In 1987, an actress from the newly-defunct series Capitol had the unenviable task of recreating the insanely-popular role of schemer Jill Foster Abbott on CBS Daytime's The Young and the Restless. Unlike most soap opera recasts, where success or failure depends on chemistry with an opposite sex romantic lead, newcomer Jess Walton would sink or swim, based on her ability to connect with fellow female powerhouse Jeanne Cooper, who played Jill's bitter rival Katherine "Kay" Chancellor.
To say Walton swam alongside Cooper would be an understatement. The two women did a backstroke even Ryan Lochte and Michael Phelps would have to admire, during their 26 years as acting partners.