How did John Abbott die on The Young and the Restless—and why did Y&R kill him off? This Y&R retro recap looks back at John Abbott’s character history, Jerry Douglas’s years as the Abbott family patriarch, and John’s final storyline with Gloria, Tom Fisher, Sheila Carter, Michael and Lauren.
We’ll revisit John shooting Tom Fisher, going to prison, suffering a massive stroke, and dying on August 18, 2006. We’ll also answer the Young and the Restless John Abbott cause of death, why Jerry Douglas was written out, and why the show kept bringing John back as Jack Abbott’s ghost and conscience.
Jerry Douglas later returned as John Abbott look-alike Alistair Wallingford. We’ll also separate John Abbott’s on-screen death from Jerry Douglas’s real-life death in 2021.
What do you remember most about John Abbott, Jerry Douglas and the Abbott family?
Let me know your memories in the comments.
Get exclusive updates, fun extras, and personal notes — then check out my audiobook, The Fauna and the Flora.