State of Mind continues to deliver powerful and heartfelt conversations, and the latest episode is no exception. Host Maurice Benard welcomes fellow daytime TV icon Lauralee Bell for a deeply personal and moving discussion.
Both Benard and Bell are celebrated figures in the world of soap operas, having portrayed beloved characters for decades—Benard as Sonny Corinthos on General Hospital and Bell as Christine “Cricket” Blair on The Young and the Restless. But beyond their legendary roles, the two have something in common: both lost their fathers to Alzheimer’s disease.
Lauralee Bell is the only daughter of soap opera creators William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell. She’s also the sister of Bill Bell, Jr. and Bradley Bell, and the sister-in-law of Maria Arena Bell and Colleen Bell. In 1983 she became a part of her parents’ legacy taking on the role of Christine on Y&R. However, years later on April 29, 2005, her father, William J. Bell died at age 78 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease.
Lauralee Bell Remembers Her Father’s Humor
Bell opens up about the emotional toll and unexpected moments of light during his decline. “He was the funniest guy ever,” she recalls. “We’re not really getting to how funny I am in this interview, but I got it from him. I’m a jokester. I’m very dry, I’m rarely serious — unless I have to be.”
She adds, “He was a fun guy and appreciated everything — easy to please — like he’d have a healthy choice frozen dinner and be like ‘Come here, come here, this is the best chicken teriyaki I’ve ever had come and try this.’ No matter what, it was positive.”
Something In Common
Later on she said, “When he started to get sick, he went silent and he would for months — he didn’t say a word but he smiled. A huge gift to us was I never saw him angry.” She added, “I know my mom had to deal with him waking up in the middle of the night and getting dressed and walking out the door…”
In a lighthearted moment, the two actors shared how playing Frank Sinatra songs would light up their fathers’ faces — even during the darkest days of Alzheimer’s. “Put on a Sinatra song,” Bell laughs, “ they belt it out. It’s crazy.” Benard chimed in, “It’s the way my dad was too.”
Bell also spoke about being a mom, her childhood, career, and her role on The Young and the Restless. It’s an interview filled with warmth, laughter, and remembrance — one not to miss. Watch her full interview with Maurice Benard below! (Photo: ABC/CBS.)
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