Pamela Peters Solow, who originated the role of Peggy Brooks on The Young and the Restless, died June 4 at age 75. The actress’ death was announced by her close friend Todd Hirsch through a Facebook post, revealing that she had passed away at her North Hollywood residence where she lived with her husband, Marty Levy.
Solow played the character of Peggy Brooks on and off from 1973 to 1984, establishing herself as one of the original cast members of the long-running CBS daytime drama. Patricia Everly briefly took over the role in the late 1970s when Solow took a temporary break from the series. Her portrayal of Peggy highlighted many social issues within the soap’s storyline, often dealing with devastating plot twists that resonated with viewers during the show’s early years.
In his emotional tribute, Hirsch described meeting Solow and her husband in 2017 when he moved his office next to theirs in North Hollywood. He noted that their friendship was instant and praised Solow as “one of the coolest damn ladies I have ever had the good fortune to know.” Hirsch revealed that both Solow and her husband were actors who maintained a business together while pursuing their entertainment careers.
On The Young and the Restless, Peggy Brooks was portrayed as the youngest daughter of Jennifer Brooks and Stuart Brooks, with sisters Lorie, Leslie, and Chris Brooks. The Brooks family represented one of the core founding families of the fictional Genoa City during the show’s early years, long before the Newman and Abbott families became central to the storyline. Peggy’s character arc included attending college, developing feelings for her married professor Jack Curtis, and working alongside reporter Steven Williams to expose a dangerous cult, nearly losing her life in the process.
The character faced numerous challenges throughout Solow’s tenure on the show, including a traumatic rape by Ron Becker that led to psychological issues and difficulties maintaining intimate relationships. These storylines addressed serious social issues that were groundbreaking for daytime television during the 1970s and early 1980s. Solow first portrayed Peggy from 1973 to 1977, returned for a second stint from 1978 to 1981, and made a final guest appearance in 1984.
Beyond her work on The Young and the Restless, Solow appeared in numerous popular television series throughout the 1970s. Her credits included roles on Happy Days, The Partridge Family, Emergency, Medical Center, Room 222, The Sixth Sense, Butch Cassidy, and Man from Atlantis. She also appeared in various commercials during her career, establishing herself as a recognizable face on television during that era.
Born May 8, 1950, in New York, Solow launched her acting career in the early 1970s and quickly became a familiar presence on television screens across America. Her breakthrough role as Peggy Brooks came when she appeared in the second episode of The Young and the Restless when the series debuted in 1973. Her final acting credit was in the 1990 science fiction film Omega Cop, which starred Adam West.
Solow’s contribution to daytime television during The Young and the Restless’ formative years helped establish the show’s reputation for addressing complex social issues through compelling character development. Her portrayal of Peggy Brooks dealt with topics that were considered controversial for daytime television, including extramarital relationships, sexual assault, and cult involvement. These storylines helped differentiate the CBS soap opera from its competitors and contributed to its long-term success.
The actress was also known for creating Chocolate Fortunes during her career outside of acting. Her husband, Marty Levy, has appeared in numerous productions including Back to the Future II, Volcano, and television series such as Ally McBeal, ER, and LA Law. The couple maintained their business together in North Hollywood while both pursued acting careers.
Hirsch concluded his tribute by expressing hope that he would meet Solow again someday, referring to her as his “second mom” and noting that any possible afterlife would be incomplete without the opportunity to continue their conversations. The news of her passing has resonated throughout the soap opera community, with fans remembering her contributions to one of daytime television’s most enduring programs.
Solow’s legacy remains significant in the history of The Young and the Restless, as her character helped establish the show’s early identity and contributed to storylines that pushed boundaries in daytime television. Her work during the show’s first decade helped lay the foundation for what would become one of the longest-running soap operas in television history.
