“The Bold and the Beautiful” is celebrating its 35th anniversary today, premiering on March 23, 1987. Co-created by the late William J. Bell and the late Lee Phillip Bell, the CBS soap remains the most-watched U.S.-produced daytime drama series in the world and is daytime’s second most-watched soap opera in the United States only behind parent series “The Young and the Restless,” which was also created by the aforementioned Bells.
Executive produced by Bradley Bell, who also serves as the show’s head writer, the series has aired 8,734 episodes, had 393,750 pages of dialogue memorized by the show’s cast, more than 100 weddings, 23 babies born on-screen, over 1,700 sets created by the art department, amassed more than 1,790 cans of hairspray and 415 tubes of lipstick by the Emmy Award-winning hair and makeup departments. Additionally, the show has won 100 Daytime Emmy Awards out of 306 nominations and has shot episodes in 14 cities across 11 international countries.
“[Thirty-Five] years ago, I would have never imagined what was in store,” said Bell of the show’s longevity. “Since our premiere in 1987, it’s been a fantastic journey and incredible experience for all of us. We would not be here if not for the invaluable support of CBS and our millions of fans around the globe for their loyalty and support.”
On Thursday, March 24, the soap will air a special standalone episode dedicated to Brooke Logan (original cast member Katherine Kelly Lang) and five of her true loves. Fan favorites and former cast members Jack Wagner, who played Nick Marone from 2003 to 2012, and Winsor Harmon, who played Thorne Forrester from 1996 to 2016, return for this can’t-miss episode. Original cast member John McCook (Eric Forrester), and veteran cast members Don Diamont (Bill Spencer) and Thorsten Kaye (Ridge Forrester) are also featured.
Watch the 35th Anniversary promo below.