Kate Linder

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Kate Linder
Linder at a fashion show in January 2008
Born (1947-11-02) November 2, 1947 (age 76)[1]
Occupation(s)Actress
Flight attendant
Years active1973–present
SpouseRonald L. Linder (m. 1976; died 2017)
Children3 stepchildren

Kate Linder (born November 2, 1947) is an American actress, best known for her role as Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless, which she has played since 1982.[2] After appearing in the soap opera for more than 40 years, she is one of the longest serving actors on an American soap opera. Linder received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2008, and was honored at The Hollywood Museum in 2022.[3]

Life and career[edit]

Linder was born in Pasadena, California, and graduated with a BA in theatre arts from San Francisco State University. During that time, she also began working as a flight attendant for Transamerica Airlines.[2] After graduation, Linder found work on television, including roles on Archie Bunker's Place and Bay City Blues.[1]

In 1982, she was cast as Esther Valentine on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. It was supposed to be a one day role. Linder has been starring on The Young and the Restless for more than 40 years and is also one of two Daytime Governors at the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, who present the Emmys. Linder is also the national spokesperson for The ALS Association and is active with TV Cares, ATAS's AIDS fundraising and awareness organization, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, and national spokesperson for March of Dimes Canada's Conductive Education Program.

Linder in 2010

For her contributions in television, Linder earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on April 10, 2008.[4] She is the third actor to earn a star on the Walk of Fame solely on the merits of acting on a soap opera, after Jeanne Cooper in 1993 and Susan Lucci in 2005.

In the 2000s, after 30 years in daytime, Linder made her film debut, starring in a number of independent productions, such as Hysteria and Erased. In 2016, she co-starred with Julia Roberts, Jennifer Aniston, and Kate Hudson in Garry Marshall's final film Mother's Day.

On April 30, 2018, Kate Linder appeared in a 30 minute television interview talk show with Host Ken Boxer on "Ken Boxer Live," taped in Santa Barbara, California.

In 2023, she starred in A Little White Lie, opposite Michael Shannon, Kate Hudson, Zach Braff, and Don Johnson.

In addition to her work on television, Linder serves as a flight attendant for United Airlines, as of 2022.[5]

Personal life[edit]

She was married to Dr. Ronald L. Linder for 41 years, from February 14, 1976 (Valentine's Day), until his death from ALS in 2017.[6] She has three stepchildren from his first marriage, Jay, Jon, and Karyn.[6]

Filmography[edit]

Year Title Role Notes
1982–present The Young and the Restless Esther Valentine Recurring: 1982–1985, Contract: 1985–present
2005 Cotillion '65 Miss Tiffany Short film
2006 The Divorce Ceremony Dr. Valentine
2007 A Couple of White Chicks at the Hairdresser Katie Bender
2009 The Gold & the Beautiful Gloria Howard
2010 Lights Out Jerika Lane
2011 Hysteria Lady Cherwell
2012 Sebastian Celia Grant
2012 Erased Principal Gibbons
2013 Miracle at Gate 213 Sandrine Simpson Television film
2014 Miss Meadows Trudy Navis
2016 Mother's Day Gigi
2016 Better Off Single Mrs. Staut
2016 The Charnel House Aunt Rachel
2017 Voice from the Stone LaVecchia
2018 Dead Love Caterina
2019 Act Super Naturally Rhonda Rooney
2019 Loners Senator Difford
2019–2022 Donna on the Go Laura Reed Also producer
Nominated — Indie Series Award for Best Lead Actress – Comedy (2020)
2020 Echo Boomers Kathy Tucker
2023 A Little White Lie College President
2023 The Book of Leah Aileen Gold
2023 The Bold and the Beautiful Esther Valentine Special Guest - 5 episodes (October 25-31, 2023)

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Kate Linder | Biography, Movie Highlights and Photos". AllMovie.
  2. ^ a b "Kate Linder Bio". Soap Opera Digest. Retrieved 2013-10-01.
  3. ^ Maloney, Michael. "Kate Linder Celebrates 40 Years as Esther Valentine on 'The Young and the Restless'". TV Insider.
  4. ^ John (2007-07-31). "Exclusive Interview: Kate Linder, from 'The Young and the Restless'". buddytv.com. Retrieved 2008-01-09.
  5. ^ https://www.closerweekly.com/posts/why-young-and-the-restless-star-kate-linder-works-as-flight-attendant/
  6. ^ a b Eades, Chris (June 21, 2017). "The Young & The Restless Star Kate Linder Mourns the Death of Her Husband, Ron Linder". CBS Soaps in Depth.

External links[edit]