Marla Adams, the beloved actress known for her iconic role as Dina Abbott Mergeron on CBS’ long-running show “The Young and the Restless,” passed away on Thursday in Los Angeles. The news of her passing was shared by Matt Kane, the director of media and talent for the show. Marla Adams was 85 years old at the time of her death.
In 1968, Adams embarked on her career in the world of daytime drama with her role as Belle Clemens on “The Secret Storm.” This marked the beginning of a successful journey that would lead her to join the cast of “The Young and the Restless” in 1982. In this beloved soap opera, she portrayed the character of Dina Abbott Mergeron, the matriarch of the Abbott family. Dina arrived in Genoa City with the intention of reconnecting with her estranged family and became the onscreen mother to Ashley Abbott (Eileen Davidson), Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland), and Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman).
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Actress Adams made sporadic appearances on the show “Y&R” over the years before returning permanently in 2017. Her character’s storyline involved battling Alzheimer’s disease, for which Adams won a Daytime Emmy Award in 2021.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to Marla’s family on behalf of the entire company of ‘The Young and the Restless,’” expressed Josh Griffith, producer and head writer of the show. In an official statement, he further added, “Marla’s portrayal of Dina Mergeron left an indelible impression on ‘Y&R,’ and we are truly grateful for her remarkable performance. Both Marla and her character, Dina, will be forever cherished in the show’s history.”
Throughout her career, Adams appeared in over 40 productions. These included popular shows such as “The Bold and the Beautiful,” “Days of our Lives,” “The Golden Girls,” “Hart to Hart,” and “The Love Boat.” She also made an appearance in the feature film “Beneath the Leaves.”
Adams leaves behind a lasting legacy, carried on by her children Pam Oates and Gunnar Garat, as well as her beloved grandchildren and great-grandson.
