AS THE WORLD TURNS Star Colleen Zenk Celebrates 63rd Birthday — See Her Greatest Moments!

By Chris Eades Updated: January 20, 2017

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Happy Birthday to AS THE WORLD TURNS’ Colleen Zenk (Barbara), who turns 63 today!

The actress started on ATWT in 1978, and played the role continuously until the show left the air in 2010. Originally a musical theater actress, Zenk was actually still performing on Broadway alongside Chita Rivera and Donald O’Connor in Bring Back Birdie while on ATWT in 1980.

The multiple Emmy nominee is also an outspoken advocate for oral cancer awareness, having suffered through the disease herself. Currently, following multiple surgeries, she is in remission.

Barbara was a troublemaker who had her fair share of trouble, being shot, burned, nearly trampled by a bull, and kidnapped and married multiple times! Longtime fans recall her tumultuous history with ex-husband James Stenbeck, but when the soap went off the air, Barbara was happily married to younger man Henry.

Join us in wishing Zenk all the best and take a walk down Memory Lane in our gallery of ATWT photos from throughout the years! And to keep up with your favorite ATWT stars, keep reading the CBS edition of Soaps In Depth!

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On location in the '80s with the late Anthony Herrera (James)
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With the late Benjamin Hendrickson at Hal and Barbara's 1988 wedding, attended by Tamara Tunie (Jessica), Eileen Fulton (Lisa), Martha Byrne (Lily), Kathryn Hays (Kim), Michael Genet (Lamar), Andrew Kavovit (Paul), Brian Bloom (Dusty), and Don Hasting (Bob)
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With Eileen Fulton (Lisa) and the late Helen Wagner (Nancy) in a scene from 2010
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After so many funerals for James Stenbeck, Barbara wants to make extra-sure this one in 2009 sticks! With Kelly Menighan Hensley (Emily), Roger Howarth (Paul), and Anthony Herrera (James).
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With Anthony Herrera (James) and Hugo Napier (Gunnar) in the classic 1982 storyline where Barbara flashed back to bizarre visions of a previous life
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Giving some attitude to Ellen Dolan's Margo at the Oakdale Police Station in a 2009 episode
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Posing with Danny Pintauro as a very young Paul back in the '80s
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Showing off her impressive dance skills with Trent Dawson's Henry at Metro in a 2010 episode
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After being diagnosed with oral cancer in 2008, Barbara retreated to a church to reevaluate her life choices.
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Oakdale gathered together on March 26, 1986 to celebrate Chris and Nancy Hughes' 50th wedding anniversary.
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Clashing with Terri Garber's scheming Iris in an episode from 2007
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With Justine Cotsonas' Sofie, celebrating the re-opening of Metro in 2008 under the new ownership of Maura West's Carly
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Attending Bob and Kim's wedding in 1985 with Henderson Forsythe (David), Conrad Fowkes (Don), Gregg Marx (Tom), Scott DeFreitas (Andy), Don Hastings (Bob), Kathryn Hays (Kim), Lindsey Frost (Betsy), Patricia Bruder (Ellen), and Hillary B. Smith (Margo)
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Having a serious heart-to-heart with Eileen Fulton's Lisa in this scene from 2008
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Barbara was unamused by her creepy surroundings when kidnapped by Iris in 2010.
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With Marie Masters (Susan) and Kelley Menighan Hensley (Emily) in a scene from 2008.
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In 2010, as the soap prepared to go off the air forever, Barbara received a happy ending when she found love with Trent Dawson's Henry and the couple were married.