Y&R Legend Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) 1928-2013

[Zoneboy]

Link

(WLTX) - Jeanne Cooper, one of the venerable matriarchs of CBS' hit soap 'The Young & the Restless," has died after a battle with an undisclosed illness.

Actor Corbin Bersen, her son, confimed the news on his Twitter and Facebook page. He said she died with his sister by her side.

"While her light finally gave into the wind that gives flight to all our journeys, there will always be a glimmer left behind by what she stood for," Bernsen wrote.

Cooper, 84, had played Katherine Chancellor on the soap opera since 1973. In fact, she began her run on the soap just seven months after it began.

Before joining the program, Cooper had a long career in TV and film. In 2004 she received a lifetime achievement award from the Daytime Emmys.

[HuntingtonM15]

It truly is the end of an era. I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any less devastating.

This is such a blow to Y&R, Daytime television, and the entertainment industry in general.

Jeanne, Forever Rest in Peace.

[gidgetgrape]

Oh darn! She was a big part of my childhood. R.I.P.

[Zoneboy]

[Janice]

She was truly a legend in daytime television/soaps. She seemed like a cool lady who told it like it was.

[Family Ties Forever!]

RIP

[Mr. Television]

She was a true legend. R.I.P. Jeanne.

[AB]

So very sad to hear this, I was hoping she would recover from the illness.

[catlover79]

God bless her - she was a wonderful actress who seemed like a very cool lady as well. My heart and prayers go out to her children, Corbin, Colin and Carin, her grandchildren, the rest of her family and friends, and her colleagues at Y&R. She will never be forgotten.

[catlover79]

Originally Posted by HuntingtonM15

It truly is the end of an era. I knew it was coming, but it doesn't make it any less devastating.

This is such a blow to Y&R, Daytime television, and the entertainment industry in general.

Jeanne, Forever Rest in Peace.

I agree 100%. She WAS Y&R. She had her facelift written into the show (as cameras focused on Jeanne/Katherine taking off the bandages and looking into the mirror) as well as her alcoholism. Jeanne said in more than one interview that Katherine's alcoholism was the most important storyline she had ever played.

[80sTrivia]

So very sad to hear this news, although it was not unexpected from the blog posts her son Corbin has made over the past few weeks. She is certainly irreplaceable, both in life and as the very heart and soul of The Young & The Restless. There will be a vacant spot where Katherine Chancellor once stood, and no one will ever stand in that spot again. She will be missed by millions...

[catlover79]

They would never permanently recast Katherine. They'll have to write her off as having died as well, because NO ONE, cast, crew or fans, would accept anything else.

I just hope Y&R gives Jeanne and Katherine a worthy send-off/tribute. The Daytime Emmys better give Jeanne a tribute as well!!! (Though knowing the Emmys, I doubt it.)

Speaking of which, who is airing the Daytime Emmys this year?

[HuntingtonM15]

I can't even imagine how heartbreaking it will be to watch the funeral scene when Y&R does it.

[HuntingtonM15]

Just some of the soap star tweets I've come across today:

She lived a long life. She kicked her fair share of asses. The world just got a little less feisty today. You'll be missed, Jeanne Cooper. -Michael Muhney



These hallowed halls will never be the same - Joshua Morrow



I am deeply saddened by Jeanne's passing! She had struggled enormously to the very end! She loved her fans, & we all loved working with her!

It feels like the end of an era! Everyone here is just deeply saddened! I loved working with her! We always had some laughs!

She had a very loving family around her! Corbin and Collin and Caren and their loved ones were always at Jeanne's side!

Thank's for all your kind words about Jeanne! I loved working with her! We always had a laugh about something! Always looked 4ward 2wrkwher!

She was a "broad" in the best sense of the word! Tough, generous, and full of the dickens! 1st our soundman Luis &now Jeanne! End of an era!

Her passing is just hitting me in stages!

I remember@the 40th anniv party she was standing betw Peter@me&I turned 2 him&said I thought she looked very frail&we were worried about her

You have all sent such nice messages! She'd love that! The crew had put a little table with her picture&flowers in front of her dressing rm!

Of all of us @y&r it probably hits hardest with Patti Denny&George Guzman who both worked with her every day doing her make-up! -Eric Braeden



Jeanne took me under her wing from the moment I started Y&R. A friend, teacher, mother figure, a true joy. I will miss her so! -Lauralee Bell



I am just crushed to hear that #JeanneCooper has passed away. We have lost an icon. She was the grand dame, a beautiful soul who touched the lives of millions. I am honored and so privileged to have been part of her miraculous life... and she will always be in my heart. -Daniel Goddard



Rest peacefully @Jeannecooper1. We love you and look forward to singing a new song.
Psalm 23 -Scott Reeves



The world lost one of its original Dames today. To say Jeanne will be missed is a vast understatement. Love you Jeanne. -Jeff Branson



Heaven just gained one feisty angel. RIP the beautiful Jeanne Cooper. -Melissa Claire Egan



A legend may pass but their light never goes out. #RIPJeanne My prayers are with her family. -Steve Burton



No Words...

There are some people in the world who are just magical...Jeanne Cooper was one of those people #Legend #ripjeanne #originalbadass #beauty -Michelle Stafford



Grateful for the time we shared together. A legendary human being. -Kevin Schmidt



RIP dear Jeanne Cooper. She was a mentor to me and I will be forever Grateful for her kindness. She was a Broad and she taught me a lot! -Lisa Rinna



My beautiful friend Jeanne Cooper passed away this morning. I am heartbroken! I love you so much Jeanne! Now coolest strongest angel ever!!! -Adrienne Frantz



I'm crushed to lose my mentor, friend & co-worker. Sweet dream, Jeanne. My love to ur family! -Kate Linder



Today Heaven welcomed one fiesty, spirited, brilliant Diva. Jeanne Cooper's light will never go out. Thank God. -Nancy Lee Grahn



My heart goes out to Jeanne Cooper's family, friends and all her fans. What a legend! Blessed to have had the opportunity to work with her. -Ashley
Jones



I am terribly sad to hear of #JeanneCooper's passing. What a fine lady she was. Talented, huge heart, funny as hell, and sexy to the end. -Eden Riegel



RIP Jeanne Cooper.
Amazing talent. Beautiful person. Intuitive. Kind.
No one did classy and ballsy as well as she...xo

Jeanne Cooper was gracious & welcoming to new players on the set.
Extras, day players, to me. She made me feel like family on the first day.

I have thought about her kindnesses through the years. Everyone loved her. -Barbara Crampton



Lost a legend today. Jeanne Cooper who was an incredible woman, mom, grandmother, and actress. She was a firecracker and always spoke her...

Mind which I admire more than anything. With Jeanne, what you saw is what you got. You will be missed, Katherine Chancellor will be missed..

I'm glad she lived a long full life. If only we all can be so lucky. -Christel Khalil



so blessed to have had some sweet moments with jeanne cooper she is unforgettable. prayers for her family -Melissa Reeves



My heart hurts.

Jeanne was one of a kind, a personal giant, a sublime example of how to behave on planet Earth. I will miss her more than I can describe. -Doug Davidson

[MickeyMac]