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Not Young, Still Restless: A Memoir
The long-awaited memoir from one of daytime television's most celebrated and beloved actresses.
Three or four days a week, Jeanne Cooper drives from her Hollywood Hills home to the job she's held for more than three decades: bringing life to the character of Katherine Chancellor, the outspoken, powerful, and insanely wealthy force of nature who, along with Jeanne herself, has become a legend in the world of daytime television and its number-one show, The Young and the Restless.
Now, for the first time, her fans will get to know the woman behind the iconic character. With her signature fearlessness, honesty, and humor, Jeanne chronicles her long tenure in Hollywood and describes her life before, during, and away from the CBS soundstage.
Not Young, Still Restless follows Jeanne as she makes her way from small-town Taft, California, to the heart of the Los Angeles movie industry, where the list of her feature-film costars reads like a Who's Who of Hollywood's Golden Age—Maureen O'Hara, Raymond Burr, David Janssen, Robert Taylor, Tony Curtis, Shelley Winters, Glenn Ford, and Lee J. Cobb, to name just a few. Jeanne writes vividly of her first foray into the new phenomenon of television and how she found her home at The Young and the Restless.
Jeanne's story charts the ups and downs of a long and rich life, including the breakup of a marriage that produced the three great loves of her life—her daughter, Caren, and her sons Collin and the actor Corbin Bernsen—before it ended, leaving her a single working mother. She also speaks honestly and openly about her battles to overcome alcoholism, defeat breast cancer, and age gracefully in Hollywood, a process that made her the first reality-television star when her character's (and her own) face-lift was filmed live on The Young and the Restless.
In Not Young, Still Restless, the Emmy Award–winning actress inspires readers with her ability not only to survive but thrive as an octogenarian in today's Hollywood.
Three or four days a week, Jeanne Cooper drives from her Hollywood Hills home to the job she's held for more than three decades: bringing life to the character of Katherine Chancellor, the outspoken, powerful, and insanely wealthy force of nature who, along with Jeanne herself, has become a legend in the world of daytime television and its number-one show, The Young and the Restless.
Now, for the first time, her fans will get to know the woman behind the iconic character. With her signature fearlessness, honesty, and humor, Jeanne chronicles her long tenure in Hollywood and describes her life before, during, and away from the CBS soundstage.
Not Young, Still Restless follows Jeanne as she makes her way from small-town Taft, California, to the heart of the Los Angeles movie industry, where the list of her feature-film costars reads like a Who's Who of Hollywood's Golden Age—Maureen O'Hara, Raymond Burr, David Janssen, Robert Taylor, Tony Curtis, Shelley Winters, Glenn Ford, and Lee J. Cobb, to name just a few. Jeanne writes vividly of her first foray into the new phenomenon of television and how she found her home at The Young and the Restless.
Jeanne's story charts the ups and downs of a long and rich life, including the breakup of a marriage that produced the three great loves of her life—her daughter, Caren, and her sons Collin and the actor Corbin Bernsen—before it ended, leaving her a single working mother. She also speaks honestly and openly about her battles to overcome alcoholism, defeat breast cancer, and age gracefully in Hollywood, a process that made her the first reality-television star when her character's (and her own) face-lift was filmed live on The Young and the Restless.
In Not Young, Still Restless, the Emmy Award–winning actress inspires readers with her ability not only to survive but thrive as an octogenarian in today's Hollywood.
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First published July 31, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 179 reviews
August 13, 2012
Thank you Jeanne Cooper for writing this autobiography! I thoroughly enjoyed every moment of it! What a super-fantastic lady you are! This book was well-written, humorous, interesting and I couldn't put it down. Jeanne Cooper is an inspiration to women everywhere! What else can I say? I recommend this book to everyone, even if you are not a soap opera fan!
April 14, 2013
This was a bit of a guilty pleasure for me. I sort of got addicted to watching "The Young and the Restless" (as well as its sister-show "The Bold and the Beautiful") while growing up. My mother was an avid fan, and that meant getting a chance to watch the episodes each night as she watched them on VHS while I did my homework. That means I have been hanging out in Genoa City and with some of these characters for something like 30 years, which is most of the show's 40-year existance.
Jeanne Cooper is the grand dame of the show. Her character of Ketherine Chancellor was a very early addition to the show, and viewers have joined her as Kay recovered from alcoholism, been kidnapped multiple times, fought with her one-again-off-again daughter Jill, and even had facial plastic surgery (in real life on the show).
Jeanne Cooper shares her life story here with a number of the chapters focusing on her time on the show. With that said, she provides great insight into her family, including her less-than-perfect childhood and a rough marriage with her husband Harry Bernson with whom she had Corbin Bernson of "LA Law" and "Psych" fame as well as another son and daughter.
Not surprisingly, I was mostly interested in her stories about the show and its cast. Jeanne is very nice, not really spilling gossip, though she does provide surprising information about herself such as a long-time affair with one of her co-stars.
All-in-all, it was a really good book, though I doubt anyone who isn't a fan of "The Young and the Restless" would be particularly interested. I did like the narrative tone of the book. it felt like I was sitting down with me and just telling me her life story. She has no problem sharing her opinion, but she also is pretty modest and very generous to the people around her.
I liked it enough that I read it in a day.
Jeanne Cooper is the grand dame of the show. Her character of Ketherine Chancellor was a very early addition to the show, and viewers have joined her as Kay recovered from alcoholism, been kidnapped multiple times, fought with her one-again-off-again daughter Jill, and even had facial plastic surgery (in real life on the show).
Jeanne Cooper shares her life story here with a number of the chapters focusing on her time on the show. With that said, she provides great insight into her family, including her less-than-perfect childhood and a rough marriage with her husband Harry Bernson with whom she had Corbin Bernson of "LA Law" and "Psych" fame as well as another son and daughter.
Not surprisingly, I was mostly interested in her stories about the show and its cast. Jeanne is very nice, not really spilling gossip, though she does provide surprising information about herself such as a long-time affair with one of her co-stars.
All-in-all, it was a really good book, though I doubt anyone who isn't a fan of "The Young and the Restless" would be particularly interested. I did like the narrative tone of the book. it felt like I was sitting down with me and just telling me her life story. She has no problem sharing her opinion, but she also is pretty modest and very generous to the people around her.
I liked it enough that I read it in a day.
October 23, 2012
As a years (and years) long fan of the Young and the Restless, I was excited when I heard Jeanne Cooper, aka Katherine Chancellor, had written her memoirs. This book is a humorous, yet touching look at the life of the 84 year old actress who has become so much a part of the lives of millions of devoted soap fans around the world. From her birth in the late 20's to her blossoming acting career, her disasterous marriage to Harry Bernson, to the birth of her three children (including Corbin Bernson) and her lucky (for us) casting in the roll of her life, which started as a three year contract to which she decided, "it's not like I'll still be playing this role in my 80's." Cooper is as strong willed as her TV character, and just as human. Truly enjoyed this book. But have to go now. Young and the Restless is on.
December 3, 2013
Just because I am a fan of the Young and the Restless,and because Jeanne Cooper died back in the spring, AND because I am writing a blog and plan to feature Y&R soon, I read this book. I also have been sharing bits with my mother, who is responsible for me being hooked on Y&R. It was an interesting book and I was happy to learn more about Jeanne and Y&R, though I would have taken even more on the soap. I was a bit turned off by Cooper's enormous list of "great pals," which at times seemed a bit fake, though I know her to be very genuine so maybe that was my natural reticence to such phony sounding offhand comments or my own projection of some self-loathing. I am not recommending this one to anyone but Y&R fans, and they will surely find it worthwhile.
March 3, 2025
This halfway entertaining memoir is not the tell-all the author claims: it contains a lot of repeated praise for family members and co-workers, with a few details about some of her interesting life experiences. On the first page of chapter one Cooper states it will be unlike other autobiographies, saying, "I intend on sharing it all." While the book does have a few minor revelations (she had sex with gay Raymond Burr?), the final fifty pages filled with tributes to everyone she knows feel like padding to meet her contract's required word count.
She spends most of the first fourth of the book slamming her husband and revealing how clueless she was in allowing him to trample all over her. She skips entire years of time and at one point a whole decade of her life is summarized in about four pages. She runs through a partial list of over TV shows and movies she appeared in without any stories about almost any of them.
Cooper name-drops other "good friends" like Doris Day but never says how she knows the people or tells any stories about them. The actress does reveal the name of some of the other famous people she slept with but tells nothing more than that; instead, she simply writes their names in a one-paragraph list! She also reveals that she had a long off-screen sexual affair with her on-screen Young and the Restless son, who was 20 years her junior.
If you are a Y&R fan you might enjoy a couple of the behind-the-scenes stories but Cooper bends over backwards to make sure you don't believe the negative things you've heard about her on-set behavior. However, the few soap specifics she does tell make her sound like a demanding diva who is difficult to work with.
While her admission that she's too old to recall many details is refreshing, I would like to have heard more about her relationship with her son Corbin Bernson, who is only alluded to here in a few pages. As Cooper certainly falls short of "sharing it all," it seems more like revisionist history of someone nearing the end of her career who wants to put to bed all those nasty stories while thanking those who put up with her. She is, as the title says, not young but it made me restless wishing she would have shared more.
Read in 2012 and 2025.
She spends most of the first fourth of the book slamming her husband and revealing how clueless she was in allowing him to trample all over her. She skips entire years of time and at one point a whole decade of her life is summarized in about four pages. She runs through a partial list of over TV shows and movies she appeared in without any stories about almost any of them.
Cooper name-drops other "good friends" like Doris Day but never says how she knows the people or tells any stories about them. The actress does reveal the name of some of the other famous people she slept with but tells nothing more than that; instead, she simply writes their names in a one-paragraph list! She also reveals that she had a long off-screen sexual affair with her on-screen Young and the Restless son, who was 20 years her junior.
If you are a Y&R fan you might enjoy a couple of the behind-the-scenes stories but Cooper bends over backwards to make sure you don't believe the negative things you've heard about her on-set behavior. However, the few soap specifics she does tell make her sound like a demanding diva who is difficult to work with.
While her admission that she's too old to recall many details is refreshing, I would like to have heard more about her relationship with her son Corbin Bernson, who is only alluded to here in a few pages. As Cooper certainly falls short of "sharing it all," it seems more like revisionist history of someone nearing the end of her career who wants to put to bed all those nasty stories while thanking those who put up with her. She is, as the title says, not young but it made me restless wishing she would have shared more.
Read in 2012 and 2025.
July 24, 2021
I picked this book up on a whim as I watched The Young and the Restless for a time some years ago and thought Jeanne Cooper was great. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I tend to read reviews after I finish a book. I get that no book is for everyone but some of the negative comments of this book seemed somewhat ridiculous.
So much so that I thought I would clarify a few things for those thinking of picking it up:
1. Although J.C. does discuss her costars on Y&R, she does not ‘dish the dirt’ on them which disappointed some reviewers. I think it should be kept in mind that she was still working on the soap at the time this memoir was published so had she gossiped-it probably would have been awkward on the set. Also there is a possibility that she actually liked her costars.
2. J.C. loved her family. She proudly gushes about her family in some places in the book. This was just too much for some reviewers. If a mother’s love is upsetting for you -this is not the book for you.
3. If you’ve never seen an episode of The Young and the Restless and aren’t an actual fan of the author-then this is probably not the book for you. Granted some memoirs can be enjoyed regardless if you’re a fan. However, most celebrity memoirs (including this one) tend to be for fans of said celebrity.
That said, if you’re a fan of the late, great Jeanne Cooper-I recommend the audiobook. She tells her story in her distinct voice and I thought it was a treat.
I tend to read reviews after I finish a book. I get that no book is for everyone but some of the negative comments of this book seemed somewhat ridiculous.
So much so that I thought I would clarify a few things for those thinking of picking it up:
1. Although J.C. does discuss her costars on Y&R, she does not ‘dish the dirt’ on them which disappointed some reviewers. I think it should be kept in mind that she was still working on the soap at the time this memoir was published so had she gossiped-it probably would have been awkward on the set. Also there is a possibility that she actually liked her costars.
2. J.C. loved her family. She proudly gushes about her family in some places in the book. This was just too much for some reviewers. If a mother’s love is upsetting for you -this is not the book for you.
3. If you’ve never seen an episode of The Young and the Restless and aren’t an actual fan of the author-then this is probably not the book for you. Granted some memoirs can be enjoyed regardless if you’re a fan. However, most celebrity memoirs (including this one) tend to be for fans of said celebrity.
That said, if you’re a fan of the late, great Jeanne Cooper-I recommend the audiobook. She tells her story in her distinct voice and I thought it was a treat.
February 9, 2014
As an original viewer of YR, it was quit interesting to read her take on things through all those years, especially her relationships with so many of the other actors on the show. It seems she walked the fine line between trying to tell all and trying to maintain some vestige of privacy for those in her very public world. While I'd love to have heard more detail, I do have to respect her professional integrity and ability to maintain some dignity about situations that were probably anything but dignified.
It was interesting to note that while she was probably well paid for her work, she wasn't so rich that she had carte blanche to pay for anything she wanted, as in her plastic surgery experience. That definitely brought her down to the level of most of us and I say that with the kindest of meaning. That made her real, which of course she was.
Another thing I appreciated about her was HER appreciation of the good life she had. She worked to achieve it but she also recognized that she had help along the way and I liked knowing she never forgot her origins and was willing to work hard to improve her goals and dreams. Everyone could take a lesson from her attitude.
I also think she took the high road in the telling of her marriage. It could have come across much uglier and vindictive, but she maintained her dignity while admitting her own weaknesses. So, overall, it was a good read, not difficult, not perfect, but definitely a more accurate portrayal of the Hollywood life than we might have expected. I was glad to read it and I took away some good lessons for my own life. RIP, Jeanne.
PS: At the end of the book was a disclaimer that it was a book of fiction. Why would an autobiography be called fiction?
It was interesting to note that while she was probably well paid for her work, she wasn't so rich that she had carte blanche to pay for anything she wanted, as in her plastic surgery experience. That definitely brought her down to the level of most of us and I say that with the kindest of meaning. That made her real, which of course she was.
Another thing I appreciated about her was HER appreciation of the good life she had. She worked to achieve it but she also recognized that she had help along the way and I liked knowing she never forgot her origins and was willing to work hard to improve her goals and dreams. Everyone could take a lesson from her attitude.
I also think she took the high road in the telling of her marriage. It could have come across much uglier and vindictive, but she maintained her dignity while admitting her own weaknesses. So, overall, it was a good read, not difficult, not perfect, but definitely a more accurate portrayal of the Hollywood life than we might have expected. I was glad to read it and I took away some good lessons for my own life. RIP, Jeanne.
PS: At the end of the book was a disclaimer that it was a book of fiction. Why would an autobiography be called fiction?
May 19, 2016
What a delightful book! Having been only an intermittent viewer, over the years, I still enjoyed the story of her life and the character she brought life and credibility to, Katherine Chancellor.
Part behind the scenes look at the making of a soap opera, part tribute to her friends and co-workers for so many years, generous in her praise, sparing in her criticism and part showcase, by a proud mother, of her three beautiful children and their many accomplishments.
There are great stories about on set high-jinx, the odd argument or tiff, occasional screaming matches over dialogue and her long running campaign to get the last line in, in any scene with her good friend Eric Braeden, aka Victor Newman.
If she improvised an additional line, at the end of the scene, he would carry right on with the exchange and the instant there was a pause after his line the director would immediately yell "cut!". Just one time she managed to one up him by throwing a line out and quickly exiting the scene, so he was left with nobody to respond to, and responding with glee at the sound of "cut" following her off stage.
Get it, read it and enjoy it - they don't make them like Jeanne Cooper any more!
Part behind the scenes look at the making of a soap opera, part tribute to her friends and co-workers for so many years, generous in her praise, sparing in her criticism and part showcase, by a proud mother, of her three beautiful children and their many accomplishments.
There are great stories about on set high-jinx, the odd argument or tiff, occasional screaming matches over dialogue and her long running campaign to get the last line in, in any scene with her good friend Eric Braeden, aka Victor Newman.
If she improvised an additional line, at the end of the scene, he would carry right on with the exchange and the instant there was a pause after his line the director would immediately yell "cut!". Just one time she managed to one up him by throwing a line out and quickly exiting the scene, so he was left with nobody to respond to, and responding with glee at the sound of "cut" following her off stage.
Get it, read it and enjoy it - they don't make them like Jeanne Cooper any more!
January 7, 2013
Not Young, Still Restless by Jeanne Cooper and Lindsay Harrison is a great memoir for the fans of The Young and the Restless soap opera and Katherine Chancellor. She was born in 1928 to part-Cherokee parents, and was the youngest of three children. My mother has watched the show since before I was born, and I remember the fateful episode in which Mrs. C. drove her husband off a cliff in a drunken stupor — I was one. Yes, this show has been in my life for a very long time.
Cooper infuses her memoir with honesty, but also refuses to tell stories that are not her to tell. She may be harsh on her ex-husband, but once you read about his antics, it’s hard not to see why she’d still not be his biggest fan. However, she does admit that her relationship with her husband did beget her some wonderful and talented children — Corbin Bernsen, Collin, and Caren.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/12/n...
Cooper infuses her memoir with honesty, but also refuses to tell stories that are not her to tell. She may be harsh on her ex-husband, but once you read about his antics, it’s hard not to see why she’d still not be his biggest fan. However, she does admit that her relationship with her husband did beget her some wonderful and talented children — Corbin Bernsen, Collin, and Caren.
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2012/12/n...
May 25, 2013
I got this book on my kindle.I had read that Jeanne Cooper had died a couple weeks ago. when I noticed it was on sale on the kindle version had to give this book a try. I have to admit that i never watched The Young and the Restless. I knew who Jeanne Cooper was. she has had a long career. I also know she is Corbin bersens mother.I like reading memoir and this is a good well written one.If you are fan of The Young and Restless, you may especially enjoy this memoir Ms.Cooper shares a lot of tidbits about her 40 years acting on this tv show. I liked that she wrote an honest memoir without resorting to mud slinging. a good read.
April 25, 2013
I have been watching "The Young and the Restless" for over 20 years and Katherine Chancellor is one of my favorite characters. When I heard she had finally written her memoirs, I was so excited to learn more about this amazing woman and actress. She didn't disappoint. She's fascinating, funny, fierce and determined. And more than anything she loves her family. She is an amazing woman and I'm so glad she wrote this. Of course, my favorite chapter was the one where she talked about everyone on Y&R. I loved hearing her read her words and talk about her life. She is remarkable.
August 25, 2012
I really enjoyed that. Years ago my Mom and I watched The Young and the Restless religiously and I recognized everyone she talked about in the book. I feel bad she had a crappy marriage but had three great kids to show for it.
March 23, 2015
What a terrific read!!! I've always admired Jeanne Cooper the actress. But Jeanne the human being?? Just--wow.
January 13, 2013
Pretty interesting. Would have liked a little more "dirt" on Y&R though.
May 27, 2021
My only real criticism is I feel like she skipped over a lot and didn't provide enough specific stories or details over various parts of her life. I know a lot of people seemed disappointed it wasn't more about Y&R, but it's a memoir about her life, not just about her time on Y&R, so I felt like that aspect was balanced fairly well, just found it disappointing that she kind of skipped over most of her childhood and a lot of other parts of her life I'm sure I would have found interesting. I don't feel like I got to know her very well, it felt like it just touched on the surface of her life.
Now, this is not really a criticism as I'm sure it was out of honest belief as to what she was told growing up and ignorance of the truth, but she's not Cherokee despite her belief that both her mother and father were part Cherokee, as she spoke of in the book and also in interviews. I don't think she at all set out to deceive anyone, neither likely did her family that passed the story on to her, but as people in the Genealogy community know, it's an extremely common belief (usually a false one) among many Americans that they have Native ancestors and this false story gets passed down through generations. As soon as I read it, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the case or not, and so I did a little genealogical digging and her ancestors are definitely all white at least 4 generations back. I didn't bother spending any time trying to go further, so she could potentially have distant Cherokee ancestors, but even if so, in no way would they have faced the racism she thought they were running from when they moved to California, and based on an interview she did, she seemed to truly believe that at least one grandparent on either side of her family was full Cherokee and that was why they moved. It's interesting that this is such a common phenomena, even though it's often false. Also yikes to her son calling his production company "Team Cherokee" and using a feathered headdress as the logo (as I came across while researching this) even if the family were part Cherokee, considering they did not grow up in the culture I think that was a pretty gross move anyway.
Now, this is not really a criticism as I'm sure it was out of honest belief as to what she was told growing up and ignorance of the truth, but she's not Cherokee despite her belief that both her mother and father were part Cherokee, as she spoke of in the book and also in interviews. I don't think she at all set out to deceive anyone, neither likely did her family that passed the story on to her, but as people in the Genealogy community know, it's an extremely common belief (usually a false one) among many Americans that they have Native ancestors and this false story gets passed down through generations. As soon as I read it, I couldn't help but wonder if this was the case or not, and so I did a little genealogical digging and her ancestors are definitely all white at least 4 generations back. I didn't bother spending any time trying to go further, so she could potentially have distant Cherokee ancestors, but even if so, in no way would they have faced the racism she thought they were running from when they moved to California, and based on an interview she did, she seemed to truly believe that at least one grandparent on either side of her family was full Cherokee and that was why they moved. It's interesting that this is such a common phenomena, even though it's often false. Also yikes to her son calling his production company "Team Cherokee" and using a feathered headdress as the logo (as I came across while researching this) even if the family were part Cherokee, considering they did not grow up in the culture I think that was a pretty gross move anyway.
February 14, 2020
This was a great memoir written by the late great Jeanne Cooper, who is best known for her role as Katherine Chancellor on the CBS soap opera, The Young and the Restless. I will admit when I was younger, I use to watch Y&R because my mother loved her soap operas, which I am not afraid to admit, I still watch The Bold and the Beautiful (mostly because it is only 30 minutes long). I remember watching the show and seeing Katherine on the show and she was a force to be reckoned with the people of Genoa City (and yes, there were scene Jeanne Cooper spoke about in her book that I remember very well because Y&R got my mother and I to connect and bond over).
In the end, this memoir was well-written and I loved listening to the audiobook because Cooper read it (so it felt like Katherine was reading it to you). Growing up with nothing in Oklahoma, she became a talented actress and hit a gold mine with Y&R. She also was a social activist with multiple charities and she is truly a remarkable woman. I highly recommend this memoir to everyone, especially if you watched Y&R.
In the end, this memoir was well-written and I loved listening to the audiobook because Cooper read it (so it felt like Katherine was reading it to you). Growing up with nothing in Oklahoma, she became a talented actress and hit a gold mine with Y&R. She also was a social activist with multiple charities and she is truly a remarkable woman. I highly recommend this memoir to everyone, especially if you watched Y&R.
March 12, 2020
I’ve been a fan of The Young & the Restless since it debuted on CBS in 1973. I enjoyed watching the classy and ruthless Katherine Chancellor played by Jeanne Cooper. I remember her groundbreaking face lift shown on Y&R. And I remember her death.
This is the third autobiography I have read by an actress. The first was by Carol Burnett; the second was from Sally Field. All were candid but Field’s was more exposing of herself and those important people in her life. Cooper was brutally honest about her husband and some events in her life, but she was also syrupy about close friends, much as Burnett was. The four-star rating I planned to give dropped a star in the penultimate chapter. I did not need to read about her children and grandkids BORING!!
Not a bad book but perhaps too long.
Three stars
This is the third autobiography I have read by an actress. The first was by Carol Burnett; the second was from Sally Field. All were candid but Field’s was more exposing of herself and those important people in her life. Cooper was brutally honest about her husband and some events in her life, but she was also syrupy about close friends, much as Burnett was. The four-star rating I planned to give dropped a star in the penultimate chapter. I did not need to read about her children and grandkids BORING!!
Not a bad book but perhaps too long.
Three stars
August 2, 2018
Excellent read for Y & R fan
I have always wanted to read Mrs Cooper's book, ever since I learned she wrote this book. I just couldn't find it until now. I would check libraries around, but none had their copies available. Mrs. Cooper helped my memory when she first spoke about Y & R. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about her life, kids and grandkids. It's a shame her husband Harry was such a dirt bag to her. But he got paid back for his shortcomings. Mrs. Cooper's family and life was blessed to the very end. I'm glad I got to visit her through her book. May God be a continual source of blessings and love to you Jeanne Cooper.
I have always wanted to read Mrs Cooper's book, ever since I learned she wrote this book. I just couldn't find it until now. I would check libraries around, but none had their copies available. Mrs. Cooper helped my memory when she first spoke about Y & R. I thoroughly enjoyed learning about her life, kids and grandkids. It's a shame her husband Harry was such a dirt bag to her. But he got paid back for his shortcomings. Mrs. Cooper's family and life was blessed to the very end. I'm glad I got to visit her through her book. May God be a continual source of blessings and love to you Jeanne Cooper.
October 17, 2021
So honest and Jeanne
Highly recommend! I felt like The author sitting right there tellng me her life story detail by detail ! One of the most honest forthright autobiographies I've ever had the pleasure to read. And its funny and sad and happy. All real life emotions. Love her honest. Jeanne has a wonderful life story to tell a few surprises too! A few shocks ! Jeanne was definitely Italy a strong woman! She helped make Young and Restless the top story and I do miss her . Worth the read and read in 2 days such a page turner.
Highly recommend! I felt like The author sitting right there tellng me her life story detail by detail ! One of the most honest forthright autobiographies I've ever had the pleasure to read. And its funny and sad and happy. All real life emotions. Love her honest. Jeanne has a wonderful life story to tell a few surprises too! A few shocks ! Jeanne was definitely Italy a strong woman! She helped make Young and Restless the top story and I do miss her . Worth the read and read in 2 days such a page turner.
February 1, 2023
One of my reading goals for this year was to read a celebrity memoir of which there are tons out there. I was searching for a less popular memoir while at the library a few weeks back. I came across this book and decided I had to read. I watched The Young and the Restless for a lot of years in college and even after. I always found Katherine Chancellor fascinating. I really enjoyed this book. She adored her children and grandchildren and her Y&R family. All of the love was evident in her book. Give it a read if you loved Y&R like I did.
October 14, 2023
Y&R has a special place in my heart because it was my Grammie’s “stories”. One summer I worked at a farm near Grammie and stayed with her. I would arrive at her place just in time for her “stories”, and, too exhausted to do anything but flop on the couch, I watched with her. It hooked me, and I continued to watch for a number of years. I haven’t watched in a while, but revisiting by listening to the show’s most prominent citizen was fascinating and nostalgic.
Mrs. Chancellor, I hope Gram is chatting with you and getting all the latest on the stories.
Mrs. Chancellor, I hope Gram is chatting with you and getting all the latest on the stories.
September 4, 2022
What a treat to have such an intriguing autobiography read by the author in that gravelly voice we all came to expect and love on The Young and the Restless. It's honest, witty and deeply informative. No one who ever watched this soap opera from the beginning can forget Jeanne Cooper's defining role. She dishes the scoop on many Hollywood actors she worked with before and during the soap opera. Some of the revelations are quite titillating.
May 9, 2020
An honest and compelling read
No one says it better than Jeanne Cooper. She was a brilliant actress, a forthright subject and most of all, a mensch who used her voice for good without always having to publicize it. You will enjoy the read about a working actress and how a successful daytime serial is made.
No one says it better than Jeanne Cooper. She was a brilliant actress, a forthright subject and most of all, a mensch who used her voice for good without always having to publicize it. You will enjoy the read about a working actress and how a successful daytime serial is made.
May 19, 2020
Ms. Cooper's writing in her memoir was refreshing
and revealing. Her life, both public and private, was much more than the public could see. Although she often lived in and around glamour. I was able to identify with her experiences on a different level. She managed to allow the reader to become familiar with the people she knew. It was a quick and fascinating read.
and revealing. Her life, both public and private, was much more than the public could see. Although she often lived in and around glamour. I was able to identify with her experiences on a different level. She managed to allow the reader to become familiar with the people she knew. It was a quick and fascinating read.
March 15, 2021
If you're a fan of 'The Young and the Restless,' then this is a fun book to read. Jeanne Cooper was no Katherine Chancellor, she's a much nicer person. I did learn something that surprised me; she had a year long affair with one of her cast members. YR fans know him as Brock Reynolds. Yep, her TV son. lol
April 20, 2022
My only complaint is that this was too short! It was entertaining and endearing. I loved all her stories and wish there were many more. She was friends with so many famous and interesting people, it would have been amazing to hear all her stories with every one of them. It's so sad that we'll never get more stories from her wonderful life.
June 8, 2025
Jeanne Cooper was best known for her role on "The Young And The Restless", but she had a career stretching back to the Fifties. She tells her own story with wit and a light touch, singling out friends for special mention. Sometimes brutally honest, but always enjoyable, this is a very readable book by a remarkable actress.
May 15, 2017
I've been a fan of The Young & The Restless for so long. I can remember my mom watching it when I was a kid & then later watching it myself. The show isn't the same without Jeanne Cooper. I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. There are so many amazing gems she shares in her book.
May 27, 2017
Not Young; Still Restless
Loved the book. I have watched the Young and The Restless from day one. I love the show . I'm sad that mrs. C. Is no longer with us but I am always glad when she is still brought up in the story. She is an unforgettable person. Worth reading.
Loved the book. I have watched the Young and The Restless from day one. I love the show . I'm sad that mrs. C. Is no longer with us but I am always glad when she is still brought up in the story. She is an unforgettable person. Worth reading.
July 21, 2017
I enjoyed it. I was never a huge Y & R fan but I always enjoyed Jeanne. The book was interesting enough that I finished it in one day.
I did find it very sad reading it 4 years after her passing though.
I did find it very sad reading it 4 years after her passing though.
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