TV Fans Heartbroken as Sistas and The Young and the Restless Star Dee Freeman Dies

So, some sad news for longtime TV fans: Dolores 'Dee' Freeman, whose credits thread through everything from classic sitcoms to prime-time soaps, has died at 66. If you were an ABC sitcom watcher in the '90s, you might remember her popping up on 'Coach.' Or maybe you know her from the endless saga that is 'The Young and the Restless.' Either way, her career left its mark all over the TV landscape.

Dee Freeman: More Than Just a Familiar Face

Freeman's family broke the news on Instagram, making it official that she passed away on April 2, 2026, after fighting cancer. Their message was heartfelt and pretty direct:
'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...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.'

Background and Career Highlights

• Early Years: Freeman was born in Louisiana in 1959. Not your average Hollywood start—she actually served in the United States Marine Corps before getting into acting. Considering the drama in both careers, the switch almost makes sense.
• Soap Opera Roots: If you caught 'The Young and the Restless,' there's a good chance you saw her in action there. That's probably the role most fans connect her to.
• Sitcoms & Guest Spots: She made her TV debut on ABC's 'Coach,' and her resume kept growing. She showed up in 'Shameless,' grabbed a guest spot on 'NCIS: Los Angeles,' and made plenty of other TV appearances over the years.
• Last TV Role: You could also catch her in a recent episode of Tyler Perry's 'Sistas.' So, if you thought she’d left the business, she really hadn’t.
• A Writer, Too: At the time of her death, Freeman was reportedly working on turning her one-woman show 'Poison Gun' into a novel. So, not just a performer—she had plenty more creative plans in motion.

Words from Her Publicist

Dee's publicist, Desirae L. Benson, didn’t hold back her admiration. Benson described Freeman as someone who managed to be both strong and graceful (not a combo you see every day in showbiz), adding that even when facing stage 4 lung cancer, she showed up 'with courage and dignity.' According to Benson, Dee Freeman's influence wasn’t just about her work but about the way she made people feel—something friends and colleagues aren’t likely to forget anytime soon.

Legacy

Tributes have been rolling in ever since the news came out. Freeman’s legacy is a mix of memorable performances, personal resilience, and apparently, a ton of respect from everyone who worked with her. Not many can say that about their time in Hollywood.