The Young and the Restless Star Beth Maitland Celebrates Her Birthday 

Beth Maitland, beloved as Traci Abbott on The Young and the Restless, is celebrating her birthday today. Last month, however, it was the actress's fans who received the big gift courtesy of the Daytime Emmy winner's compelling performances in the Alan/Martin (Christopher Cousins) storyline.

Beth Maitland on The Young and the Restless

Maitland was born on May 12, in Rapid City, South Dakota. At the age of 7, the actress and her family relocated to Scottsdale, Arizona. Maitland attended Arizona State University, where she majored in music and theater.

Before turning to professional acting, she appeared in local theater productions of Candide, You Can't Take It With You, and A Midsummer Night's Dream. In the late 1970s, she moved to Los Angeles where she continued to study at the Los Angeles Film Industry Workshop.

Maitland landed her big break in 1982 when she was cast as the youngest daughter of John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) and Dina Abbott Mergeron (Marla Adams) on The Young and the Restless.

Maitland holds the distinction of being the only performer to play one of John's children who has been played by the same actor. Maitland became the Daytime Emmy winner for acting on The Young and the Restless when she took home the statuette for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama in 1985 for her role as Traci. (Later in the broadcast, Maitland's real-life pal and on-screen ex-rival Tracey Bregman, who plays Lauren, became the show's second winner. She won for Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series.)

Traci Abbott Elementary

Over the years, Maitland has tackled a variety of emotionally challenging storylines as Traci fought to achieve self-esteem and survived a suicide attempt. Traci fell in love with Danny Romalotti (Michael Damian), Tim Sullivan (Scott Palmer), and Steve Connelly (Greg Wrangler). Arguably, the greatest love of her life was Brad Carlton (Don Diamont, now Bill on The Bold and the Beautiful).

Traci made sure that her nemesis Lauren got her just "desserts" when she dumped a sundae on Lauren's head after the department store heiress bullied her. Years later, Lauren apologized to Traci for her behavior. The two women have made peace with their past.

In addition to being duped by Martin, Traci has had other dramatic tales on The Young and the Restless. She lost not only Brad after he perished trying to save Noah Newman (then, Kevin Schmidt) from drowning, but also her daughter Colleen (Tammin Sursok) after Patty Williams (Stacy Haiduk) caused her death. Traci selflessly donated Colleen's heart to Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), a man who has often gone after Traci's brother, Jack (Peter Bergman).

Just say neigh

Fans are always happy to see Traci be thrust into the forefront of the show's storylines, as she was recently with the Alan/Martin tale on The Young and the Restless. Off-screen, Maitland is a devoted mother to her daughter, Emelia Banninger. The actress's hobbies include quilting and dressage, an equestrian sport where riders and horses execute precise movements.

Soap Central wishes Maitland a happy birthday and many happy returns!

Catch all-new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus