm Hunter that same year. Bryant Jones then portrayed the role from 1996 to 2002 on contract. In 2011, the role was briefly portrayed by Walter Fauntleroy. In June 2018, Entertainment Weekly reported that former Shadowhunters actor Brooks Darnell has been cast as Nate, making his debut on July 3, 2018. In March 2019, with the installation of new head writer Josh Griffith, it was announced that actor Sean Dominic had been chosen as a recast for the role; debuting on April 10, 2019.
History
Nate is the son of Olivia Barber Winters and her first husband, the late Nathan Hastings, Sr. He was delivered early due to his mother's ovarian cancer scare. Later, when Olivia found out about her husband's affair with Keesha Monroe, a woman with AIDS, Nathan kidnapped Nate and disappeared. After several weeks on the run, Nathan decided to return Nate to Olivia. When Nate wandered away from his father on a crowded street, Nathan rushed to find his son and was fatally struck by a car.
After Nathan's death, Olivia became close to Malcolm Winters, who also had a soft spot for Nate. Olivia enrolled Nate at the Walnut Grove Academy. Malcolm soon married Olivia and raised the possibility of adopting Nate, who considered Malcolm to be his father, even though he was old enough to remember his biological father. Olivia spent many hours at the hospital as a doctor, and Nate was often neglected; Malcolm and Nate's nanny, Julia, raised him more than his own mother. Olivia and Malcolm eventually divorced, yet Malcolm remained a staple in Nate's life. Olivia contracted aplastic anemia and changed her will so Malcolm's brother, Neil Winters, would raise Nate if she were to pass away. Once Olivia became healthy again, she took away all of Malcolm's paternal rights to Nate; Malcolm later sued Olivia for joint custody and won. Malcolm remained present in Nate's life until he was presumed dead after disappearing from a photoshoot in Africa. Neil became an alcoholic, and Olivia refused to let him see Nate. Therefore, Nate no longer had a father figure in his life. Brad Carlton, Olivia's friend Ashley Abbott's husband, tried to step in as a father figure to Nate. Still, Nate missed Malcolm, and he decided to go away to boarding school. Malcolm came back to Genoa City to see Nate, but he didn't realize that Nate was away at school. Nate never returned to Genoa City. In 2008, Olivia mentioned that Nate was attending Johns Hopkins School of Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland.
After a nine-year hiatus, the character returned on February 8, 2011, as the Boston physician treating former FBI agent, Ronan Malloy and his liver ailment. After the situation with Ronan, Nate met up with his family: cousins Lily Winters and Devon Hamilton, as well as Neil and Malcolm; he also met Lily's twins, Charlie Ashby and Matilda Ashby. Nate stayed with Lily for a short time while she mourned the loss of her husband, Cane Ashby. Then, he decided to live with Lily in her spare bedroom. He left town again, but returned in 2018 to care for Nikki Newman as her personal physician. He is currently a surgeon at Memorial Hospital.