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Jerry Douglas JPI LARGE

Jerry Douglas

Role John, Y&R

Show The Young and the Restless

The 411

BIRTHDATE: November 12

BIRTHPLACE: Chelsea, MA

STAR SIGN: Scorpio

YEARS ON SHOW: 1982-2006; 2007, 2008

MARITAL STATUS: Married to wife Kymberly since 1985

CHILDREN: Daughter Ava and son Jod with ex-wife Arlene Martel; son Hunter with Kymberly


For over two decades, Jerry Douglas reigned in Genoa City as Abbott patriarch John Abbott. Raised in Chelsea, Massachusetts, Douglas went to Brandeis University to earn a degree in economics. Eight months into law school in Manhattan, he gave up the books and started auditioning. However, his lack of training frustrated him, and he eventually moved then-wife Arlene and daughter Ava to California.

Settling in the San Fernando Valley, Douglas sold insurance by day, and took acting classes at night. Although he still struggled, he received encouragement after appearing in the play John Brown’s Body. A critic said he was terrific, which inspired him to hire an agent.

For several years, Douglas appeared on TV shows like MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE, often playing the villain. At the same time, his wife decided to move herself and their children (son Jod was born after migrating to California) up to Carmel. In an attempt to save his marriage, Douglas quit acting and followed her. Despite this, the couple eventually divorced and Douglas returned to L.A. to continue pursuing his career. Soon after, he found himself embroiled in a custody battle for his children, which he won.

Today Douglas is happily remarried to Kymberly, who he met at a Muscular Dystrophy Association event. Though she is over 20 years his junior, they’ve been married for over 20 years and have a son together, Hunter. His official Web site is www.jerrydouglasmusic.com.

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Random facts

  • Before acting, Douglas was a saloon singer in Massachusetts.
  • Used to run an acting workshop for prison inmates, where they acted out scenes from Y&R.
  • His parents were immigrants from Eastern Europe.
  • Birth name is Gerald Rubenstein.
  • Has been on recurring status on Y&R since 2006.

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