Jeanne Cooper: The Golden Girl
On March 9, 2009- Jeanne Cooper (Katherine) was honored along with Smokey Robinson, Vin Scully and the late Don LaFontaine at the 2009 AFTRA Media and Entertainment Excellence Awards (The AMEES) at the Millennium Biltmore hotel in Los Angeles. Shelby Scott, president of the AFTRA Foundation, said, "A night like tonight is a wonderful way to celebrate the inspiring achievements of AFTRA members like Jeanne, Smokey, Vin, and Don, as well as our sponsors' overwhelming generosity in spite of such difficult economic times for this nation."
More than 340 guests were in attendance including many Y&R cast members such as Christian LeBlanc (Michael), Eileen Davidson (Ashley), Adrienne Frantz (Amber), Jess Walton (Jill), Kate Linder (Esther), David Lago (Raul)and Beth Maitland (Traci). Co-executive producer and head writer Maria Arena Bell presented the award to Cooper, who for the last 35 years has played the grande dame of Genoa City, Katherine Chancellor. Bell spoke of Cooper's dedication to the series and to AFTRA, looking out for the show's young performers and often hosting AFTRA representative meetings in her "office," a.k.a. her dressing room. "I never wanted to be a star. I wanted to be an actor," Cooper said in accepting the AMEE. "But to be a working professional, you need rules and protections and you have to work together with other professionals. This is what actors do through AFTRA. God bless this union, and I am so grateful to the AFTRA Foundation for this tremendous honor."
Cooper's children Collin, Corbin and Caren Bernsen were on hand to celebrate the special night and they couldn't have been prouder of their mom. The AMEE Award tops off the year that included a Daytime Emmy®, her 35th Anniversary on the show and her 80th birthday. Jeanne truly is the Golden Girl.
Congratulations, Jeanne!
About the AFTRA Foundation
Founded by the AFTRA National Board of Directors in 1997 as a separate legal entity from the union, the AFTRA Foundation is a charitable and educational organization funded through tax-deductible voluntary contributions, grants and bequests—not AFTRA member dues—to support projects outside the scope of normal activities at AFTRA, including charitable endeavors, special conferences, studies, seminars and other events. For more information, visit http://www.aftra.com/foundation.
About AFTRA
The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists, AFL-CIO, are the people who entertain and inform America. In 32 Locals across the country, AFTRA members work as actors, journalists, singers, dancers, announcers, hosts, comedians, disc jockeys, and other performers across the media industries including television, radio, cable, sound recordings, music videos, commercials, audiobooks, non-broadcast industrials, interactive games, the Internet, and other digital media. The 70,000 professional performers, broadcasters, and recording artists of AFTRA are working together to protect and improve their jobs, lives, and communities in the 21st century. From new art forms to new technology, AFTRA members embrace change in their work and craft to enhance American culture and society. Visit AFTRA online at http://www.aftra.com.
**Emmy® is the trademark property of ATAS/NATAS. 
|
