Marla Adams, who played Dina Abbott on 'The Young and the Restless,' dead at 85
Marla Adams, best known for her role as matriarch Dina Abbott Mergeron on the soap opera "The Young and The Restless," has died. She was 85.
Adams died Thursday in Los Angeles, according to an obituary shared by a representative for "The Young and the Restless." A cause of death was not given.
USA TODAY has reached out to a representative for Adams for comment.
Following appearances on stage and screen, including a 1958 production of "The Visit" on Broadway and the 1961 Natalie Wood drama "Splendor in the Grass," Adams became a fixture on daytime TV with roles on "General Hospital" and "The Secret Storm."
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In 1983, Adams landed the role of Mergeron on CBS' "The Young and the Restless," playing the mother of siblings Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland) and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman). The actress went on to have a 37-year stint on the romantic drama, appearing on and off on the series and returning full time in 2017.
Adams was nominated for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series at the 2018 Daytime Emmy Awards and won the prize at the 2021 ceremony.
"On behalf of the entire company of 'The Young and the Restless,' we send our deepest sympathies to Marla's family," said Josh Griffith, executive producer and head writer on "The Young and the Restless," in a statement. "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 'Y&R.' "
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In addition to "The Young and the Restless," Adams also made appearances on marquee soap operas "The Bold and the Beautiful," "Days of our Lives," "Generations" and "Capitol."
Adams is survived by her children, daughter Pam Oates and son Gunnar Garat.