Marnie Schulenburg, who played As the World Turns' Alison Stewart and One Life to Live's Jo Sullivan, passed away just a few days shy of her 38th birthday.
The actress had been battling Stage 4 metastatic breast cancer since 2020, a diagnosis that was especially heartbreaking because she and her husband, Zack Robidas, had just welcomed their first daughter, Coda, who is now two years old.
A former gymnast, Schulenburg graduated from DeSales University in 2006 before going on to appear in productions such as the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival's As You Like It as Celia. She attended the Dramatists Guild of America in New York City, where she took part in play reading, and she also participated in play reading for The Flux Theatre Ensemble.
Schulenburg made her daytime debut as Alison Stewart on The Young and the Restless in 2007. She took the character to As the World Turns later that same year and stayed in Oakdale until 2010. The actress is also known for her roles in Royal Pains, The Good Wife, Tainted Dreams, and One Life to Live, where she played the character of Jo Sullivan in 2013.
In her free time, the actress enjoyed the theater, playing video games with her two brothers, and collecting memorabilia from her childhood home on Cape Cod.
The daytime community has taken to social media to share their condolences. Here are some of those reactions.
“Heartbreaking. I’m so sorry to hear this news,” wrote Martha Madison (Belle Black, Days of our Lives). “The story she shared about her cancer journey really landed and stayed with me ever since. Please hold her family in your hearts today.”
Added Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher, Y&R; Leo Stark, DAYS), “Her positivity and strength were so inspiring. My heart [hurts] for her family.”
Heartbreaking. I’m so sorry to hear this news. The story she shared about her cancer journey really landed and stayed with me ever since. Please hold her family in your hearts today. ???? https://t.co/biIvy6Fid3
— Martha Madison (@Marth27) May 18, 2022
Former publicist for Televest (the Procter & Gamble soaps) shared that he was "heartbroken over this news."
Heartbroken over this news! It will be hard to find anyone who has fought harder with more grace, beauty and sometimes humor than this talented young woman. She has been one of the most truly courageous in her fight. Please keep her husband Zack & Coda in your thoughts & prayers.
— Alan Locher (@alanglenn66) May 18, 2022
How do you feel about the passing of Marnie Schulenburg? What are your favorite memories of her time on As the World Turns and One Life to Live? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.