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Actress Dee Freeman Dies at 66 After Brave Cancer Battle

Dolores "Dee" Freeman, the actress known for roles in 'The Young and the Restless' and Tyler Perry's 'Sistas', has died at age 66. Her family confirmed she passed peacefully on April 2, 2026, following a battle with stage 4 lung cancer. Before her acting career, which included shows like 'Seinfeld' and 'ER', Freeman served in the U.S. Marine Corps and worked as a radio DJ in Japan. She is survived by her two children and was recently adapting her one-woman show into a novel.

Key Points: Dee Freeman, 'Young and the Restless' Actress, Dies at 66

  • Versatile TV actress passed at 66
  • Fought stage 4 lung cancer
  • Served in U.S. Marine Corps
  • Career spanned 'Seinfeld' to 'Sistas'
  • Was adapting her stage show into a novel
2 min read

'The Young and the Restless' actor Dee Freeman dies at 66

Dolores "Dee" Freeman, actress known for 'The Young and the Restless' and 'Sistas', passes at 66 after a fight with stage 4 lung cancer.

"It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her. - Family statement"

Washington, April 4

Dolores "Dee" Freeman, a versatile television actress known for her roles in 'The Young and the Restless' and 'Sistas', has died at the age of 66.

Her family confirmed that she passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, following a battle with stage 4 lung cancer.

In a statement shared on her official Instagram account, the family expressed their grief while acknowledging the support Freeman received during her illness.

"On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you," the statement read, adding, "Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026 after a brave and fearless fight with cancer."

The message also thanked fans and well-wishers, noting that Freeman was deeply moved by the outpouring of love.

"It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were pulling for her," the family added, remembering her as a "force of nature."

Born on June 6, 1959, in Louisiana, Dee Freeman had a diverse career path before entering the entertainment industry. She served for six years in the United States Marine Corps and later moved to Japan, where she worked as a radio DJ, as per Deadline.

Freeman made her on-screen debut in 1995 with a role in the television series 'Coach.'

Over the years, she appeared in popular shows such as 'Seinfeld', 'The X-Files', 'ER', 'Dexter', and 'Bones'.

She also featured in the long-running soap 'The Young and the Restless' and had a role in 'Sistas', created by Tyler Perry.

Between 2010 and 2015, Freeman starred as Ribina Champagne in the parody reality show 'Pretty the Series'.

In recent years, Freeman had been working on adapting her one-woman stage production, 'Poison Gun', into a novel inspired by her family history.

She is survived by her children, Amber and Shane, as well as her former spouse.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
What an incredible life! From the Marine Corps to a radio DJ in Japan to Hollywood. Truly a force of nature. Her journey is so inspiring. Condolences to her family.
A
Aman W
Stage 4 lung cancer is brutal. It's a reminder for all of us to get regular check-ups, no matter how busy life gets. Health is wealth. RIP Dee Freeman.
S
Sarah B
While her career was impressive, the article feels a bit like a standard obituary. I wish it had more personal anecdotes or quotes from her co-stars to really capture her spirit.
V
Vikram M
Om Shanti. She had such a varied filmography. 'Seinfeld', 'X-Files', 'Dexter'... shows we all grew up watching. A life well-lived, though cut short. My thoughts are with her children.
K
Kavya N
It's heartwarming to read that she was moved by the love from fans during her fight. Actors give us so much joy, it's good they know they are appreciated. A brave fight till the end. 💐

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