[dropcap]G[/dropcap]one but not forgotten, Jeanne Cooper’s fame has transcended generations. It’s been more than two years since her passing, and the hole her absence has left on The Young and the Restless is still almost as palpable as the day she passed. On May 8, 2013 the world lost a wonderful person and wonderful actress. We thought we’d share some little-known facts about one of the greatest actresses that ever lived.
10. An Actress Who Raised Actors
All three of Cooper’s children with former husband, Harry Bernsen, have film credits to their names. Her daughter Caren was in the movie The Trip (1967) and even made an appearance on Y&R in 1973. Her son Collin appeared on General Hosptial in 1963 and the movie Puppet Master II in 1990. Her oldest son Corbin is a wildly successful actor who’s been featured in over 100 movies and 50 TV shows and is best known for his role as Arnie on L.A Law.
9. She Played 5 Different Characters on Perry Mason
Appearing once on the legendary drama Perry Mason was a huge honor for any actor during the show’s nine-year run. Cooper had the honor of being on the show five times in five different roles. She first played Laura Beaumont in 1958 and ended her run in 1966 as Miriam Fielding.
8. She’s a Graduate of Pasadena Playhouse School
Being a grad of this historic performing arts school almost ensures an actor’s fame for life. Charles Bronson, Dustin Hoffman, Nick Nolte, and Leonard Nimoy are also alumni ofThe Pasadena Playhouse. In 1989, the school’s Alumni Board honored her with the Woman of the Year Award.
7. Her First Emmy Nomination
The first time Cooper was nominated for an Emmy was years before she appeared on Y&R. In 1962, she was nominated for the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role in the popular show Ben Casey.
6. She Founded A Charity
Cooper started a charity called The Katherine Chancellor Society, a national volunteer support system. Through this work that she proved to her fans the importance of giving back.
She donated time to Greenpeace, The National Wildlife Association, and several children’s charities. She used her popularity help those who needed it most.
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5. She Was in Over 30 Movies
Cooper’s superior acting and stunning looks garnered her quite a bit of fame before she hit the soap scene. Her first movie in 1953, The Redhead of Wyoming, led to great things. Other movies are Plunder Road (1957), Black Zoo (1963), and most recently Dead Air (2009).
4. One of the Longest Serving Soap Actors
Being on a show for 40 years is a huge accomplishment, and it’s not often that anyone lasts that long. Cooper has a place in soap history, being in the top ten (in ninth place) of the longest serving soap actors of all time.
3. She had a Romantic Relationship With Her On-Screen Son
It may come as a shock to some who have yet to read her book Not Young, Still Restless that she and Beau Kazer, who played Katherine’s son, Brock, one had a romantic relationship.
While it seems weird for the mom/son personas, it makes sense with how close the two were on and off screen. Kazer appeared on Y&R on and off from 1974 until Cooper’s death in 2013.
2. Her Emmy Wins
Fans may not realize this, but the very first Daytime Emmy award Cooper won was the Lifetime Achievement Award. She was honored with this trophy in 2004 during the 31st Daytime Emmy Awards. Her win Emmy win for Outstanding Lead Actress didn’t come until 2009, which was the only time she won in that category. However, she was nominated for that or the Outstanding Supporting Actress award nine times.
1. Her Last Y&R Scene
In a twist of fate, Cooper’s last scene was filmed on the date of Y&R’s 40th anniversary, Tuesday, March 26, 2013. Being one of the original cast members, it seems appropriate for her final taping to be on such a glorious day for the show. The scene aired on May 3rd that same year.
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