Fans of “The Young and the Restless” need to buckle up, because there is about to be a new face behind longtime character Jill Abbott in Genoa City. It was recently announced that soap legend Lauren Koslow will temporarily be stepping into Jess Walton’s role of Jill Abbott. Walton has been portraying Jill since 1987.
Lauren Koslow, who already has a unique connection to the character, will be appearing for five episodes due to a scheduling conflict of Walton’s. Koslow’s first appearance as Jill Abbott is set to air on June 25, 2026. With that in mind, here are five fast facts to know about soap legend Lauren Koslow before she makes her way back to Genoa City.
1. Lauren Koslow Has Portrayed Kate Roberts on ‘DOOL’ for Three Decades
Soap legend Lauren Koslow is best known for portraying Kate Roberts on “Days of Our Lives.” She arrived in Salem in 1996 and has had a continuous presence on the soap for the last three decades. Koslow took over the role from Deborah Adair, who had previously portrayed Kate from 1993 to 1995.
2. Lauren Koslow Actually Got Her Daytime Start on ‘Y&R’
Before becoming a staple character on ‘DOOL,’ Koslow actually got her start on “The Young and the Restless” in the ‘80s. Koslow was in Genoa City from 1984 to 1986, portraying Lindsey Wells.
Interestingly, Koslow’s original character was in a relationship with Jack Abbott. The storyline back in the day was that her boyfriend, Jack, was having an affair with his stepmother, Jill Foster Abbott. Lindsey eventually blackmailed both Jack and Jill in an effort to climb the corporate ladder within the Abbott family company.
Now, 40 years later, Koslow will be stepping into the role of Jill Abbott herself, giving fans a full-circle daytime television moment.
3. Lauren Koslow Starred on ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’
Along with her roles in Salem and Genoa City, Koslow also did a five-year stint on “The Bold and the Beautiful.” Koslow portrayed Margo Maclaine Lynley on the soap from 1987 to 1992.
Her character was romantically involved with both Eric Forrester and Ridge Forrester, and was briefly married to Bill Spencer, Sr., before leaving town.
Koslow also made a brief reappearance in Los Angeles for a few episodes as Margo in 2002.
4. Lauren Koslow Is Married to a Makeup Artist
Along with her illustrious soap career, Lauren Koslow has found the time to nurture a relationship off-screen. The 73-year-old married her makeup artist husband, Nicky Schillace, in 1987. The two will celebrate their 40th wedding anniversary next year.
Nicky and Lauren met when they were both working on the set of “The Young and the Restless.” Nicky later joined the makeup team on “DOOL” in 2013.
5. Lauren Koslow Is a Mother and Grandmother
Just like her character Kate Roberts, Lauren Koslow is a mother and grandmother in real life. Koslow and her husband, Nicky, share two children. Their oldest son, Zachariah, was born in 1988, and their daughter, MilliKate, was born in 1990. Koslow is also a stepmother to her husband’s son, Louis Schillace.
Koslow also gave birth to a son at 16. The soap star revealed in 2021 that she had finally located and reunited with her firstborn, Josh, after being separated from him when he was just three days old.
Along with her children, Koslow is also a grandmother. Koslow’s daughter, MilliKate, welcomed a daughter, Sistine, into the family in January 2024. The soap legend is taking on her newest role quite proudly, posting numerous moments with little Sistine to her Instagram feed.
Soap fans can tune into “The Young and the Restless” on Thursday, June 25, 2026, to see Koslow’s first appearance as Jill Abbott.
