Emmy winner Jeanne Cooper (Katherine Chancellor) is in critical but stable condition in the intensive care unit of a Los Angeles area hospital due to an undisclosed medical condition that has been said to be an infection by friends of the actress.
Cooper's son, actor/director Corbin Bernsen, took to social media on Friday night to ask for prayers for his mother.
"Need some prayers for my mom tonight. Pretty rough. Won't elaborate now, but I believe there's still more purpose for her on this journey, but that's not my call. I love her so much. I want peace for her," Bernsen wrote. "I hope this is okay to share with all of you who know and love her, you are my friends and in a sense part of my family and community. We talk openly and honestly about a great many things and you have no idea how much comfort it gives me. Know that she's resting peacefully and this is not a message meant to announce finality, not at all, but instead, ask you to have her in you thoughts through the night."
Cooper's fans, friends, costars, and loved ones took to Twitter, Facebook, and other forms of communication to send their wishes for a speedy recovery to the legendary actress. The Young and the Restless' Daniel Goddard (Cane Ashby) and Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren Fenmore) both announced via Twitter that they had visited Cooper in the hospital.
"Jeanne Cooper is still in ICU and is stable yet sedated," Goddard said in his update.
"Love you Jeanne," Bregman said on Twitter, along with a photo of herself with Cooper and Christian LeBlanc (Michael Baldwin). "Praying for you big time!"
"Our thoughts, prayers and love are with Jeanne Cooper and her family as she rests and recovers," Angelica McDaniel, head of CBS Daytime, shared on Twitter.
"Prayers, light, and love to Jeanne Cooper for a speedy recuperation," Soap Central posted on its official Twitter feed.
On Saturday, Bernsen offered an update, comparing his feisty mother to the greatest boxers.
"All continues to be stable this morning. Still, hurdles in upcoming hours, but this woman I have been so incredibly fortunate to call my mother, my mentor and honestly my inspiration.... suffice to say the greatest boxers of all time aren't half the fighter she is. I'm just wowed by her tenacity and her sheer will. So many of you have noted that. It's truly awesome," Bernsen said. "I don't know how the day and the days ahead will play out, but I have faith, and between her fight and your -- I'm at a loss for the right word here - miraculous, magnificent? -- support, I'm once again overwhelmed by our potential and humanity. [..] I'll keep you posted throughout the day. But PLEASE keep her in your thoughts... and make sure today to tell the ones you love, that you DO love them. Hold close to you those you love. And perhaps even take a day to forgive and heal friendships and cross divides. You have no idea how powerful your good thoughts are and what can come of using them for goodness and grace. I'm going to whisper into my mom's ear today and let her know of your support. Asleep or awake, I know that she'll smile, that wicked little smile that is only hers!"
In 2011, Cooper took a brief medical leave from the show while she battled what she later referred to as "a nasty bug." Earlier this year, Cooper and much of the cast of The Young and the Restless was hit hard by the flu.
Jeanne Cooper joined the cast of The Young and the Restless in 1973 and quickly established herself as a force in daytime television. Cooper was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2004 Daytime Emmys. Four years later, Cooper won the Outstanding Lead Actress trophy and issued her memorable quip, "Oh, dear. High definition or not high definition. I tell ya, it's a bitch, isn't it?"
In addition to her Emmy win, Cooper has nine other Daytime Emmy nominations.
Cooper also received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 1993.
Tuesday, April 16 "Just heard HUGE progress with my mom today," Bersen wrote. "Breathing apparatus has been removed so now on to [the] underlying issues. Your prayers are healing!"
Wednesday, April 17
"Just saw a photo of my mom-half smiling and wearing her big sunglasses. I've also heard she's been saying something to the effect of ‘get me the hell outta here!,' Suffice to say, I haven't stopped crying since. A huge release," Bernsen shared on Facebook. "I know we aren't out of the woods, I've been told that over and over and yes, I know at any single instant, life can change – we all witnessed that in Boston in the most horrific way, lives changed and lost in an instant."
