NAME: Victoria RowellRANK: 35
SOAP ROLES: Drucilla Barber Winters, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1990-1998, 2000, 2002-2007); Nella Franklin, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1988); ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1985)
AWARDS:
2006 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
2005 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress
2005 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
2004 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
2003 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Favorite Return
2003 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
2001 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
2000 Image Award nomination for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1999 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1999 Image Award win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1998 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
1998 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1997 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
1996 Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series
1996 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1996 Image Award win for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series
1995 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1995 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Hottest Female Star
1994 Image Award win for Outstanding Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
1994 Soap Opera Digest Award win for Outstanding Scene Stealer
1992 Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Outstanding Female Newcomer: Daytime
COMMENTS FROM THE PANEL:
Jonathan Reiner: A perfect example of an actress who perfectly embodied the character; it’s a shame she never won an Emmy.
Alan Carter: This choice was almost Dorothy Lyman...but AMC was able to find another Opal. The idea of Y&R finding another Dru (and yes they have tried) seems more unlikely. For that reason, and for her infamous show downs (on and off camera) we'll go with the scene stealer extraordinare fans still cant get enough of.
Nelson Branco: Poor little, richly talented black newcomer Victoria Rowell undertook a groundbreaking, yet highly stereotypical role and miraculously made it unique, revolutionary, honest, relatable, and lovable in a very racial time — off-screen and on, when she was cast as Dru on daytime’s number-one soap, Y&R. Just like Eric Braeden, who debuted as an unlikely German leading man, Rowell, who somehow overshadowed the likes of One Life’s Ellen Gray, trail blazed paths never dug before by effortlessly making Drucilla an unforgettable footprint in soap history. In turn, Rowell became the female equivalent of Braeden — the biggest female superstar Y&R has ever given birth to. There will never be anyone like her in daytime. In fact, not only is she the best black actress soaps has ever given birth to, but she's also one of the all-time best thespians this industry has been blessed to envelope. It's a sad day when one considers that politics prevents us from enjoying her immeasurable, delicious talents today. Especially when soaps are dying for a Rowell infusion. There is no secret about the talents of this soap opera diva....
Roger Newcomb: Victoria Rowell brought an edginess to THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS that the show had never seen before. As a lifelong viewer, she grabbed my attention from the first moment and never let it go during her entire run. But as great as her acting talent is, her heart is even bigger. She has worked tirelessly for foster children for years making a huge difference in the lives of many.
DAYTIME SOAP OPERAS
