Ricky Williams is a fictional character from the
CBS Daytime
CBS Daytime is a division within CBS that is responsible for the daytime television block programming on the CBS' late morning and early afternoon schedule. The block has historically encompassed soap operas and game shows.
Schedule
NOTE: All tim ...
soap opera ''
The Young and the Restless
''The Young and the Restless'' (often abbreviated as ''Y&R'') is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in fictional Genoa City (not the real-life similarly-named Genoa City, Wi ...
''. The character was created as the son of
Paul Williams (
Doug Davidson
Douglas Donald Davidson (born October 24, 1954) is an American Emmy Award winning television actor. He has portrayed Paul Williams on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' since May 1978, making him the series' longest-serving cast ...
) and
Isabella Braña
Isabella Braña is a fictional character from the American CBS Daytime soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. She was portrayed by Eva Longoria, created by Kay Alden and introduced by former executive producer Edward J. Scott on March 8, 2 ...
(
Eva Longoria
Eva Jacqueline Longoria Bastón ( Longoria; March 15, 1975) is an American actress, producer, and director. After a number of guest roles on several television series, she was recognized for her portrayal of Isabella Braña on the CBS daytime ...
), born onscreen on May 10, 2002. After being portrayed by a series of unidentified infant child actors, the character was raised by Isabella's parents in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the largest city in the state of California and the second most populous city in the United States after New York City, as well as one of the world' ...
,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
. In 2011, Ricky was
rapidly aged to an adult, with Peter Porte being cast to play the character.
Zap2it described Ricky as "a one-dimensional villain with daddy and mommy issues".
Upon his return as an adult, Ricky was resentful of his father Paul for his lack of involvement in his life in his early years. In June 2012, Porte was let go from the soap opera and his departure was slated to be a dramatic exit. Within the storyline, Paul found Ricky about to kill
Eden Baldwin
Eden Baldwin is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. Created and introduced by former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the character made her debut during the episode that aired on September 22, 2008 ...
(
Jessica Heap
Jessica Heap (born March 4, 1983) is an American former actress. She is perhaps best known for her portrayal of Eden Baldwin on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. She has also appeared on various television series including ''CSI: ...
) and shot him to save her, killing him.
Casting and development
For the character's first year, he was portrayed by a series of unidentified infant actors. In August 2011, reports announced that Peter Porte would be joining the cast as an adult Ricky.
Porte debuted on September 13, 2011. After less than a year in the role, it was announced in June 2012 that Porte had been let go,
and his "dramatic exit" aired on July 2. Of Porte's exit, Nelson Branco of ''Soap Opera Unsensored'' stated, "Too bad, since the improved actor has finally been winning over fans and critics with his surprisingly intense and compelling performance of a man unhinged. Expect a sensational climax and conclusion in Ricky’s storyline that involves Daisy and Phyllis."
Porte said he was disappointed to be leaving the role.
Porte compared Ricky to his mother Isabella, saying, "I was there just under a year, but when you start stealing babies, threatening lead characters and murdering people, you know your time is going to be limited. He certainly was his mother's son!"
Zap2it described Ricky as "a one-dimensional villain with daddy and mommy issues".
Storyline
After being sent to live with Isabella's parents who raised him, Ricky returned to Genoa City working for
Avery Bailey Clark
Avery Bailey Clark is a fictional character from the American CBS Daytime soap opera, ''The Young and the Restless'', portrayed by actress Jessica Collins. She made her appearance as Avery on July 27, 2011, as a high-class attorney. Avery first c ...
(
Jessica Collins
Jessica Collins (born Jessica Lynn Capogna; April 1, 1971) is an American actress. She is best known for portraying Dinah Lee Mayberry on the ABC soap opera '' Loving'' (1991–1994) and Avery Bailey Clark on the CBS soap opera ''The Young and t ...
) during the
Sharon Newman
Sharon Newman is a fictional character from ''The Young and the Restless'', an American soap opera on the CBS network, currently portrayed by Sharon Case. Created by William J. Bell as a love interest for Nicholas Newman, the character debuted o ...
murder case. He meets his half-sister,
Heather Stevens
Heather Stevens is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. Created by William J. Bell, she was born onscreen in 1979 as the daughter of Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) and April Stevens (Cindy Eilbach ...
(then
Eden Riegel
Eden Sonja Jane Riegel (born January 1, 1981) is an American actress. She portrayed Bianca Montgomery in the daytime drama ''All My Children'', and propelled the character into a gay icon, as well as a popular figure within the medium. Nominated ...
), for the first time. Heather was the general prosecutor in the murder case, causing them to be on opposing sides of the case. Ricky took pictures of Heather kissing
Adam Newman
Adam Newman is a fictional character from ''The Young and the Restless'', a soap opera on the CBS network. Adam was created by William J. Bell as the son of Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) and Hope Wilson (Signy Coleman) and was introduced on Ap ...
(
Michael Muhney
Michael Muhney (born June 12, 1975) is an American actor. His best known roles include Sheriff Don Lamb on the UPN/The CW television series ''Veronica Mars'' between 2004 and 2007 and Adam Newman on the CBS daytime soap opera ''The Young and the ...
), a key suspect in Sharon's case. He originally intended to give the pictures to
Phyllis Newman
Phyllis Newman (March 19, 1933 – September 15, 2019) was an American actress and singer. She won the 1962 Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Musical for her role as Martha Vail in the musical ''Subways Are for Sleeping'' on Broadway, ...
to publish in ''Restless Style'' magazine, however, he gave them to Avery for safe keeping instead. When Sharon was finally set free thanks to Phyllis and
Ronan Malloy
Ronan Malloy is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. Introduced by the former head writer Maria Arena Bell, the role was portrayed by Jeff Branson. After the character's debut, it was revealed t ...
, Avery brought the pictures to the courthouse, and she left them on the desk. When Avery wasn't looking, Phyllis took the pictures and published them on the internet. She ruined Heather's reputation, and this meltdown caused Heather to leave Genoa City permanently. Paul was furious that Ricky was responsible for Heather's departure, but he looked past his son's mistake in order to reconnect with him again. Ricky then sought to bring Phyllis down for stealing his pictures, enlisting in Avery's help to sue her.
While battling Phyllis, Ricky decided to apply for Editor-in-Chief of ''Restless Style'', being that it was under new management. Before his interview, Ricky snuck into the police station and took pictures of a file involved in the
Diane Jenkins
Diane Jenkins is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. The role was first portrayed by Alex Donnelley, who debuted in April 28, 1982. Diane was initially a two-day bit role, but was developed into ...
murder investigation.
Billy Abbott
Billy Abbott is a fictional character from ''The Young and the Restless'', an American soap opera on the CBS network. Created by William J. Bell as the son of John Abbott (Jerry Douglas) and Jill Abbott (Jess Walton), the character is currently ...
(
Billy Miller) denied Ricky's application, and he decided to go to Phyllis with his incriminating pictures. Ricky made a deal with Phyllis which allowed him access to ''Restless Style''s website, and he published an article about
Nikki Newman
Nikki Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS daytime soap opera, ''The Young and the Restless''. Created and introduced by William J. Bell in 1978, the role was portrayed by Erica Hope, before Melody Thomas Scott took over in 1979. ...
's (
Melody Thomas Scott
Melody Thomas Scott (born Melody Ann Thomas, April 18, 1956) is an American actress best known for playing Nikki Newman on the soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''.
Early life and acting career
Scott was born Melody Ann Thomas in Los Ange ...
) involvement in the murder investigation. Later on, he meets his uncle Todd Williams and he meets and offers to help his aunt
Patty Williams
Patty Williams is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera ''The Young and the Restless''. The character made her debut in 1980 and, after a brief portrayal by Tammy Taylor, Lilibet Stern took over for three years, followed by Andre ...
(
Stacy Haiduk
Stacy Haiduk (born April 24, 1968) is an American actress. Her best-known roles include Lana Lang on ''Superboy'', Katherine Hitchcock on ''seaQuest DSV'', Hannah Nichols on ''All My Children'', as Patty Williams and Emily Peterson on ''The You ...
) who is hiding from police, however that was all a scam in order to write an article about Patty and
Jack Abbott (
Peter Bergman
Peter Michael Bergman (born June 11, 1953) is an American actor best known for his portrayals on soap operas, such as Cliff Warner on '' All My Children'' (1979–89) on ABC as well as Jack Abbott on ''The Young and the Restless'' (1989–prese ...
). Ricky then wanted to write that article with Phyllis, though she turned him down as she promised her ex-husband Nick that she wouldn't write an article on the subject. However, Ricky took matters into his own hands and wrote the article anyway then published it online, aggravating various other people, including Paul, who confronted Ricky. The only excuse he gave was that Paul never looked out for his psychotic mother Isabella. Paul claims that he hasn't gone through what Patty has, but Paul never did realize that he did grow up watching his insane mother. Ricky then gets recruited by Phyllis to get close to Daisy Carter so that she can use whatever information he can get against her so that Daniel can get full custody of Lucy. Ricky does just that and more, even going so far as to have sex with Daisy on March 29, 2012. However, he's unaware that Eden Baldwin, who Ricky had recently started dating, has caught them in the act. The tables turn for Phyllis when Ricky decides to become Daisy's ally, whether she wants it or not at times. He willingly helped kidnap Lucy for Daniel to lose custody. He may have grown an obsession with her as he became very angry when she announced she's still trying to win Daniel. But he blackmails her into giving him her old apartment. Despite the uneasiness, Daisy's still fully supportive of helping him bring down Phyllis and tormenting her. Paul is also beginning to doubt how innocent his son really is. Daisy discovered Ricky was a murderer.
In June 2012, Eden goes to see Ricky offering to have a drink with him. They go to the bar and she claims to have to go to the bathroom, leaving Ricky waiting. In truth Eden had been suspicious of Ricky for some time, and convinces a maid to unlock his door and let her in. She discovers Daisy's purse and finds her ID inside, and is about to call Kevin when Ricky catches her. She tries to run, but ends up having a struggle with Ricky, and ends up knocking herself unconscious after hitting her head on the side of the bathtub. Ricky is discovered in the nick of time by Paul, who, just moments earlier, attempted to have a purported heart-to-heart conversation with his son. He catches Ricky holding an unconscious Eden with a large knife in his hand. Paul pulls out a gun and pleads with Ricky to drop the knife, but is met with malicious words from Ricky, saying that it was Paul's fault for the way he turned out. Ricky confesses to killing his ex-girlfriend Rachel. He clearly implies that he also killed Daisy Carter, who he says he "got rid of", and his college friend Craig Hunt. Ricky refuses to drop the knife and, in a rage, dares Paul to shoot him. After more shouting from Ricky and repeated attempts by Paul to get Ricky to drop the knife, Ricky stands up and violently taunts Paul to shoot him. When it appears that Ricky is about to stab Eden, Paul shoots him in the right arm, causing him to fall backwards through the upper-floor bathroom window to his death.
Reception
Jamey Giddens of Zap2it said it was "too bad" Porte never received "any material worth his talent during his stint", also saying, "Dude isn't a bad actor!"
''On-Air On-Soaps'' said Porte's dismissal came "just as fans were starting to dig evil Ricky Williams".
Giddens predicted Porte's exit within the storyline would give Paul's tear ducts "a workout".
Notes
External links
{{DEFAULTSORT:Williams, Ricky
Television characters introduced in 2002
Fictional journalists and mass media people
The Young and the Restless characters
Male characters in television