‘Young And The Restless’ actress dies at 66 after devastating diagnosis
Dee Freeman, a talented actress, writer, and veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, who gained recognition for her performances in Sistas and Young And The Restless, has sadly passed away at the age of 66.
Freeman peacefully departed on April 2, 2026, after bravely fighting stage 4 lung cancer.
Her family shared the news in a touching Instagram post the following day.
She also appeared in Seinfeld and Dexter.
Born on June 6, 1959, in Louisiana, Freeman’s path to Hollywood was quite unique. After completing high school, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps — a choice she once described as starting “on a dare,” but it ultimately became a fundamental part of who she was.
She served for six years, attributing her discipline, resilience, and sense of purpose to that experience.
Following her military career, Freeman pursued the arts, creating a remarkable legacy on stage with over 80 theater productions. Renowned for her emotional depth and commanding presence, she later made a successful transition to television and film, dedicating more than two decades to her craft in Hollywood.
Freeman was featured in a diverse array of beloved shows, such as Seinfeld, ER, The X-Files, Dexter, Shameless, and NCIS: Los Angeles. Additionally, she had roles in The Young and the Restless and starred in the satirical web series Pretty.
In recent years, she received renewed acclaim for her role as Valerie Barnes on BET’s Sistas, appearing in Seasons 9 and 10. She had been invited to return for Season 11.
“It blew her away to know…”
At the time of her passing, Freeman was still actively creating. She was in the process of adapting her one-woman stage show, Poison Gun, into a novel inspired by her family’s history — a testament to her unwavering dedication to storytelling.
Publicist Desirae L. Benson honored Freeman’s character and strength in a statement:
“Dee wasn’t just my client—she was someone I genuinely respected and admired. She carried herself with a level of grace, strength, and authenticity that is rare. Even while facing stage 4 lung cancer, she showed up with courage and dignity. Dee possessed a quiet power that commanded respect without ever needing to demand it. Her legacy lives on not only in her work but in the way she made people feel—and that will remain with us forever.”
According to her family, she passed away after a prolonged battle with lung cancer.
“Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, after a brave and fearless fight with cancer,” their statement read. “Thank you to everyone who supported Dee during her battle. It blew her away to know how many people cared about her and were rooting for her. We believe 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.”
In addition to her professional life, Freeman was a loving mother to her two kids, Amber and Shane, whom she frequently referred to as her most significant achievement.
Even during her last moments, she stayed true to her character. Her son Shane remembered that when people asked how she was feeling, she would simply say, “Can’t complain. On the other side doesn’t do you any good.”
Freeman lived life according to her own rules, once stating that acting was her biggest passion — a passion she held onto until the very end.
She is survived by her children, Amber and Shane.