IN MEMORIAM

Brett Hadley, the actor who made a name for himself portraying detective Carl Williams on “The Young and the Restless” from 1980-1990, and again from 1998-1999, has died. 

The 92-year-old passed away on Wednesday, June 14 of sepsis at the Motion Picture & Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, according to his friend of 30 years, Darcy Lee, The Hollywood Reporter stated. “He was a wonderful, sweet and kind man,” said Lee of her friend in a statement released to the outlet.

In a post, Lee noted Hadley’s last moments, saying, “We talked about movies and art.. and we laughed a lot! He even made me laugh on his death bed.” She added, “He waited to pass tonight until my show was over and I walked out of the theatre. He took his last bow as I got into the car to come home. I will miss you terribly Brett Hadley – and thank you for being in my life.”

Born September 25, 1930, in Louisville, Kentucky, studied drama at the University of New Mexico before segueing to the Goodman Theatre in Chicago. Overall, Hadley amassed more than 30 television and film credits to his resume, including guest starring roles in such shows as “The F.B.I.,” “Police Story,” “Highway to Heaven,” “Beauty and the Beast,” “The Colbys,” “The Incredible Hulk,” “The Invisible Man,” and “The Waltons,” among others.

“It is with a heavy heart that I have to say goodbye to my sweet friend Brett Hadley,” wrote Mary Ann Halpin in a Facebook post. “He has been my friend since I was 19 ears [sic] old. We were in an acting class and were the bad kids in the class. We sat in the back and giggled. I remember us sitting in his coverable WV in front of my apartment in Burbank under a maple tree with the leaves falling into the car. We were stoned and pretending we were driving through the country. We hiked Mount Whitney together with my little brother Johnny who was only 16 at the time (he’s now 65). He was at our wedding almost 39 years ago. Brett had a long career as an actor. He was 10 years on ‘The Young and the Restless.’ I was fortunate to get a small part on the show as a a loose woman named Angela. Amazingly, we were in the same scene together. I will miss his playful and deep conversation, his funny flirty giggle and twinkling eyes. He took his last bow and gracefully left us yesterday. Thank you to my dear sweet soul sister Darcy Lee Caplan for midwifing him out.”

As police detective Carl Williams on “The Young and the Restless,” Hadley helped introduce viewers to Paul’s (Doug Davidson) family when then head writer and co-creator William J. Bell decided to expand the Williams clan. The dynamic also included Carolyn Conwell who played his deeply religious wife, Mary. Conwell died in 2012.

“Rest in Peace, Brett, who graced #YR with his talent for many years as ‘Carl Williams,’” read a tweet posted on the official Twitter handle for “The Young and the Restless” earlier today.

Some of Hadley’s former castmates at the daytime drama series shared their sentiments about the actor with Soap Opera Digest as news of his passing circulated.

“The passing of Brett Hadley is such sad news. He was a delight to work with and was an upbeat and happy presence in the halls and on the set. He was an old-fashioned guy. Always professional, but full of fun stories and laughs and was always happy to be on the stage. His memory speaks to a happy time, when soaps were in their heyday and the actors were legendary and larger than life. Rest well, old friend. You will be missed,” shared Beth Maitland (Tracy Abbott).

“Brett had the best sense of humor ever and he and Doug [Davidson, ex-Paul] were a lethal pair to attempt to do a scene with. He was a wonderful actor and a great part of ‘Young and Restless’ in those years. He will be very missed,” said Tracey E. Bregman (Lauren Fenmore Baldwin).

“Brett was the sweetest guy. Biggest smile and the believability of he and Doug Davidson being father and son was like no other!” commented Laurelee Bell (Christine Blair).

Hadley is survived by his niece, Diane.