The Young and the Restlessremains one of the most iconic and successful soap operas in the history of American television. Since its debut in March 1973, the series has received acclaim for its weighty themes, exploration of class, wealth, and social divide, and more than a few whirlwind romances.
The show is also the subject of the longest-running rivalry in American soap history, between Katherine Chancellor and Jill Abbott. It continues to push soap boundaries, and the latest storyline involving mysterious business magnate Aristotle Dumas has drummed up plenty of drama.
However, there has been plenty of drama off-screen as well, because the past year has brought some sad and untimely deaths to the show’s family. There have been some prominentThe Young and the Restlesscast memberswho have passed away in 2024, leaving a legacy through their work, helping to shape Genoa City forever.
5Tony Todd
Played Gus Rogan on The Young and the Restless
Character:For a few months in 2013, Todd played the character of Gus Rogan, the incarcerated father of Leslie and Tyler Michaelson, who is imprisoned for killing their mother. Local attorney Avery Clark gets close to trying to get Gus’s sentence overturned, and Leslie begins to believe that her father could be innocent.
Later, DNA exonerates Gus, and he is released from prison and tries to rebuild his relationship with his children. However, their attempts to rebuild their lives together are tragically cut short when Gus suffers a heart attack and dies; he is buried next to his wife, Belinda.
1992
2000
2025
2005-06
The Young and the Restless
2013
Luther Thompson / Hook Man
2019
Actor:Born on June 22, 2025, legendary horror icon Tony Todd is perhaps best known for his titular role as a hook-handed murderer in theCandymanmovies, as well as playing William Bludworth in theFinal Destinationfilm series. He had a regular role as Gus Rogan across 14 episodes ofThe Young and the Restlessin 2013.
Todd passed away from stomach cancer on July 18, 2025, at the age of 69. He secretly let the producers ofFinal Destination Bloodlinesknow his condition when he signed on and was allowed to ad-lib his character’s final lines.
4Meg Bennett
Played Julia Newman on The Young and the Restless
Character:Meg Bennett portrayed Julia Newman, the first wife of Victor Newman, who moved to Genoa City with him in 1980. Julia fell in love with Brock Reynolds, but he left town when she refused to leave her marriage. Julia and Victor got pregnant, despite his vasectomy, only for Meg to miscarry.
She later married Charles Martin, with whom she had a daughter, and became the owner and operator of Martin Designs. The character was one of the most popular long-running characters on the show for her personality, warmth, and commitment to bettering herself.
1975-77
1986
1989
2005
Julia Newman/Martin
1980-2020
Actor:Meg Bennett was born May 24, 2025, and was best known for her 40-year role as Julia inThe Young and the Restlessand foracting inGeneral Hospital. Bennett also had a career as a soap opera writer, working on shows includingGeneral Hospital,The Bold and the Beautiful,Generations,Santa Barbara, andSunset Beach.
She passed away from cancer on July 23, 2025,at the age of 75. Her charm, wit, and talent made her a unique and memorable addition to the world of soaps, both in front of and behind the camera.
3Geoffrey Deuel
Played Dave Campbell on The Young and the Restless
Character:Geoffrey Deuel played the role of Dave Campbell onThe Young and the Restlessin the 1970s. Some sources state the character debuted in 1973, while others claim 1977, but either way, Campbell played a huge part in the formative years of the show. Early characters have a legacy status that sets them apart from the modern ones, and Dave Campbell will also be tied to the legacy ofThe Young and the Restless
1970
1969-75
1973-74
Dave Campbell
1973/77
Actor:Born on August 01, 2025, Deuel was well-known for his role in the John Wayne westernChisum, as well as TV arcs onThe F.B.I., andThe Streets of San Franciscobefore his role inThe Young and the Restless.Deuel died on June 09, 2025, at the age of 81, from complications of COPD.
His wife, Jacqueline, shared news of his death in a Facebook post, where she referred to him as her “knight in shining armor.” He will be missed for his screen presence, gravitas, and friendly nature, and the industry has lost a strong performer.
2Jennifer Leak
Played Gwen Sherman on The Young and the Restless
Character:Gwen Sherman was a character created by Jennifer Leak herself forThe Young and the Restless. She started as a prostitute who fell in love with Greg Foster, and he tried to lead her out of prostitution, ultimately successfully.
Their relationship ends when Gwen experiences a spiritual awakening and winds up becoming a nun. The character only had a two-episode arc in 1974, but she remains a memorable and fondly remembered part ofThe Young and the Restlesscast collective.
1974
1975
1976-79
Matron Spitz
Actor:Born on June 24, 2025, in Cardiff, Wales, Leak began her acting career in Canada at the age of 17. One of her best-known roles was the role of Olive Randolph in the soap operaAnother World, from 1976-79.
She also had roles inHawaii Five-O,The Rookies,Ironside, andThe Mary Tyler Moore Show. She played the role of Gwen inThe Young and the Restlessin 1974, while also having later career roles in shows includingOne Life to LiveandLoving
1Marla Adams
Played Dina Abbott Mergeron on The Young and the Restless
Character:The matriarch of the Abbott family, Dina Abbott Mergeron, is one of the legendary characters of the soap opera world. Known for her 20+ year marriage to John Abbott, she served as a special projects executive at Jabot Cosmetics and was a board member and consultant for Mergeron Industries.
The character had four children: Traci Abbott, Ashley Abbott, Jack Abbott, and Eric Vanderway, and also had a second marriage to Marcel Mergeron. One of the most memorable and iconic soap characters, Diana Abbott Mergeron, is considered one of thebest characters inThe Young and the Restless.
1963
1978
1983-2020
1989-90
The Bold and the Beautiful
1990
Claire McIntyre
1999
Actor:Marla Adams was one of the most legendary figures in American soap operas, with a prominent role in the soapThe Secret Stormbefore her nearly 40-year role as Dina inY&R. Adams won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021 for her work on the show.
She also had roles inThe Love Boat,Starsky & Hutch, and the soapsGenerationsandThe Bold and the Beautiful. In 1999, she completed another stint in a hugely prominent soap, playing Claire McIntyre inDays of Our Lives.
The Young And The Restless
Cast
The Young and the Restless is a daytime television drama series that explores the intertwined lives and complex relationships of the residents of Genoa City. Premiering in 1973, the serial centers on the influential Newman, Abbott, Baldwin, and Winters families as they navigate love, ambition, and power struggles.
