About
"Nothing is more difficult than this medium [daytime drama] and making it work, whether you're a technician or whether you're an actor. You'd better be ready to move, learn, develop, and perform. It doesn't need anything less. And the ones who prosper in this media are the ones who have done exactly that."
In her three-hour interview, Jeanne Cooper (1928-2013) talks about her early TV career making guest appearances on The Twilight Zone, M Squad, The Man From U.N.C.L.E, 77 Sunset Strip, and Perry Mason, and appearing as a regular on Bracken's World. She details her over 30-year tenure as The Young and the Restless' "Katherine 'Kay' Chancellor," speaking candidly about the impact the show has had both on herself, and on its loyal audience. She discusses several of her character's storylines over the years, outlines production on the show, and illustrates how The Young and the Restless has tackled sticky subjects like alcoholism and plastic surgery. Cooper also describes her experience working with her son, Corbin Bernsen, on L.A. Law, and recalls her Daytime Emmy win. Nancy Wiard conducted the interview on December 2, 2009 in North Hollywood, CA.
Highlights
Jeanne Cooper on the development and evolution of her character "Katherine Chancellor" on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on Bill Bell's and Lee Philip Bell's inspirations for The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on advice received about working on a daytime drama
Jeanne Cooper on the subject of plastic surgery on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the impact of daytime television
Full Interview
Chapter 1
On her childhood and early influences
On her first professional role as an actress; on her name change to Jeanne Cooper
On her first acting appearance on television; on working on live television
On her acquaintance with Howard Hughes
On working on Western series and the evolution of working in television
On working on suspense and detective series: 77 Sunset Strip, Perry Mason, M Squad
On special memories from The Man from U.N.C.L.E.
On her experience working on The Twilight Zone
Chapter 2
On Bracken's World and Ben Casey; on her first Emmy nomination
On type casting; on the casting process; on managing a busy work schedule
On The Young and the Restless and her character "Katherine Chancellor"
Chapter 3
On working with the cast and crew of The Young and the Restless
On the production process and a normal day working on the set of The Young and the Restless
On learning dialogue; on the rehearsal process and shooting schedule for The Young and the Restless
On advice she received about working on daytime drama
On major story points over the years on The Young and the Restless: lesbianism, plastic surgery, "Katherine Chancellor's" relationship with "Rex Sterling," and playing the dual roles of "Katherine" and "Marge"
On storylines she would like to see for "Katherine Chancellor" on The Young and the Restless
On her role on L.A. Law; on working with her son, Corbin Bernsen, and on their Emmy nominations
On receiving her Daytime Emmy Award and the highlights of her career
On advice she would give someone starting out in acting on a daytime drama today
On how she would like to be remembered
Shows
Ben Casey
Jeanne Cooper on working on Ben Casey
Bonanza
Jeanne Cooper on working on Bonanza, Maverick and The Adventures of Kit Carson
Bracken's World
Jeanne Cooper on working on Bracken's World
Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)
Jeanne Cooper on her first Emmy-nominated role on Ben Casey for "But Linda Only Smiled"
L.A. Law
Jeanne Cooper on her role on L.A Law and working with her son, Corbin Bernsen
Perry Mason (1957-66)
Jeanne Cooper on working on detective series, Perry Mason
Playhouse 90
Jeanne Cooper on working on Playhouse 90
Twilight Zone, The
Jeanne Cooper on working on The Twilight Zone
Young and the Restless, The
Jeanne Cooper on working on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on her work with The Young and the Restless spanning 36 years
Topics
Characters & Catchphrases
Jeanne Cooper on the development and evolution of her character "Katherine Chancellor" on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the subject of "Katherine Chancellor's" plastic surgery on The Young and the Restless
Emmy Awards
Jeanne Cooper on her first Emmy-nominated role on Ben Casey for "But Linda Only Smiled"
Jeanne Cooper on her and son Corbin Bernsen's Emmy nominations for their work on L.A. Law and on her Daytime Emmy
Memorable Moments on Television
Jeanne Cooper on fond memories of working with Morey Amsterdam
Television Industry
Jeanne Cooper on receiving her Lifetime Achievement Award from the Academy; on highlights of her career working in television
Professions
Actress
Jeanne Cooper on type casting
Jeanne Cooper on managing a busy work schedule
Jeanne Cooper on the development and evolution of her character "Katherine Chancellor" on The Young and the Restless
Genres
Cop/Detective/Mystery Series
Jeanne Cooper on working on suspense and detective series
Jeanne Cooper on working on L.A. Law with her son Corbin Bernsen
Daytime/Primetime Serials
Jeanne Cooper on working on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the cast and crew of The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the production process for The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on learning dialogue; on the rehearsal process and shooting schedule for The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the subject of plastic surgery on The Young and the Restless
Jeanne Cooper on the challenges of playing dual roles on The Young and the Restless
Drama Series
Jeanne Cooper on the show Bracken's World
Medical Dramas
Jeanne Cooper on the medical show, Ben Casey
Western Series
Jeanne Cooper on working on Western series television
People
Kay Alden
Jeanne Cooper on Kay Alden's contribution to The Young and the Restless
Morey Amsterdam
Jeanne Cooper on fond memories of working with Morey Amsterdam
Lee Phillip Bell
Jeanne Cooper On Bill Bell's and Lee Philip Bell's inspirations and influences for The Young and the Restless
Lauralee Bell
Jeanne Cooper on working with actress Lauralee Bell on The Young and the Restless
William Bell
Jeanne Cooper On Bill Bell's and Lee Philip Bell's inspirations and influences for The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden
Jeanne Cooper on working with actor Eric Braeden on The Young and the Restless
Eddie Cantor
Jeanne Cooper on working with Eddie Cantor on Playhouse 90
John Conboy
Jeanne Cooper on working with producer John Conboy and her introduction to daytime television
Jeanne Cooper on advice received from John Conboy about working on a daytime drama
Howard Hughes
Jeanne Cooper on her acquaintance with Howard Hughes
Julianna McCarthy
Jeanne Cooper on working with actress Julianna McCarthy on The Young and the Restless
Leslie Nielsen
Jeanne Cooper on working with Leslie Nielsen
Maureen O'Hara
Jeanne Cooper on working with Maureen O'Hara in The Redhead from Wyoming
Eleanor Parker
Jeanne Cooper on working with Eleanor Parker
Paul Rauch
Jeanne Cooper on working with producer Paul Rauch on The Young and the Restless
Melody Thomas Scott
Jeanne Cooper on working with actress Melody Thomas Scott on The Young and the Restless
Rod Serling
Jeanne Cooper on her friendship with Rod Serling