‘The Young and the Restless’ Turns 50: An Anniversary Celebration Brings Out a Cavalcade of Soap Stars (Photos)

“The Young and the Restless” celebrated a golden milestone Friday night when upwards of 60 current and former cast members, along with scores of its crew from the past and present, commemorated its 50^th anniversary.

Gathering at Vibiana, a former historic cathedral turned event venue in Downtown Los Angeles, those behind-the-scenes and in front of the camera had plenty to celebrate, including its standing as Daytime television’s No. 1 drama. “Y&R” star Lauralee Bell and her brother Bradley P. Bell – who is producer and headwriter at its sister show, “The Bold and the Beautiful” — honored their parents William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell, the creators of both CBS soaps.

Special anniversary episodes  of “Y&R” will air beginning March 23, with suspense and romance (of course) taking the spotlight as the residents of Genoa City gather to celebrate the town’s bicentennial at an opulent masquerade ball hosted by Victor (Eric Braeden) and Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), and bringing back many fan favorites from the past.

“The Young and the Restless” airs weekdays 12:30 p.m. ET, 11:30 a.m. PT on the CBS Television Network.