The Young and the Restless actress Dee Freeman has died at the age of 66.
Dee Freeman has died after a ‘brave and fearless’ battle with lung cancer
The star’s family announced on social media that she had passed away on Thursday (02.04.26) following a battle with stage four lung cancer.
They wrote in an Instagram post on Friday (03.04.26): “On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you. Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, after a brave and fearless fight with cancer.”
The statement continued: “Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her.
“We knew Dee is up there in heaven, being the force of nature she always was. Now she’s doing it with her angel wings on. Rest in peace, Dee.”
Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman spent six years serving in the US Marine Corps and also worked as a DJ on a radio station in Japan before pursuing a career in acting.
She landed her debut screen role in a 1995 episode of ABC sitcom Coach before featuring in three episodes of the long-running US soap opera The Young and the Restless between 1997 and 2009.
Freeman led the satirical show Pretty the Series from 2010 to 2015 and also made appearances in TV shows including Seinfeld, Rude Awakening, ER, The Hughleys, The X-Files, Dexter, 3rd Rock from the Sun, Do Us Part, Shameless, NCIS: Los Angeles and Sistas.
Dee’s publicist Desirae L Benson described her as “someone I truly respected and admired” and hailed the “strength” she showed during her cancer battle.
She wrote: “Even in the face of stage 4 lung cancer, she showed up with courage and dignity. Dee had a quiet power that commanded respect without ever needing to demand it.
“Her legacy is not just in her work, but in how she made people feel – and that will stay with us forever.”
Tribute to the actress also flooded in from co-stars following the tragic news of her passing.
Sistas star Crystal Renee wrote: “Ms. Dee was a force and so lovely to work with. She will be missed. Sending my love to her family and loved ones.”
Actor Brian Jordan Jr. added: “Oh Ms Dee – Thank you for your beautiful energy and the light you brought to Sistas. Prayers to the family. We will always speak your name.”
