Ellen Weston Dies: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Actress Was 87

Ellen Weston, the actress known for her role as Suzanne Thurston in The Young and the Restless, is dead at 87.

On May 28, Weston died at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, her manager, Susan Zachary, told The Hollywood Reporter on June 25.

The actress portrayed Suzanne on Y&R between 1978 and 1980, appearing in eight episodes as the ex-wife of Derek Thurston, per IMDb. Weston also worked as a writer for Guiding Light, in addition to playing Robin Fletcher on the CBS soap opera. She portrayed Carol Pearson and Karen Gregory on NBC’s Another World between 1964 and 65, as well.

In a statement, friends described Weston as a “rare person who had both right and left-brain proficiency … she was as skilled at a legal brief as she was with a knitting needle.” They continued, “She was our consigliere dispensing advice, wisdom, compassion, and care in equal measure — especially when we most needed an ear, a shoulder, and a true confidante. She was beyond a loyal friend — she was a fierce advocate for every single one of us.”

To conclude the statement, Weston’s friends noted, “She took excellent care of herself, always tastefully put together with gorgeous outfits, the perfect makeup, and more. Up until the very end, she was still dancing and taking new classes; the latest was a pottery class taught by a dear friend that ended a month before her passing.”

Weston’s other acting credits included the following TV shows: Get Smart, S.W.A.T., Run for Your Life, N.Y.P.D., Bonanza, The Ghost and Mrs. Muir, Mannix, Bewitched, Hawkins, Harry O, Barnaby Jones, The Bob Newhart Show, Cannon, Baretta, and Wonder Woman.

Additionally, Weston appeared on Broadway in Toys in the Attic (1960), A Far Country (1961), and Mary, Mary (1961–1964). The multi-hyphenate talent also wrote songs for two of Lesley Gore‘s albums.

Weston was married to (and divorced from) music engineer Ami Hadani and composer Marvin Laird. She is survived by a son, Jon Weston.