Katherine Chancellor
Katherine Chancellor | |||||||||||||||
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The Young and the Restless character | |||||||||||||||
Portrayed by | Jeanne Cooper (1974–2013) Beverly Garland (1981) Gisele MacKenzie (1986) Michael Learned (2011) | ||||||||||||||
Duration | 1974–2013 | ||||||||||||||
First appearance | January 18, 1974 | ||||||||||||||
Last appearance | May 3, 2013 | ||||||||||||||
Classification | Former; regular | ||||||||||||||
Introduced by | William J. Bell | ||||||||||||||
Crossover appearances | The Bold and the Beautiful | ||||||||||||||
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Katherine Chancellor is a fictional character from the CBS Daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Jeanne Cooper. Created and introduced by show creator William J. Bell in January 1974, Cooper's Katherine was introduced in an effort to increase the show's struggling ratings. When Bell's plan proved successful, Cooper was signed to a contract.[3] Cooper went on to become one of the longest-running cast members in the show's history, ending her nearly 40-year run on May 3, 2013, five days before her death.[4][5]
Throughout Katherine's history, a majority of her storylines have focused on her controversial and chaotic relationship with
Cooper is regarded as an icon of the genre, with some critics believing her character and performance are chiefly responsible for the soap opera's success and longevity. She is also famed for having her own
Casting
The character was introduced by Bell, after he was disappointed with the series' weak ratings, and hired Cooper as a quick fix to add controversy to the storylines.[3] In 2010, Cooper said she was called in by producer John Conboy for the role, who thought she was "such a good actress" and "hoped she would be interested in daytime".[7] The actress signed a three-year contract and expected to depart after its expiration, but became a crucial character.[7] Beverly Garland substituted for Cooper in the role in January 1981 for a few days when she fell ill. Gisele MacKenzie briefly substituted for Cooper for six episodes in August 1986. Cooper also appeared as Katherine on The Bold and the Beautiful for two episodes on October 31 and November 1, 2005.[8][9] In 2005, Cooper was awarded with the Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement.[10] In 2008, after several years of being nominated, Cooper received the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress.[10] In 1989, Cooper won Soap Opera Digest's Editor's Award along with the award for Outstanding Lead Actress.[10] In October 2011, it was announced Cooper had taken a medical leave,[11] and the role was temporarily recast with Michael Learned.[12][13][14] Shortly after, it was announced Cooper had returned to work,[15] reclaiming the role on December 23, 2011.[16][17] Cooper's final appearance as Katherine aired on May 3, 2013, five days before her death.[18]
Development
Characterization
Katherine has been referred to as "The Dame of Genoa City" and "The Duchess".[7] Cooper has said every time she goes to work, she "assumes somebody is watching for the first time."[19] The actress has said a longtime fan became attached to the character "because with all her money, she still had the same problems they did–it's just nicer to go through it all with money!"[19] Cooper has also said she felt it was "so smart" for the show to start Katherine off as a drunk, "because that has given her such a range of personality traits to express over the years."[19] In 2012, she felt Katherine had been "pretty dumb" because she had been acting as a minister, also stating the character becoming a minister was "funny".[19] Afterward, she told the producers, "Fun is fun, but Katherine is not a minister!"[19]
Feud with Jill
Katherine is known for her rivalry with
A writer from the
Death
Jeanne Cooper died on May 8, 2013.[27] On May 28, the series dedicated an entire episode to Cooper in which those closest to her reminisced about their time with her. Executive producer Jill Farren Phelps also revealed that in addition to the memorial tribute for Cooper, the writers would also incorporate Katherine Chancellor's death into the series.[28] Throughout most of the summer, Katherine being off screen is explained as being off on vacation with her husband, Murphy. Phelps denied rumors the show was planning to recast and revealed Kay's exit would be "as dramatic and meaningful as possible".[28] Phelps said the ramifications of the character's death would be big, especially in regard to what would happen with the character's company, Chancellor Industries. However, Phelps could not comment on what would happen to the iconic Chancellor Mansion set. It was revealed that Katherine's last words were adlibbed by Cooper herself. Cooper's real life son, Corbin Bernsen, officiated Katherine's memorial as Father Todd.[28] Cooper's co-star, Daniel Goddard, revealed on Facebook that filming for Katherine's memorial began on July 16, and was slated to air on September 3 and 4.[29] Entertainment Weekly later revealed Katherine's death would be acknowledged on August 16, 2013. Despite Katherine's family and friends being blindsided as they initially come to welcome her home, a fight immediately ensues over her fortune.[30]
Storylines
Background
Katherine is the daughter of Army intelligence officer, Walter Shepherd, and his wife.
1973–1998
When Katherine is first introduced, she and Phillip have been married for 12 years, but the marriage is crumbling due to Katherine's drinking. After discovering Phillip's affair with Jill (
In an attempt to save her marriage, Katherine and Derek go on a cruise. However, after realizing her marriage is over, Katherine jumps over board and is taken hostage by her savior, Filipe Ramirez. They fall in love and she divorces Derek for Filipe. In 1984, Katherine went under the knife for a facelift with her close friend,
Later, Rex's former cellmate,
1998–2005
In July 1998, Jill discovers a letter from Phillip II leaving the Chancellor Mansion to her. Jill tries to evict Katherine who finds a legal loophole which results in Katherine and Jill being forced to share the house. Jill nearly drives Katherine to drink again; instead, Katherine runs off and contemplates suicide. Lost and broke, after being robbed, Katherine is taken in by a homeless girl,
2005–2013
In 2005, Cooper appears as Katherine on
In 2008, Katherine has a minor stroke while secretly trying to help Marge - who has recently returned - get into rehab. In November of that year, Katherine and Marge get into a car accident on the way to the rehab center. Katherine is mistaken for Marge and pronounced dead at the scene. Kay is rescued by Marge's friend,
In the summer of 2009, it is revealed Cane is not Jill's son, but a man hired by the real Phillip who faked his death because he was gay. Katherine becomes an ordained minister to marry Amber and
When Jack takes control of Newman Enterprises and steals Neil away from Chancellor, Katherine comes out of retirement to run her company on her own. Katherine begins suffering from lapses of memory and Jill blames her new assistant,
Katherine and Murphy then embark on a three-month-long vacation to several locations where they send postcards to her relatives instructing them to meet her at the mansion on August 16. Jill is shocked to realize the places on the list are on Katherine's bucket list. Murphy returns and tells everyone Katherine died in her sleep following a reunion with Tucker on August 1.[1] Katherine leaves Jill a mysterious letter, while she encourages Nikki to track down the child she gave up as a teenager. After Katherine's funeral, she appears to Jill and Nikki smiling. Katherine instructs her family and friends to celebrate her life, instead of mourning her death. In the meantime, she leaves Devon the remainder of her estate, amounting in $2.45 billion.
Reception
Katherine is considered a daytime television icon,
We've watched Katherine Chancellor lose her husband to a younger woman, undergo a face-lift, battle alcoholism and return to her family after her doppelganger died in a car wreck. Cooper's Kay lends sympathetic support to loved ones like her best pal Nikki and her granddaughter Mac, but what we love to see Kay do more than anything is outwit her rival Jill, a feat she often excels at.
In 2022, Charlie Mason from
References
- ^ a b "The Loss of Katherine Chancellor". The Young and the Restless. Sony Pictures Television. August 20, 2013. Archived from the original on August 23, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
- ^ "Toledo Blade - Google News Archive Search".
- ^ a b "The Young and the Restless". E! True Hollywood Story. May 20, 2001. E!.
- ^ "About the Actors: Jeanne Cooper". Theyoungandtherestless.com. Sony Pictures Television. Archived from the original on November 27, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c Muraro, Kim (September 27, 2012). "'The Young and the Restless' Airs 10,000th Episode Today". LimeLife. Archived from the original on October 3, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Harris, Beth (September 27, 2012). "Jeanne Cooper still thriving on daytime TV". The Washington Times. Sun Myung Moon. Retrieved November 24, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Fairman, Michael (July 26, 2012). "The Jeanne Cooper Interview - The Young and the Restless". On-Air On-Soaps. Michael Fairman Soaps, Inc. Retrieved November 23, 2012.
- ^ "Monday, 31st October 2005". The Bold and the Beautiful. Sony Pictures Television. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
- ^ "Tuesday, 1st November 2005". The Bold and the Beautiful. Sony Pictures Television. Retrieved July 29, 2012.
- ^ a b c "About Y&R: About the Actors: Jeanne Cooper". Soap Central. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (October 21, 2011). "Jeanne Cooper taking medical leave from Y&R". SoapCentral. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ a b c d Fairman, Michael (October 22, 2011). "Michael Learned to temporarily replace Jeanne Cooper on The Young and the Restless!". On-Air On-Soaps. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Hibberd, James (October 21, 2011). "Young and the Restless temporarily replaces Jeanne Cooper". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Hughes, Adam (October 25, 2011). "Michael Learned to Join 'The Young and the Restless' in November". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (November 9, 2011). "Jeanne Cooper back at Y&R". Soap CEntral. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- CBS Soaps In Depth. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Fairman, Michael (November 12, 2011). "Y&R's Jeanne Cooper will be back on-screen just in time for Christmas Episodes!". On-Air On-Soaps. Michael Fairman Soaps, Inc. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Giddens, Jamey (May 8, 2013). "Young and Restless Writer Reveals Jeanne Cooper's Final Episode Already Aired". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Archived from the original on May 10, 2013. Retrieved May 8, 2013.
- ^ a b c d e McElwain, Julie (August 27, 2012). "Feature Interview". CBS Soaps In Depth. p. 57.
- ^ "Y&R: Famous Plots – Kay/Jill Feud". Theyoungandtherestless.com. Sony Pictures Television. Archived from the original on February 21, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "Y&R: Famous Plots". Globaltv.com. Global TV. Archived from the original on November 23, 2012. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ Kroll, Dan J. (February 1, 2003). "Y&R Vets Returning For "Shocker"". SoapCentral. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ "'The Young and the Restless' Spoilers: Chloe's Drama". BuddyTV. September 4, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Reichardt, Nancy (September 26, 1993). "Acting out of character on 'The Young and the Restless'". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- ^ Jamaica Gleaner. Gleaner Company. November 11, 2006. Archived from the originalon November 21, 2008. Retrieved November 22, 2012.
- ^ a b Novakovich, Lilana (December 11, 1998). "Y&R's Kay and Jill television's most enduring battle". Waterloo Region Record. Metroland Media Group.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (May 8, 2013). "Longtime 'Young & the Restless' star Jeanne Cooper dies at 84". Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Lions Gate Entertainment. Retrieved May 16, 2013.
- ^ Newcomb, Roger (July 13, 2013). "NEWS: Katherine Chancellor Memorial, Monica Potter, Ian Ziering, Michael B. Jordan, Lindsay Lohan, Tinder App, Elisabeth Moss". We Love Soaps. We Love Soaps LLC. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Newcomb, Roger (August 9, 2013). "Final Goodbye to Katherine Chancellor Begins August 16 on THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS". We Loves Soaps. We Loves Soaps LLC. Retrieved August 9, 2013.
- ^ Series producer: Jill Farren Phelps; Writer(s): Jean Passanante and Shelly Altman (March 5, 2014). The Young and the Restless. Season 40. CBS.
- ^ Series Producer: Jill Farren Phelps; Writer: Josh Griffith (August 23, 2013). The Young and the Restless. Season 40. CBS.
- ^ "Who's Who in Genoa City: Katherine Chancellor". Soap Central. Retrieved March 18, 2012.
- ^ "Who's Who in Genoa City: Brock Reynolds | the Young and the Restless on Soap Central".
- ^ The Young and the Restless Special Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition p.196 Family Trees, The Chancellors
- ^ The Young and the Restless Special Silver Anniversary Collector's Edition p.156.
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- ^ Garrett, Tommy (February 15, 2012). "Kate Linder's Tea Party For Charity Was Attended By Several Of Her Famous 'The Young And The Restless' Costars, Highlight Hollywood Exclusive". Highlight Hollywood. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
- ^ Lewis, Errol (May 8, 2013). "FINAL SCENE: Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor on 'The Young and the Restless'". Soap Opera Network. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (July 25, 2016). "'Young and the Restless' brings back Jeanne Cooper in flashback scene". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved September 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Harris, Beth (September 27, 2012). "Jeanne Cooper still thrives on daytime TV". Yahoo!. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- ^ The Winnipeg Free Press. Retrieved November 20, 2012.
- HuffPost TV. AOL-HuffPost TV Group. Retrieved March 24, 2015.
- She Media. Retrieved July 27, 2023.