Katherine Chancellor is a fictional character from the CBS Daytime soap opera, The Young and the Restless, portrayed by Jeanne Cooper. Created and introduced by show creator, William J. Bell in November 1973; Cooper's Katherine was introduced in an effort to increase the show's struggling ratings. When Bell's plan proved successful, Cooper was signed to a contract. Cooper went on to become the longest-running cast member in the show's history ending her nearly 40-year run on May 3, 2013, five days before her death.