The Young and the Restless: Aunt Jordan's Colleen Zenk crosses off another one

On The Young and the Restless, Colleen Zenk has been stirring up trouble in Genoa City playing Jordan Howard. In real life, Zenk has a birthday today, and Soap Central is celebrating the legendary actress behind Genoa City's favorite (but crazy) aunt.

Colleen Zenk on The Young and the Restless

When Colleen Zenk first appeared on The Young and the Restless as Cole Howard’s (Eddie J. Peck) aunt Jordan in 2023, she was hardly new to the genre. Zenk starred on As The World Turns from 1978 to 2010 as Barbara Ryan. Zenk appeared in other TV series and movies such as Blue Bloods and Tainted Dreams, and on the big screen, playing Cecille in 1982’s Annie.

Today, Zenk describes herself in her bio on X (formerly known as Twitter) as “A Mom, 5x Emmy nom'd Actor/Singer/Dancer/Producer, 2x Oral Cancer Survivor/Nat'l Spokesperson Oral Cancer OCF, former CT/NYC now SWFL gal.. Finding a new life.”

On the social platform, she recently shared, “I was 25 when I was cast on #ATWT in '78. All I knew was theatre. Musical theatre, comedy, dance. I had done dozens of commercials by then and was very comfortable in front of the camera (joined SAG in '67, AEA in '72). But, this medium is a very different animal. My early directors saw a young actor with theatre skills they could shape.”

Zenk also recalled how she met Josh Griffith, executive producer and head writer of The Young and the Restless. She continued, “And writers who saw something in me. I am forever grateful to Bridget & Jerry Dobson and the great Douglas Marland who took "Barbara" to a different level. There were so many producers in my corner, too. But for me, it always came back to the writers. And many on Y&R have written for me over the ATWT years entrusting me with their words. Including Josh Griffith, who was one of the few writers I never really knew at ATWT. We never even had a conversation until August '23 when he called to ask if I was interested in joining Y&R... just some back history. I am a very fortunate actor who worked with the best... and still do!!”

Aunt Jordan in Genoa City

Jordan Howard (Colleen Zenk) has been causing trouble long before anyone knew she was in Genoa City. Jordan was the culprit of Heather Stevens’ (Vail Bloom) murder, Sharon’s hallucinations, Phyllis’ accident, and now, Sharon’s kidnapping on New Year’s Eve.

Jordan is usually the one in control, but she turned her back on her partner in crime, Ian Ward (Ray Wise), who warned her she would regret it. Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Chance (Conner Floyd) are hot on her trail — although they don’t know her identity, just that they’re searching for Ian’s accomplice. Meanwhile, Claire (Hayley Erin), Nikki (Melody Thomas Scott), and Victoria (Amelia Heinle) think they’re the only ones who know she isn’t in prison and are plotting her murder. And, perhaps worst of all, Victor (Eric Braeden) overheard the Newman women, and now he knows Jordan’s back as well.

Jordan might be suspicious of Claire being on her side and not the Newmans, but little does she know how many people are actually hot on her trail. Can she stay one step ahead? Or will her betrayal to Ian come back to bite her? After all, he’s the one who got her out of prison, and if she’s no use to him, she may as well go back to where he found her.

Zenk shared a little hint into Jordan’s fate, with the help of those who remember her ATWT role of Barbara Ryan. On Threads, she teased, “Well, "burned Babs" wasn't done then... as "Aunt Jordan" isn't now....”

Watch the birthday girl on The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS or stream on Paramount Plus.