Dolores “Dee” Freeman, who made her debut on the ABC sitcom Coach and was part of the famed soap opera The Young and the Restless, died at the age of 66 on April 2, 2026, according to an announcement by her family on Instagram. She passed away after a battle with cancer.

Dee Freeman of Young and Restless fame dies at 66

Dee Freeman passed away on April 2, 2026, according to a statement from her family. Posting on Instagram, her family wrote, “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.”

The statement added, “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 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.”

Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman served in the United States Marine Corps. After completing her military service, she pursued acting and eventually appeared in television roles. She appeared in The Young and the Restless and Shameless. She also guest-starred in NCIS: Los Angeles and several other shows. Her most recent appearance came in Tyler Perry’s Sistas.

Freeman’s publicist, Desirae L. Benson, said in a statement, “Dee wasn’t just my client — she was someone I truly respected and admired. She carried herself with a level of grace, strength, and authenticity that is rare. 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.”

At the time of her passing, Freeman was reportedly working on a novel adaptation of her one-woman show, Poison Gun.

Many tributes have poured in following the news of her passing.