The character Colleen Carlton in “The Young and the Restless” made her on-screen debut in 1992, born to Brad Carlton (Don Diamont) and Traci Abbott (Beth Maitland).
In 2001, she returned to Genoa City as a teenager, portrayed by Lyndsy Fonseca. After Fonseca’s tenure, Adrianne León took over the role in 2005.
Finally, Tammin Sursok assumed the character in 2007 and remained in the role until Colleen’s tragic demise in 2009.
But how did she die?
In The Young and the Restless, after Colleen Carlton fell into a lake, it led to a head injury and hallucinations. Jack Abbott found her, but she was declared brain dead at the hospital. Heartbroken, her mom, Traci Abbott, decided to remove her from life support. But in a surprising turn, Nikki Newman requested Colleen’s heart for Victor Newman, who needed a transplant after a heart attack.
Explained: How Did Colleen Carlton Die in Y&R?
Colleen Carlton’s character on “The Young and the Restless” became a fan favorite due to her involvement with J.T. Hellstrom, even though their age difference initially raised eyebrows.
Their evolving romance captivated viewers as J.T. transformed into a devoted partner from a womanizer. However, Colleen’s character was eventually killed off, leaving fans distraught.
In her final storyline, Colleen’s life took a tragic turn after her father, Brad Carlton, died heroically while saving Noah Newman.
Colleen stepped in to fill his position on the board at Newman Enterprises, leading to conflict with Victor Newman. Victor orchestrated a scandal to discredit Colleen, tarnishing her reputation and career prospects.
Colleen’s next path led her to the Abbott family cabin, where she encountered Patty Williams, unaware of her true identity and purpose in town.
A terrifying confrontation left Colleen tied to a tree, but she managed to free herself and attempted to help Patty. During their struggle, Colleen fell into the lake, sustaining a head injury and hallucinating her loved ones.
Jack Abbott found his niece, but despite his efforts, Colleen was declared brain dead upon arrival at the hospital.
Traci Abbott, heartbroken, decided to remove her from life support. In a poignant twist, Nikki Newman pleaded for Colleen’s heart to be donated to Victor, who needed a transplant after a heart attack.
Eventually, Traci agreed, and Colleen’s organ was used to save the life of the man indirectly linked to her tragic fate.
This dramatic storyline left a lasting impact on “The Young and the Restless” audience, and the reactions were varied, to say the least.
Why Was Colleen Carlton Killed Off?
The demise of Colleen on “The Young and the Restless” left a profound impact on devoted viewers, with many expressing dissatisfaction over how the show’s writers handled the character.
Colleen, the only legacy of the esteemed Traci Abbott, met a tragic end, a decision that some fans found difficult to accept. This was primarily because her father, Brad, had also passed away in the same year and in a similar way.
Some argued that leaving her character in a coma, a typical soap opera trope, would have provided a more open-ended storyline for potential returns.
Moreover, the use of Colleen’s death as a plot device to save Victor further fuels fans’ frustration.
Yet despite the controversial nature of her exit, there’s a poignant twist to her departure. After all, Colleen’s presence will continue to linger on the show as long as Victor remains alive.
The question of whether external factors influenced Colleen’s exit did arise, but the decision was primarily driven by a combination of factors.
Tammin Sursok, the actress portraying Colleen, expressed her desire to explore roles beyond the soap opera. While she didn’t have a direct role in shaping the character’s death storyline, Sursok was accepting of the character’s fate.
Colleen’s final appearance, during which she appeared to Victor Newman as a vision in the December 23, 2010, episode, provided a fitting farewell to a beloved character.
Despite the mixed emotions surrounding her exit, Colleen Carlton’s legacy lives on, leaving a lasting impression on “The Young and the Restless” and its dedicated audience.
What do you think of Colleen Carlton’s ending? Could it have been executed better? Or was it perfectly done?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
