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Veteran actress Jeanne Cooper, best known for her longstanding role as Katherine Chancellor on the daytime soap opera "The Young and the Restless" has died. Cooper was 84.The California native was born in Kern County in October 1928, and began her career in showbiz in the early 1950s. Cooper was a fixture on television in the 1950s and 1960s, but she secured her place in eventual TV fame and history when she landed the role of Katherine Chancellor on "Y&R" in 1973.
In the early 1980s, Cooper made waves for undergoing a facelift in real life and as Chancellor, with footage from her actual surgery included in the broadcast. Recently Cooper told "The Talk" the storyline was her idea. "I walked by a mirror one day and scared the hell out of myself," she explained.
Cooper steadily held the role of Katherine Chancellor until 2011, when she fell ill, and the part was recast with actress Michael Learned. However, Cooper made her return to the show in the role just a couple of months later. Recently Cooper took part in promoting the show's landmark 40th anniversary, however her health began to decline soon after.
Married for 23 years to TV producer Harry Bernsen until their divorce in the 1970s, all three of the couple's children, Corbin, Collin, and Caren, are actors.
Although she hadn't posted since 2011, Cooper had a Twitter account, which her son, Corbin, mentioned recently in a series of tweets about his mom. Reassuring fans just a day prior to her death Cooper was hanging on, Bernsen noted his mom was "resting and comfortable" hours before she passed away.
Mom passed this morning. She was in peace and without fear. U all have been incredible in your love. In her name share it 2 day with others.
— Corbin Bernsen (@corbinbernsen) May 8, 2013
In a longer post on Facebook, Bernsen notes his mother died in her sleep with his sister by her side, adding:
I was going to visit this afternoon, thought I had time. Reminder to self - time is a precious thing. I too am at peace however. I said my goodbyes several times over during the last few weeks. I'll go one last time now for a gentle kiss a final farewell for this lifetime. She has been a blaze her entire life, that beacon, that boxer I spoke of earlier. She went the full twelve rounds and by unanimous decision... won! And 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.
Flowers will be placed on Cooper's Hollywood Walk of Fame star today, according to City News Service.
