The Young and the Restless 2025 Farewell Round-Up: Every Major Exit, Recast, and Tragic Loss
2025 has been a year of transformation for The Young and the Restless, and not just in storylines. This year has seen an emotional wave of goodbyes, with the departures of some beloved (and feared) characters, surprising exits, and heartbreaking real-life losses that have left a permanent mark on Genoa City. Whether they were written off, chose to move on, or tragically passed away, each departure has changed the Y&R landscape in a big way.
Let’s take a look at every major goodbye from The Young and the Restless in 2025—and what it means for the future of the show.
1. Colleen Zenk Bows Out as Aunt Jordan (January 24, 2025)
Colleen Zenk’s Aunt Jordan brought an unforgettable level of chaos to Genoa City. From masterminding Claire’s reintroduction to poisoning Nikki’s sobriety and ultimately driving Sharon to the brink, Aunt Jordan was pure soap villainy at its finest. But after a high-stakes showdown and drinking Claire’s poisoned tea, Jordan’s reign of terror ended—abruptly and fatally. Zenk’s exit on January 24 marked the first major character departure of 2025, and the loss of one of the most deliciously unhinged villains Y&R has had in years.
2. Lyndon Ashby’s Final Goodbye as Cameron Kirsten (January 27, 2025)
Lyndon Ashby surprised fans with his shocking 2023 return as longtime villain Cameron Kirsten, who originally exited the canvas two decades earlier. Though killed off, Cameron’s presence lingered into 2024 through Sharon’s hallucinations, adding a creepy psychological edge to the show. On January 27, 2025, Ashby made his final appearance, and Cameron’s chapter officially closed—this time for good.
3. Ray Wise Ends His Arc as Ian Ward (January 30, 2025)
Another legacy villain, Ian Ward, returned in 2025 with Ray Wise reprising the role. Aligning with Aunt Jordan, Ian tried to ruin the Newmans once again, only to end up shot. In classic soap fashion, his body mysteriously vanished after a breathless final scene. While it’s unclear whether we’ll see him again, January 30 was Wise’s last appearance… for now.
4. In Memoriam: Wings Hauser (March 15, 2025)
The Y&R family suffered a real-life loss when iconic actor Wings Hauser passed away on March 15. Hauser portrayed Greg Foster from 1977 to 2010 and left behind a legacy that spanned generations of viewers. His death marked a somber moment for longtime fans who remembered him as one of the show’s foundational players.
5. In Memoriam: Pamela Bach (March 23, 2025)
Though she’s more widely recognized outside of Y&R, Pamela Bach left her mark on the show in the 1990s as Mary Jo Mason. Her tragic passing on March 23 at age 61 from suicide sent ripples through the daytime TV community and left fans mourning another talented alum gone too soon.
6. Christopher Cousins as Martin/Dr. Alan Laurent (April 10, 2025)
In one of the more twisted arcs this year, Christopher Cousins portrayed both the seemingly kind Dr. Alan Laurent and his malicious twin Martin. From nearly marrying Traci to kidnapping Phyllis and Sharon, Martin was the ultimate con man. After his deception unraveled and he was sent to prison, Cousins’ time on the show ended on April 10.
7. Daniel Goddard Confirms Cain Ashby Is Gone—for Good
Fans had long speculated about Daniel Goddard’s potential return as Cain Ashby, but in April 2025, the actor confirmed he won’t be coming back to Y&R. Instead, he made his debut on General Hospital as Professor Dalton on April 15. Cain lives on, however, now portrayed by Days of Our Lives alum Billy Flynn, who’s expected to take the character in an entirely new direction.
8. Allison Lanier Exits as Summer Newman (May 2, 2025)
Allison Lanier said goodbye to Summer Newman in a heartfelt Twitter post following her final episode on May 2. Lanier thanked fans for the journey and shared her excitement for new opportunities. Her exit closed yet another chapter in the ongoing Abbott-Newman saga and opened the door for a possible recast or long-term pause.
9. Rory Gibson Says Goodbye as Noah Newman (May 21, 2025)
Shortly after Lanier’s exit, fans were hit with another surprise: Rory Gibson, who played Noah Newman since 2021, also chose to leave. Though the show had been underutilizing his character, Gibson’s quiet farewell became official on May 21 when he jumped ship to General Hospital, where he now portrays a newly recast Michael Corinthos.
10. In Memoriam: Pamela Peters Solow (June 4, 2025)
Original cast member Pamela Peters Solow passed away on June 4 at age 75. She was known for her portrayal of Peggy Brooks during Y&R‘s earliest days in the 1970s and early ‘80s. Her passing marks the continued departure of the soap’s earliest era, honoring a legacy that helped build the foundation of what Y&R is today.
11. Offscreen Death of Colin Atkinson (June 23, 2025)
Kane stunned viewers on the June 23 episode by revealing that his father, Colin Atkinson, had died offscreen. Played by the legendary Tristan Rogers since 2010, Colin was a charming yet scheming figure. His death, while unceremonious, closes the chapter on a decade-spanning character—and possibly sets up new drama for Kane’s future.
12. Connor Floyd’s Departure as Chance Chancellor
Connor Floyd, who had portrayed Chance Chancellor since 2021, officially left Y&R in June. Though the date of his final episode hasn’t been revealed, fans learned that Floyd has moved on to Days of Our Lives, where he will now play the new Chad DiMera. Chance’s next steps in Genoa City remain to be seen, but a recast or abrupt exit is imminent.
13. J. Eddie Peck’s Cole Howard Dies (July 3, 2025)
After returning to Genoa City, Cole Howard—played by J. Eddie Peck—was revealed to have died of Legionnaire’s disease on the July 3 episode. Peck confirmed the end of his storyline on Instagram, expressing gratitude for the decades-long journey that began back in 1993. His death was both sudden and quietly poignant, adding another twist to Victoria’s emotional arc.
14. Germaine Rivers’ Damian Killed Off (July 14, 2025)
Just as his character Damian Ka was gaining traction with viewers (especially thanks to his budding romance with Lily), Germaine Rivers made his shocking exit. Damian was murdered in a July 14 episode after a poisoned drink and a hidden knife sealed his fate in a chilling sequence. His death adds another layer of danger to the mystery building around Cain’s storyline.
15. Melissa Ordway’s Quiet Exit as Abby Newman
Though Melissa Ordway had already been reduced to recurring status in late 2024, her recent French Riviera arc turned out to be her final storyline. The actress confirmed that she hasn’t been contacted by Y&R since filming those episodes in May and considers them her last. Abby’s exit feels unfinished—leaving room for either a future return or a clean recast down the road.
Looking Ahead: A Year of Loss and Opportunity
As 2025 progresses, it’s clear The Young and the Restless is undergoing a period of major transition. Some exits were planned, others sudden, and a few deeply personal. Yet every departure has added to the emotional complexity of the show—and opened doors for new faces, fresh storylines, and renewed stakes.
From fiery villains like Aunt Jordan to legacy characters like Colin and Summer, Y&R has cleared the board for new moves to be made. The question now is: Who’s coming next? And what storm will they bring with them?
Which exit shocked you the most?
Was it the chilling murder of Damian? The quiet departure of Summer? Or the real-life losses that left fans reeling? Let us know in the comments. And for more soap updates, cast shake-ups, and exclusive behind-the-scenes news, keep it locked to Trend Street.
