Dee Freeman, a veteran actress best known for her role as Valerie Barnes in Tyler Perry’s Sistas, died on April 2, 2026, at the age of 66 after a brave battle with stage 4 lung cancer. Her family posted the news on Instagram, saying that she died peacefully with loved ones by her side after a “fearless” fight with the disease. Fans and coworkers mourned the Marine Corps veteran who brought depth to more than 80 theater and TV roles.
Dee Freeman went from serving in the military to acting. She made her screen debut in 1995 and became famous for her roles in shows like The Young and the Restless, Shameless, and ER. Her portrayal of Andi’s mother in Seasons 9 and 10 of BET’s Sistas was so powerful that plans were made for her to return in Season 11. She was born in Louisiana in 1959 and spent decades building a career in Los Angeles, where she always brought authenticity and strength to her performances.
Freeman talked about her cancer journey openly on social media, posting things like “2 rounds of chemo down… YUCK!” while staying positive. Her family thanked everyone for their support and talked about how strong she was and how her unfinished novel would live on as part of her legacy. People sent in tributes praising her discipline from her time in the Marines and her honest presence on screen.
