The Young and the Restless actor Brett Hadley has died at the age of 92
The Young and the Restless actor Brett Hadley dies at 92: beloved soap star dies while friend pays tribute
Young and the Restless star Brett Hadley has died at the age of 92, it was confirmed on Friday.
Although an official cause of death is not yet known, the beloved actor is said to have passed away on Wednesday.
His girlfriend, photographer Mary Ann Halpin, broke the news on Facebook, writing, “It is with a heavy heart that I must say goodbye to my dear friend Brett Hadley.”
Halpin, who had known Hadley since he was 19, recalled, “We were in an acting class and were the naughty kids in class. We sat in the back and giggled.’
She added, “I will miss his playful and deep conversation, his funny flirtatious giggles and twinkling eyes. He took his final bow and left us gracefully yesterday.’
The Young and the Restless actor Brett Hadley dies at 92: beloved soap star dies while friend pays tribute
Beloved: Brett Hadley as Carl Williams (1980-1990) and Lilibet Stern as Patty Williams (1980-1983) in the CBS daytime drama The Young And The Restless June 24, 1982
Born on September 25, 1930 in Louisville, Kentucky, Hadley had an early career in acting and studied drama at the University of New Mexico.
He worked on stage and was also a working actor in television during the 1960s and 1970s, making cameo appearances on several high-profile shows.
Hadley appeared in programs such as Room 222, Ironside, The Magical World Of Disney, Kojak, The Rockford Files and The Incredible Hulk.
Over the same decades, he scored minor roles in films, including Funny Lady, the sequel to the iconic Barbra Streisand vehicle Funny Girl.
However, it was in 1980 that he joined The Young And The Restless, a turn that has endeared him to soap opera fans ever since.
216 episodes of the CBS daytime drama featured Hadley as the William family patriarch Carl, a hard-boiled police detective.
Although he left the show in 1991 after ten years, he sensationally returned in 1998 and spent another year on the program before quitting for good.
During Hadley’s years away, Carl continued to be mentioned on the show, with several characters noting that he was “in the other room.”
Sad: His friend, photographer Mary Ann Halpin, revealed the tragic news on Facebook
However, when Hadley returned to the soap in 1998, it was explained that Carl had been brutally beaten by a criminal, disappeared and then returned with amnesia.
Carl had apparently started a second life under the name Jim Bradley and could not remember anything about his Williams family.
In the wake of Bradby’s death, a chorus of his old The Young And The Restless co-stars have paid tribute to Soap Opera Summary.
“He was a joy to work with and was a cheerful and happy presence in the halls and on set,” Beth Maitland recalled.
‘He was an old-fashioned man. Always professional, but full of fun stories and laughter and was always happy to be on stage,” she added.
“His memory speaks of a happy time, when soap operas were in their heyday and the actors were legendary and larger than life.”
“Brett was a great actor,” said Kate Linder. “He definitely owned that part. I still hear his voice. There will never be another Carl Williams.”
“Brett was the sweetest man,” Lauralee Bell gushed. “The biggest smile and credibility that he and Doug Davidson were father and son was like no other!”