Connect with us

News

Y&R's Jess Walton Issues Statement On Beloved Scene Partner & Dear Friend, Jeanne Cooper!

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

Photo Credit: Kathy Hutchins

What is Genoa City going to be like without its true supercouple?  For decades fans have watched with delight as two of the best actresses on daytime television would battle it out, throw cake at each other, love each other, be there for each other, and steal each other’s men!

With the passing of soap icon Jeanne Cooper today, Jess Walton, (who was Cooper’s long time scene partner and one of her dearest friends) issued the following beautiful statement that best exemplifies the kind of grand dame that Jeanne Cooper was.

Jess Walton:  “Jeanne Cooper was one of a kind. No one who has ever known her would disagree with that statement. Her life force and energy were legendary. Many a time I marveled as she outlasted the rest of us on late night shoots. She was a moving, inventive, and powerful actress. She was a loving mother and grandmother.  She was part warrior, part rabble rouser, part truck driver and part Diva, all wrapped up in one Great Lady.  Most of all, to me, she was my friend and I loved her.  For the last 26 years, hers was the face I most wanted to see when I came to work. Hers was the energy I most wanted to bounce off of on stage.  Hers was the voice that kept me in stitches .  And because of all that, hers is the presence I will never in my life forget.”

Soap fans, we know you will miss the scenes between Jess and Jeanne.   Share your thoughts on the passing of Jeanne Cooper today, and what you thought of Walton’s statement on the kind of actress and lady that Jeanne was!

Click to comment

0 Comments
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Such beautiful words from Jess. May Jeanne dancing amongst the angels for eternity.

Such sad news. Jeanne will be truly missed. Rest in peace dear Jeanne

That was beautifully said… she is a true friend. I will miss the two of them and their crazy relationship. Y&R will not be the same without Jeanne. She will be missed. My thoughts are with her family and her friends.

What beautiful words that Jess said about her friend. Jeanne (ms c) was one in a million. I have watched y n r since I was 5. I’m 39 now. She will be missed. <3

To the cast and crew of Y&R
I haved watched your show for a long time
My condolences. To you all
Jeanie cooper will be missed
She was an icon
The show will never be the same. Without her.
She was a legend
Kim Cheung 🙂

I remember reading in her memoir about co-stars that were let go suddenly for whatever reason would walk up a staircase in whatever scene they were last seen in. They never
came back downstairs. It was a running joke. How appropriate for Mrs. C to
do the same thing. I’m sad at her passing but I know she is just beginning
her second act. We were blessed and honored to have known such a great woman.
Goodnight Duchess, sleep well.

Oh wow, did not know that– it really does give that scene between her and Jess by the stairs so much more meaning. Looking back I think both of knew it might be their last scene and you could just feel this sadness in the vibe the two were giving off. And it also explains why GH did the same thing when saying goodbye to Edward and Lila- when they had their look a likes going up a staircase, never to come down. It is making me tear up just thinking about it. Thanks for the insight.

Yes, that scene on the stairs was amazingly touching. Now, realizing it was their last one together, I feel weak in the knees. The same applies to the coming home from the hospital scene where she & Murphy were on the sofa & Cane, Lily, Chloe & Esther welcomed her with a toast.
Jess, your statement is a beautiful tribute to a beloved friend & colleague. I’ve watched Y&R for 36 years & feel as if I’ve lost a close family member. She was an amazing woman who led a full & rich life. Thank you, Jeanne for all the years of entertainment ! Much love and may you rest in peace.
Valerie Sawyer

what a second act this should be.

she imparted so much knowledge with her being.

she knew her children would know… just as we fans have garnered her profession.. and likened her personal life just as much.

she imbues the best of us.

I have watched and loved Jeanne Cooper on YR since the first day she appeared on screen. I will miss her there every day from now on. My loving prayers are now for her family.

A beautiful statement by Jess Walton about the beautiful Jeanne Cooper. She will be missed on my TV screen for a long long time Thanks for the memories Mrs C.

I’m a very sorry for everyone in the cast & crew for their loss. Jess’ words were beautifully written & heartfelt. I will miss seeing Jeanne on the screen, she has been a part of my life for over 30 years. Maybe it’s silly but I feel the loss in my heart.

The fabulos Mrs.C will be missed. She has been part of my life since the show began. She was the light of the show. Jess hit the nail on the head about her. All soap fans will miss seeing the two of them battle it out to only love one another in the end. Jeanne’s time in this world has come to an end but her memories will live forever in our hearts. All of us who watched her and loved her will never forget the wonderful, lovable Mrs. C.

The last scene with Jess and jeanne says it all. You could hear in Jess’s voice, it was so much more than acting.

Oh Jess.

You have my deepest sympathy. I know you and Jeanne were the closest of friends in real life.

Beautifully stated Jess.

Such beautiful words from Jess, I knew that scene at the stairs was her last scene because I could see the pain in Jess’s eyes. I said that is not acting that is both of them saying good bye to their working relationship and preparing for a good bye for now in the coming months. I watched it several times and teared up every time. I cant imagine how hard it will be for Jess to come to work each day with her friend and co-worker not there. We the fans support you and will never forget Jeanne, Mrs C the Dutchess and when we see Jill on our screens we will also think of her and of Jess. Thank you for sharing your words with us during this difficult time. HUGS

I also want to point out that it was the perfect scene for it to be her last because it was just her and Jess and that is so very fitting and I couldn’t think of a better ending.

With a very heavy heart, I say R.I.P. As a very long-time viewer of Y&R, I’m so sad . May the family know just what a gem you shared with us over the years

Jess Walton –

“Good Lord” – “her’s was the face I wanted to see.” Tears… emotionally choked up here.

Respect for her tour de force… it was her nature… in her being… to stand with.

What a presence to share and know.

Your time with family in Oregon…. is yours.

you’re a part of ours and we’re with you. Thank You Jess.

General Hospital

Tristan Riggs is General Hospital’s New Aiden

Looks like there is another new actor in the younger set on General Hospital. Tristan Riggs is taking over the role of Elizabeth Webber’s (Rebecca Herbst) son, Aiden.

Previously, Enzo De Angelis played the part of Liz and Lucky’s (formerly Jonathan Jackson) son since 2021. Soap Opera Digest confirmed that Riggs is now firmly in the part.

The switch happened on today’s Thursday May 2nd episode in scenes. Recently, Aiden came out as gay to him mom after admitting his interest in one of his classmates.

Photo: ABC

As Riggs begins in the part, it looks like Aiden is being bullied at school. Elizabeth is trying to get to the bottom of things and made an appointment with school counselors to find out what’s going on, after seeing his book bag had pink paint on it.

Riggs has been acting since he was 7-year-0ld and has appeared on the TV series Walker, True Lies and Best Foot Forward to name a few.

So, what do you think of Tristan Riggs as the new Aiden? Do you hope Aiden’s story becomes more front and center? Comment below.

Continue Reading

Interviews

(WATCH) B&B’s Katherine Kelly Lang and Annika Noelle Talk Lead Actress Emmy Nominations and Brooke and Hope’s Mother/Daughter Relationship

Two of The Bold and the Beautiful’s leading ladies, Katherine Kelly Lang (Brooke) and Annika Noelle (Hope), are in the running for the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series at the upcoming 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

Original series star Lang, along with Noelle, play mother and daughter on the series, which makes for an interesting dynamic on-screen and off. For Katherine, this marks her fourth Daytime Emmy Acting nomination. She previously won a producer Emmy for Venice the Series, and for Annika, this is her first Lead Actress nomination after previously scoring a nod in the Supporting Actress category.

On B&B, Brooke and Hope have had a rocky road this past year, with Brooke disapproving of Hope giving into her feelings and desires for Thomas (Matthew Atkinson), and the dissolution of her marriage to Liam (Scott Clifton). Meanwhile, Hope watched Brooke have marital troubles with Ridge (Thorsten Kaye), in part to Taylor (Krista Allen), only for her to win him back.

Photo: HutchinsPhoto

The two actresses chatted with Michael Fairman for an exclusive livestream interview this week on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where they shared their thoughts, reactions and scenes from their nominated reels, how they see the current climate between Brooke and Hope, and much more. Below are some excerpts from the conversation.

Katherine, what are your thoughts on getting a Lead Actress nomination as this point in your career?

KATHERINE: I think it’s great. I was so happy to be nominated. It was unexpected, but I was really happy about it.  Of course, I think everybody wants to be nominated, or get an Emmy at some point in their life, especially if they’ve been on a show for a very long time and you put a lot of work in. You do many, many scenes and hopefully, good enough scenes to be able to be nominated, and get in into the running. But yes, it’s hard to me. It’s hard every time when it comes around. I get anxiety whenever Emmy-time comes around.

Photo: JPI

What scenes were on both of your nominated reels?

KATHERINE: I just submitted the two back to back shows that I had between Brooke and Taylor (Krista Allen). It was when their relationship came to an end because they became friends, which was really nice. They swore off Ridge, which was great, and they had a nice relationship for a little while. But then, Brooke finally realized Taylor still had her sights on Ridge and this wasn’t going to work. So, she ended the relationship with Taylor. At that point, she really had it with Taylor, because she really trusted her and she really liked their friendship. She was shocked to find out what Taylor was still doing and how she still wanted Ridge in the end. And so for Brooke, there was no going back after that.

Photo: JPI

ANNIKA: My reel launched into Hope’s denial of “I’m nothing like you, mom. I have a solid marriage.” Cut to Liam confronting her about what happened in Rome and the choices that were made there. And then Brooke walking in on her and Thomas together and mother/daughter going toe to toe, and then finally kind of wrapping it up with Hope just coming into her own and just not being so swayed by other people’s choices.

Is it difficult for you to chose to enter into the Daytime Emmy race?

KATHERINE: I don’t want to do a competition, because we do this for a living, because we love it. I think if you don’t love it, you won’t be here for very long. So, it just feels weird in a way that it has to be a judging where everybody’s judged against each other.  I don’t like that feeling because I like it all to be about family, which it is. Sometimes in a competition it can get kind of of strange. So to me, the prize is just coming to work every single day, getting to work with wonderful people like Annika, everybody in the office, the producers, the writers, the directors, the crew, and just working with everybody. It’s wonderful how we all work so well together and just being able to do something that I love to do every single day and play this character of Brooke on a TV show on CBS.

ANNIKA: I would have never thought in a million years you would get anxious from it. For me, it’s very obvious that I get very anxious.

Photo: JPI

Katherine, what do you recall about Annika when you first met her and then shared scenes with her, after having Kim Matula as her predecessor in the part?

KATHERINE: Honestly, it was super easy to work with Annika. She just fell right into the character. I loved her immediately and her energy. Actually, I got to read with her. I loved her, even then in the reading. I was kind of mesmerized with her, like her eyes. She’s very innocent, open face, and you can feel her. I loved Kim Matula, too, who played Hope before Annika, and there was a little time between them. It was nice that they didn’t recast somebody right away, because that’s always kind of shocking. You want to give it a little time, and for the audience to accept it and to find somebody new and bring them on. People come and go andyou have to kind of go with the flow.

Annika, what was your first impression upon meeting Katherine?

ANNIKA: Oh, I understood that this was the legend who had been on the show since the beginning. I think you were my second callback. I think the first one I read with Scott Clifton (Liam). When they called me back again and they had me read with you, I remember I just opened the doors and she was just  standing there. I was like, “Oh, Gosh. Okay. I’m reading with Katherine Kelly Lang.” She was very professional, knew her lines like back and forth, and she was saying the lines as if she was really the character. It wasn’t even like acting. That’s how good she is.

Photo: JPI

Where do you think Brooke and Hope’s relationship is at now?

ANNIKA: Brooke and Hope have maybe ironed out some misunderstandings. I think there’s still that little bit of Hope’s baggage or just unresolved trauma, or she needs to go see a psychiatrist about not wanting to become like her mother. I think she acted out in a lot of ways within the Thomas storyline.

KATHERINE: Brooke wasn’t happy with Hope and Thomas. She didn’t approve. Brooke’s a little bit more relieved and doesn’t have to deal with that pressure and can get back to the relationship with her daughter. I think they’re really good friends and I think they have a good understanding of each other and their positions within this relationship. I think it’s only going to get stronger and better, when they realize that they are two powerhouses together.

Photo: JPI

Remember when Brooke and Thomas had their psychedelic berry trip and we didn’t know if they slept together?

ANNIKA: I try not to think about it. (Laughs)

KATHERINE: Well, I loved it! I almost have to say that was my favorite fun story. In it, our plane crashed in the ocean and this was a huge production. They had made a pool inside a hangar, and then the pool was full with broken plane pieces, and we are sputtering up out of the water. It was dark and misty, they had the smoke, everything. It looked like a movie. So, we got to do that which was so much fun. When we were stranded on the island, we actually shot those scenes in Malibu. But, they also made a huge deserted island on set. It was humongous. It almost took up the whole stage, and that’s when Brooke and Thomas were high on berries, and the flowers would come out of the the cave. There were a lot of CGI effects. It was crazy and incredible. Adam Gregory was playing Thomas then, and we had a lot of fun. We never knew if Thomas and Brooke actually did it or not, but then it turned out they didn’t, because they realized it was like something in a dream.

ANNIKA: We like to keep things vague.

Photo: JPI

The show, at times, likes to pull out the classic line, “Slut from the Valley.” How do you feel about your character being called that when it was originated by Stephanie Forrester, who used to dig at Brooke?

KATHERINE: Do I mind, “Slut from the Valley?” I didn’t mind it when Stephanie (Susan Flannery) would say it, but I kind of mind it when other people say it.  I thought that was Stephanie’s line, and that should just come from her.

Photo: JPI

Annika, one of the hottest topics on B&B’s fans mind in our live chat, is when Thomas returns from Paris, will he and Hope rekindle their relationship or is it truly over?

ANNIKA: I’m just as in the dark as everyone else about what is to come with that. So, I’m kind of waiting on pins and needles to see if we revisit it, or if Thomas has moved on. I’m just so curious to see what is to come. I think we’re going to find out very soon.

Check out the full video interview with Katherine and Annika below. Now let us know, do you enjoy the mother/daughter scenes between Brooke and Hope as played by Katherine and Annika? Are you rooting for one of them to win the Daytime Emmy for Lead Actress? What do you think will happen in the future for Brooke and for Hope? Weigh-in below.

Continue Reading

General Hospital

Juliet Donenfeld is the Temporary Recast as General Hospital’s Georgie

Those who saw the GH preview for today’s May 2nd episode were a bit confused when they saw a young actress sitting with Lois (Rena Sofer) and Violet (Jophielle Love). As it turns out, that young girl is a recast Georgie.

Juliet Donenfeld is stepping into the role temporarily replacing Lily Fisher. As viewers know, Georgie is the young daughter of Maxie (Kirsten Storms) and Spinelli (Bradford Anderson) named after Maxie’s sister, Georgie who passed away.

According to Soap Opera News, Fisher will be back soon in the part.

As for Donenfeld’s credits, she has appeared as JJ in the Netflix’s WWE series The Big Show Show,  Better Call Saul, Good Girls, Station 19, and Sydney to the Max to name but a few.

In addition, Juliet became the youngest nominee for an Annie Award, gaining recognition for voicing the character of Sally Squirrel in the Animated TV/Broadcast Production of Pete the Cat.

Watch today’s GH teaser below, and let us know your thoughts about Juliet as a recast Georgie via the comment section below.

Continue Reading

Video Du Jour

Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

Recent Comments

Power Performance

Eileen Davidson as Ashley

The Young and the Restless

Airdate: 4-12-2024

Popular