Fans of classic television and daytime drama are mourning the loss of Ellen Weston, the actress, writer, and producer remembered for her work on The Young and the Restless, Get Smart, and Guiding Light. Weston died on May 28, 2026, at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, according to confirmation from her friend and manager Susan Zachary. She was 87.

Image: Ellen Weston in later life, paired with an older television-era photo

Born Ellen Weinstein on April 19, 1939, in New York City, Weston built a long career that moved between Broadway, soap operas, primetime television, television movies, writing rooms, and producing credits. Her life in entertainment lasted more than six decades, making her a familiar face to viewers who followed American television from the 1960s through the early 2000s.

Before she became known to soap-opera audiences, Weston appeared on Broadway. The Internet Broadway Database lists her as a Broadway performer, and her stage credits helped establish her as a serious actress before television became the larger platform for her career.

Weston’s early television work included the role of Robin Fletcher on Guiding Light from 1963 to 1964, followed by a role on Another World. These appearances placed her within the growing world of American daytime drama, where loyal audiences followed complex family stories, romantic conflicts, and long-running character arcs.

She later became closely associated with The Young and the Restless, where she played Suzanne Thurston, the ex-wife of conman Derek Thurston, portrayed by Joe DiSazio. Weston appeared on the series from 1979 to 1981, a period when daytime soaps were a major part of American television culture.

Although many viewers remember her for soaps, Weston also made an impression in comedy and adventure television. She appeared as Dr. Steele on Get Smart, showing her ability to move from dramatic daytime roles into the sharper, more playful world of classic network sitcoms.