Freeman appeared on countless other shows throughout her career, including “Pretty the Series,” “Seinfeld,” “Kenan & Kel,” and Tyler Perry’s recent “Sistas.”

Dee Freeman, The Young and the Restless and *ER *actress, dies at 66 after lung cancer diagnosis

Freeman appeared on countless other shows throughout her career, including "Pretty the Series," "Seinfeld," "Kenan & Kel," and Tyler Perry's recent "Sistas."

By Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel

Wesley Stenzel is a news writer at **. He began writing for EW in 2022.

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April 4, 2026 1:18 p.m. ET

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Dee Freeman in Burbank in 2019. Credit:

Paul Archuleta/Getty

Dee Freeman, a character actress who appeared on shows like *The Young and the Restless* and *ER*, has died. She was 66.

The actress' publicist, Desirae L. Benson, confirmed the news to * *on Saturday. Freeman's family paid tribute to the actress in an Instagram post on Friday.

"On behalf of her family, it is with deepest sadness that we share this update with you," the post read. "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."

Dee Freeman in New York City in 2013.

D Dipasupil/FilmMagic

Freeman appeared on*The Young and the Restless *as a nurse in a 1997 episode and again as a nurse in two episodes in 2009. She also acted in 24 episodes of the comedy show *Pretty the Series* between 2010 and 2015. She most recently appeared in the Tyler Perry show *Sistas *in January.

Born in Louisiana in 1959, Freeman joined the Marines before becoming an actress. She made her screen debut in a 1995 episode of the sitcom *Coach *and appeared on shows like *Party of Five* and *3rd Rock from the Sun* the following year. Later in the 1990s, she had roles in episodes of *Seinfeld*, *Caroline in the City*, *Suddenly Susan*, *Kenan & Kel*, *The Gregory Hines Show*, *Silk Stalkings*, and *Rude Awakenings*. She also landed parts in movies like *Red Meat,* starring Lara Flynn Boyle and *The Landlady,* starring Talia Shire.

In the 2000s, Freeman acted on shows like *The X-Files*, *Six Feet Under*, *The Shield*, *Bones*, *Dexter*, *Boston Public*, and *Cold Case*. She portrayed Dr. Lutz on two episodes of *ER* in 2002. Her movie credits in the aughts included *My Baby's Daddy*, *Reservations*, and *Freezer Burn*.

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Freeman later appeared on *NCIS Los Angeles*, *Shameless*, *Brothers & Sisters*, and *Reasonable Doubt*. Her last credit was for Tyler Perry's recent BET series *Sistas*, in which she portrayed Valerie Barnes, the mother of KJ Smith Black's Andi.

A veteran stage actress with more than 80 productions under her belt, Freeman starred in a one-woman show, *Poison Gun*, inspired by her family history. At the time of her death, she was working on adapting *Poison Gun* into a novel.

Dee Freeman in New York City in 2012.

Wendell Teodoro/WireImage

"Dee wasn’t just my client — she was someone I truly respected and admired," Benson said in a statement shared with **. "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."

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Freeman is survived by her two children, Amber and Shane; her mother, Leona; her brothers James, Lamar, Bryant, and Fred; and her sisters Dorthey and Linda.

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