The Young and the Restless star Dee Freeman dies aged 66 from lung cancer
Dee’s family announced the news on Instagram (Picture: Wendell Teodoro)
Dee Freeman, who’s best known for starring on The Young and the Restless, has died aged 66.
Dee’s family announced the news on Instagram, where they revealed she’d passed away on Thursday from stage four lung cancer.
The post read: ‘On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you.
‘Dee passed away peacefully on April 2, 2026, after a brave and fearless fight with cancer.’
Her family then thanked those who supported Dee while she was living with cancer, adding, ‘It blew her away to know how many people cared about her.’
‘We know 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,’ it finished.
Following the news, family and friends paid tribute to the late actress.
‘Ms. Dee was a force and so lovely to work with,’ wrote Crystal Renee. ‘She will be missed. Sending my love to her family and loved ones.’
Born in 1959 in Louisiana, Dee spent six years serving in the US Marine Corps before chasing her acting dreams.
Family and friends have paid tribute to the star (Picture: Paul Archuleta/Getty Images)
‘Oh, Ms Dee— Thank you for your beautiful energy and the light you brought to SISTAS. Prayers to the family,’ added actor Brian Jordan, Jr. ‘We will always speak your name.’
Meanwhile, publicist Desirae Lee Brockington said: ‘I am so heartbroken. Dee was a true gem, and as her publicist, I watched her growth, her elevation and how she lit up every room she entered!! No more pain, I’m comforted knowing she is free.’
Born in 1959 in Louisiana, Dee began her career in the US Marine Corps of all places.
She spent six years in the service, rising to the rank of sergeant.
Dee Freeman in the TV show Sistas (Picture: BETNetworks)
After leaving the corps, she lived in Japan, where she worked as a DJ at a radio station. Eventually, Dee moved to Los Angeles, where she secured her first TV credit in a minor role on the show Coach. Following this, she went on to appear on Party of Five, 3rd Rock From The Sun, Seinfeld, The X-Files, Six Feet Under, and ER.
Drag Race star Misua who was set to appear on series dies aged 27
Last One Laughing 2026 confirms its winner - and the show's major flaw
The fate of Claudia Winkleman's BBC talk show 'rests in her hands'
In October 2025, Freeman announced she had been diagnosed with lung cancer.
To help cover the costs, she launched a GoFundMe page.
‘I’m fighting this with not only western medicine but alternative medicine as well,’ she wrote. ‘Whether your donation is big or small, every cent helps.’
Before her death, she had been adapting her one-woman show, ‘based on my childhood in Louisiana, my grandparents’ murder, and the subsequent investigation,’ into a novel.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
Arrow
MORE: Noah Wyle: ‘The Pitt does something unique – it’s a stroke of genius’
Arrow
MORE: Sports presenter in tears over autistic son’s message during ‘best episode of all time’
Arrow
MORE: The Jeopardy final question that saw all the contestants leave with nothing — could you get it right?
Comment now
Comments
Add Metro as a Preferred Source on Google
Add as preferred source
TV Newsletter
Sign up and tell us which TV shows you love to watch to get personalised updates every morning.
