The Young and the Restless actress Marla Adams has passed away

Marla Adams has passed away

Earlier today it was announced that Meg Bennett, who portrayed Julia Newman on The Young and the Restless, had passed away at 75. This evening, soap fans are mourning the loss of another Y&R cast member Marla Adams, who played Dina Abbott Mergeron for 37 years on ther CBS series Adams passed away Thursday in Los Angeles at 85, but no cause of her death has been given.

Dina's family

Dina was married to John Abbott ( Jerry Douglas), and they had two children, Jack Abbott ( Peter Bergman) and Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland). In later years it was revealed that Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson) was not John's biological daughter. Billy Abbott ( Jason Thompson) is John's son with Jill Abbott ( Jess Walton).

Dina with Alzheimer's Disease

Adams was praised for her work portraying Dina realistically with Alzheimer's Disease. She stabbed Nikki Newman (Melody Scott Thomas) with a fork, stole silverware from a restaurant, and set a fire at The Underground.

She also kidnapped Christian Newman because she thought he was her little boy Jackie and mistook her adult son Jack for his father John. She also did not realize Traci was her daughter in her last days. Adams was in the role until the character died in 2020.

Adams had many roles

The soap vet also appeared on The Secret Storm, as Belle Clemens Britton Kincaid and portrayed Myrna Clegg on Capitol. She was Helen Mullin on Generations and played Beth Logan on The Bold and the Beautiful. She also was in the role of Claire McIntire on Days of Our Lives.

She has appeared on over 40 television series, including Barnaby Jones, Hill Street Blues, Emergency, The Golden Girls, Hart to Hart, and The Love Boat. She was in the feature films Beneath the Leaves and Splendor in the Grass ( as June opposite Natalie Wood) and was the First Lady in the television film The President's Men.

Marla Adams began on Broadway

Adams was born in Ocean City, New Jersey, on August 28, 1938, and was a winner of the Miss Ocean City and Miss Cape May pageants. She was also a runner-up in the Miss New Jersey pageant and during the 1954 celebration of the 75th anniversary of Ocean City's founding she was the Miss Diamond Jubilee Queen.

She was a student at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and appeared on Broadway in the 1958 production of The Visit at the Morosco Theatre with Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.

The Young and the Restless days

Marla Adams began appearing as Dina Abbott Mergeron on The Young and the Restless in 1982. She was on and off in the role for decades, returning full-time in 2017. Adams was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her role as Dina in 2018, and won the award in 2021.

In an interview with Michael Fairman, the actress shared a note she received in flowers from Y&R after her run as Dina was over.

“Thank you for bringing the amazing force that is Abbott matriarch, Dina Mergeron to countless fans of The Young and the Restless. Your vast contribution to Y&R and CBS for more than five decades is unparalleled. We are forever grateful for all you’ve brought to Y&R as both a consummate professional and a cherished co-worker. All our best wishes.”

Marla Adams is survived by a son, Gunnar Garat, a daughter, Pam Oates, grandchildren, Gefjon and Stone, and a great-grandson, Remi. There are no plans available about a funeral or memorial service at this time.