Former The Young and the Restless star Marla Adams has sadly passed away at the age of 85. She played the role of Dina Abbott Mergeron starting in 1982, making her last appearance in 2020. Yet, her career was filled with so much more than just the soap. Keep reading for all of the details.
The Young and the Restless Marla Adams Dead At 85
Marla Adams left her mark on the soap world playing Dina Abbott Mergeron on The Young and the Restless. This role garnered her a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress. However, she had a lengthy career that started in 1961 with Splendor in the Grass. She played the role of June alongside the iconic Natalie Wood. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the first role that solidified her in daytime was as Belle Clemens on The Secret Storm. Marla began in 1968 and remained until the series was canceled in 1974.
As for Y&R, she had just a three-year contract when she began but would come back in the nineties. However, Sally Sussman, the head writer and producer, wanted Marla to reprise her role in 2017. Marla recalled the conversation:
“I remember when [Sussman told her], ‘I’m going to bring you back on The Young and the Restless, but you’ve got Alzheimer’s,’ and I said, ‘What!? You’re bringing me back so you can kill me off?’ And she said, ‘Oh no, it’ll be about a year.’ That dissolved into four years.”
That heartbreaking story garnered her that very special Daytime Emmy with Marla saying this:
“From all the characters I’ve played, from The Secret Storm to Broadway, this has been the most astonishing, amazing part I’ve had the privilege to play.”
It seems that Marla Adams truly loved her Y&R family and the story that they gave her. Born in August 1938, she studied for two years at The American Academy of Dramatic Arts. On the day she graduated from The Academy, she landed a role in The Visit.
“I played Alfred Lunt’s daughter, and I thought, ‘Well, it’s going to be downhill from here.’”
Of course, as she would later learn, it was all uphill with amazing characters to play and an Emmy to be won.
Mourning Marla
Marla Adams has already left an imprint in the hearts of The Young and the Restless world. EP and head writer, Josh Griffith released a statement:
“On behalf of the entire company of The Young and the Restless, we send our deepest sympathies to Marla’s family. We’re so grateful and in awe of Marla’s incredible performance as Dina Mergeron as both Marla and Dina made an unforgettable mark on [the show].”
She leaves behind two children, Gunnar and Pam as well as grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone. Marla Adams was also a great-grandmother to great-grandson, Remi. May she rest in peace and her memory be a blessing.
Do you have fond memories of Marla Adams? Let us know in the comments below.
