Kay Chancellor

Katherine Chancellor
Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor
The Young and the Restless character
Portrayed by	Jeanne Cooper (1973–2013) Beverly Garland (1981) Gisele MacKenzie (1986) Michael Learned (2011)
Duration	1973–2013
First appearance	November 1973 (November 1973)
Last appearance	September 4, 2013 (September 4, 2013)
Introduced by	William J. Bell
Crossover appearances	The Bold and the Beautiful, Guiding Light
Classification	Former, regular
Profile
Other names	Katherine Shepherd Kay Chancellor Kay Sterling
Occupation	Author, businesswoman, philanthropist
Family Chancellor Father Walter Shepherd Husband Gary Reynolds (1950–60) Phillip Chancellor II (1961–75) Derek Thurston (1978–81) Rex Sterling (1988–90, 1992–94) Patrick Murphy (2009–13) Sons Brock Reynolds Tucker McCall Grandsons Devon Hamilton Granddaughters Mackenzie Browning Other relatives D.J. Hellstrom Ashley Abbott (godchild) Victoria Newman (godchild) Chloe Mitchell (godchild)

Katherine Chancellor is a fictional character from the CBS Daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Jeanne Cooper. Created and introduced by show creator, William J. Bell in November 1973; Cooper's Katherine was introduced in an effort to increase the show's struggling ratings. When Bell's plan proved successful, Cooper was signed to a contract. Cooper went on to become the longest-running cast member in the show's history ending her nearly 40-year run on May 3, 2013, five days before her death.

Throughout Katherine's history, a majority of her storylines have focused on her controversial and chaotic relationship with Jill Abbott. The feud is one of the longest-running feuds in the history of American soap operas. The rivalry was ignited by Jill's affair with Katherine's husband, Phillip Chancellor II, and how Katherine's attempt to win back his affections leads to his death. After Phillip's death, the women fight over Jill and Phillip's son, Phillip III, as well as numerous other men including Katherine's husband, Rex Sterling. A 2003 plot twist leads to Katherine and Jill believing they are mother and daughter; however, this plot is undone in 2009 by head writer, Maria Arena Bell and Katherine is given another son, Tucker McCall, instead of a daughter.

Cooper is regarded as an icon of the genre, with some critics believing her character and performance are chiefly responsible for the soap opera's success and longevity. She is also famed for having her own facelift performed onscreen in 1984, as Katherine gets the same procedure within the story. It is referred to as daytime television's first "extreme makeover."

The character was introduced by Bell, after he was disappointed with the series' weak ratings, and hired Cooper as a quick fix to add controversy to the storylines. In 2010, Cooper said she was called in by producer John Conboy for the role, who thought she was "such a good actress" and "hoped she would be interested in daytime". The actress signed a three-year contract and expected to depart after its expiration, but became a crucial character.Beverly Garland substituted for Cooper in the role in January 1981 for a few days when she fell ill. Gisele MacKenzie briefly substituted for Cooper for six episodes in August 1986. Cooper also appeared as Katherine on The Bold and the Beautiful for two episodes on October 31 and November 1, 2005, respectively. In 2005, Cooper was awarded with the Daytime Emmy Award for Lifetime Achievement. In 2008, after several years of being nominated, Cooper received the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actress. In 1989, Cooper won Soap Opera Digest's Editor's Award along with the award for Outstanding Lead Actress. In October 2011, it was announced Cooper had taken a medical leave, and the role was temporarily recast with Michael Learned. Shortly after, it was announced Cooper had returned to work, reclaiming the role on December 23, 2011. Cooper's final appearance as Katherine aired on May 3, 2013, five days before her death. A CGI version of Cooper in the role later appeared on September 4, 2013.