Paul Williams is a fictional character on the American CBS soap opera
The Young and the Restless. Paul was introduced to the show on May 23,
1978, and has been portrayed by Doug Davidson ever since. Initially
Paul was a "bad boy", who had a romance with Nikki Newman (Melody
Thomas Scott), giving her an STD. The relationship ultimately ended,
but the two have remained friends since. After a year on the series,
Bell gave the character a proper backstory, surname and family. This
included his notoriously unstable sister Patty Williams (Stacey
Haiduk). After a failed marriage to April Stevens (Cynthia
Eilbacher)â€"who gave birth to his daughter Heather Stevens (Jennifer
Landon)â€"focus turned towards Paul's career as a private
investigator, as well as his relationship and eventual marriage to and
later divorce from Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman). Paul's string of
unsuccessful romances with womenâ€"including his ill-fated bride Cindy
Lake (DeAnna Robbins), and Cassandra Rawlins (Nina Arvesen), the wife
of one of his clientsâ€"continued. Over the years, Paul continued to
become heavily involved in various storylines as a private
investigator.The character's most prominent love story occurred when
he married attorney Christine Blair (Lauralee Bell). The couple faced
various challenges together, with their first marriage ending as a
result of his affair with the psychotic Isabella Braña (Eva
Longoria). The affair produced Paul's son Ricky Williams (Pete Porte);
Isabella was admitted to a mental institution and Ricky grew up away
from his father. Years later, Paul established a relationship with his
daughter Heather, who returned to Genoa City (now an adult) as a
lawyer. After years away, Paul's adult son Ricky returned to town and
it was revealed that he, like his mother, was mentally unstable. In a
controversial storyline, Paul was forced to shoot and kill Ricky to
prevent him from killing Eden Baldwin (Jessica Heap). Paul has since
assumed the role of police chief for the GCPD and remarried
Christine.Davidson's performance of Paul has garnered him acclaim from
both critics and audiences, and he has emerged as one of the soap
opera genre's most popular actors. Davidson's high Q Score has allowed
him to be recognized as daytime's most desirable performer; although
TV Guide has labelled him "underrated". Similarly, Canyon News
described his performance as "understated", yet "overpowering" and
"strong". TVSource magazine stated that the actor has maintained "raw
honesty and conviction" in his portrayal. The storyline in which Paul
was forced to kill his son earned Davidson a Daytime Emmy Award for
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, having previously been
nominated for this award twice. Additionally, Davidson has claimed
three Soap Opera Digest Awards from six nominations. Currently, he is
the longest-tenured actor present on The Young and the Restless.Doug
Davidson joined the cast of the show on May 15, 1978; the episode
aired on May 23, 1978. Its creator, William J. Bell, discovered him
during one of Bell's trips to Chicago, while Davidson was modelling
for magazines. The actor learned that he had been cast as Paul when a
costumer contacted him for measurements. Before joining the soap opera
Davidson studied marine biology, abandoning his studies to pursue
acting full-time. Former executive producer Wes Kenny had a profound
impact on his career: "Wes taught me to listen, respond and to play
the situation". In mid-1979 Davidson signed a five-year contract, and
began receiving more airtime. In September 1994 he was hired to host
The New Price Is Right, which taped down the hall from The Young and
the Restless at CBS Television City.
The Young and the Restless. Paul was introduced to the show on May 23,
1978, and has been portrayed by Doug Davidson ever since. Initially
Paul was a "bad boy", who had a romance with Nikki Newman (Melody
Thomas Scott), giving her an STD. The relationship ultimately ended,
but the two have remained friends since. After a year on the series,
Bell gave the character a proper backstory, surname and family. This
included his notoriously unstable sister Patty Williams (Stacey
Haiduk). After a failed marriage to April Stevens (Cynthia
Eilbacher)â€"who gave birth to his daughter Heather Stevens (Jennifer
Landon)â€"focus turned towards Paul's career as a private
investigator, as well as his relationship and eventual marriage to and
later divorce from Lauren Fenmore (Tracey Bregman). Paul's string of
unsuccessful romances with womenâ€"including his ill-fated bride Cindy
Lake (DeAnna Robbins), and Cassandra Rawlins (Nina Arvesen), the wife
of one of his clientsâ€"continued. Over the years, Paul continued to
become heavily involved in various storylines as a private
investigator.The character's most prominent love story occurred when
he married attorney Christine Blair (Lauralee Bell). The couple faced
various challenges together, with their first marriage ending as a
result of his affair with the psychotic Isabella Braña (Eva
Longoria). The affair produced Paul's son Ricky Williams (Pete Porte);
Isabella was admitted to a mental institution and Ricky grew up away
from his father. Years later, Paul established a relationship with his
daughter Heather, who returned to Genoa City (now an adult) as a
lawyer. After years away, Paul's adult son Ricky returned to town and
it was revealed that he, like his mother, was mentally unstable. In a
controversial storyline, Paul was forced to shoot and kill Ricky to
prevent him from killing Eden Baldwin (Jessica Heap). Paul has since
assumed the role of police chief for the GCPD and remarried
Christine.Davidson's performance of Paul has garnered him acclaim from
both critics and audiences, and he has emerged as one of the soap
opera genre's most popular actors. Davidson's high Q Score has allowed
him to be recognized as daytime's most desirable performer; although
TV Guide has labelled him "underrated". Similarly, Canyon News
described his performance as "understated", yet "overpowering" and
"strong". TVSource magazine stated that the actor has maintained "raw
honesty and conviction" in his portrayal. The storyline in which Paul
was forced to kill his son earned Davidson a Daytime Emmy Award for
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series, having previously been
nominated for this award twice. Additionally, Davidson has claimed
three Soap Opera Digest Awards from six nominations. Currently, he is
the longest-tenured actor present on The Young and the Restless.Doug
Davidson joined the cast of the show on May 15, 1978; the episode
aired on May 23, 1978. Its creator, William J. Bell, discovered him
during one of Bell's trips to Chicago, while Davidson was modelling
for magazines. The actor learned that he had been cast as Paul when a
costumer contacted him for measurements. Before joining the soap opera
Davidson studied marine biology, abandoning his studies to pursue
acting full-time. Former executive producer Wes Kenny had a profound
impact on his career: "Wes taught me to listen, respond and to play
the situation". In mid-1979 Davidson signed a five-year contract, and
began receiving more airtime. In September 1994 he was hired to host
The New Price Is Right, which taped down the hall from The Young and
the Restless at CBS Television City.
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