‘Young And The Restless’ Star Passes At Age 84

Wilma Jeanne Cooper, better known professionally as Jeanne Cooper, died peacefully Wednesday at age 84, due to complications from an undisclosed infection.  Cooper  is best known for her long-time starring role on CBS’s day-time drama television show, ‘The Young and the Restless’.  She was nominated 10 times, and finally received an Emmy Award in 2008 with her role as Katherine Chancellor on the acclaimed soap opera.  She also won a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Her career spanned 60 years, starting  with her first supporting role as Myra, in the 1953 western film, The Redhead from Wyoming, with stars of the time such as Maureen O’Hara, Glenn Ford, Tony Curtis, and Henry Fonda.  This March, she filmed her last scene on the show on the same day as the Ýoung and the Restless’ 40th anniversary.  This scene aired on May 3, 2013, five days before her demise.  She also had many other supporting and guest roles in various television programs and movies over the span of her incredible career.

Cooper and television producer Harry Bernsen, Jr. were married in 1954, and stayed together twenty-three years before divorcing in 1977.  The Bernsens had three children, all of whom are actors: Corbin Bernsen of  ‘L.A. Law’, Caren Bernsen, and Collin Bernsen.