Veteran soap opera actress Colleen Zenk, best known for her decades-long portrayal of Barbara Ryan on As the World Turns and more recently Jordan Howard on The Young and the Restless, is facing new legal trouble after being arrested on DUI charges in Florida.
According to court records, the 73-year-old actress was arrested on May 15 in Collier County, Florida, following a two-vehicle crash in a shopping center parking lot. Authorities charged Zenk with DUI resulting in damage to property or another person and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher, both misdemeanor offenses.
Investigators say a witness told deputies that Zenk backed out of a handicapped parking space and struck a parked vehicle before allegedly attempting to leave the scene. The witness also claimed the actress appeared unsteady after exiting her vehicle. Responding officers reported detecting the odor of alcohol and launched a DUI investigation.
According to the arrest report, Zenk told officers she had consumed “two wine cups” at a nearby restaurant before the crash. Authorities allege she showed multiple signs of impairment during field sobriety exercises, including balance issues and difficulty following instructions. Breath tests reportedly registered blood alcohol levels of 0.206 and 0.192, both well above Florida’s legal limit of 0.08.
Zenk was released after posting bond the following day and has entered a not guilty plea through her attorney. A representative for the actress said in a statement that “the charges are being defended” and emphasized that Zenk “has not been convicted of anything,” adding that “the truth will be played out in court.” Her next court appearance is scheduled for July 29.
The latest arrest marks Zenk’s third DUI-related case since 2010. She was previously arrested on DUI-related charges in Connecticut in 2010 and again in Collier County, Florida, in 2017.
A three-time Daytime Emmy Award nominee, Zenk became a soap opera icon during her 32-year run on As the World Turns. She returned to daytime television in 2023 with a recurring role on The Young and the Restless, earning praise from longtime fans for her performance as the villainous Jordan Howard.
