As the World Turns Star Colleen Zenk Faces DUI Charges in Florida

Three DUI arrests in a decade paints a troubling picture for a soap opera icon who once seemed poised for a comeback.

Colleen Zenk, the actress best known for her three-decade run as Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns, was arrested in May in Florida following a two-vehicle crash. The 73-year-old now faces two misdemeanor charges: DUI causing damage to property or another person, and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher. According to the arrest report, Zenk backed out of a handicap parking space and struck a parked vehicle before continuing to drive. When stopped by authorities, she showed signs of unsteadiness and admitted to consuming“two wine cups.”Field sobriety tests revealed impairment issues with balance and following instructions. Her breath samples registered 0.206 and 0.192 BAC — both well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.

Zenk’s legal team issued a statement emphasizing that she has not been convicted and that“the truth will be played out in court.”She posted bond, entered a not guilty plea, and has a court hearing scheduled for July 29. Her next appearance will be a critical moment for the actress, who’s navigating a legal system that’s seen her twice before on similar charges — a 2017 first-offense DUI and a 2010 arrest for erratic driving and improper lane usage.

The timing of this arrest adds another layer of complication to Zenk’s recent career arc. In 2023, she booked a role as Jordan on The Young and the Restless, marking her first daytime TV gig in over 13 years. At the time, Zenk expressed gratitude for the opportunity, telling TV Insider,“I can still do this…For a 72-year-old woman to be given this kind of opportunity, I’d jump in again.”It was a moment of professional validation — proof that her talent still resonated in an industry that doesn’t always welcome older actresses back. That optimism proved short-lived. Her character was killed off in 2025, just two years into her return. Zenk expressed disappointment that Jordan didn’t get a longer arc, saying she thought the character“would go out like Bonnie and Clyde together”with another character.

For someone who spent more than 30 years building a legacy on one of daytime’s most beloved shows, the past few years have been a mixed bag of small wins and letdowns — professional and personal. The May arrest, if it results in a conviction, could complicate her ability to book work going forward, especially in an industry where public perception matters. The court date on July 29 will be a moment to watch, not just for Zenk’s legal standing but for what it signals about her future in an industry that’s often unforgiving of public struggles.