Patsy Pease isn't exactly a name you hear whispered in every Hollywood hallway anymore, but for soap fans? She’s legendary. If you grew up watching Days of Our Lives in the '80s, Kimberly Brady was probably your hero. Or maybe she was your fashion icon. Honestly, she was both. But lately, the question of what is Patsy Pease doing now has become a bit of a mystery for the casual viewer.
She hasn't been a "regular" on the screen for years. That’s intentional.
Life happens. For Patsy, life meant stepping away from the 14-hour studio days to focus on things that actually matter—like her family and her own mental well-being. But 2025 and 2026 have brought some surprising updates that have the "Kimberly and Shane" stans (yes, they still exist) buzzing on message boards.
The 2025 Bombshell: Kimberly Brady’s Health Battle
So, let's get into the recent drama. If you’ve been keeping up with Days on Peacock, you might have felt a bit of a gut punch recently. In March 2025, the show dropped a massive plot point that brought Patsy's character back into the conversation, even if she wasn't physically in every scene.
Shane Donovan—played by the ever-charming Charles Shaughnessy—confessed on-screen that Kimberly’s cancer had returned.
It was a heavy moment. It explained why their daughter, Theresa, had to rush off-screen to be with her mother. Fans were devastated. But it also sparked a flurry of rumors. Is Patsy coming back to film a goodbye? Is she sick in real life?
Let’s be clear: the cancer storyline is fictional.
Patsy herself is doing okay. In fact, she’s been quite open over the last few years about her real-life journey, which involves a much different kind of battle than the one Kimberly is facing.
Living with Bipolar Disorder
You’ve got to admire her guts. Back in 2016, Patsy did something most celebrities would never dream of. She went public with her bipolar disorder diagnosis.
She didn't do it for attention. She did it because she felt a "social responsibility." She’s talked openly about how untreated mental illness is a silent killer and how she didn't want to contribute to the "shame" anymore.
"I thought I was just a bad person," she once shared. Learning she was actually a "sick person" changed everything.
Nowadays, much of what she does involves advocacy. She isn't just an actress; she’s an accredited teacher for the American Film Institute and the S.A.G. Conservatory. She works as a fitness consultant. She teaches dance. Basically, she’s busy living a full, grounded life that doesn't require a script or a teleprompter.
Will She Ever Return to Salem for Good?
The "will she or won't she" game is exhausting.
The truth is, Patsy has popped back to Days several times—2013, 2015, 2016. Each time, fans hope she'll stay. But the reality of the soap industry in 2026 is different than it was in 1984. Shows have moved to streaming. Budgets are tighter.
Patsy has been very vocal about why she left full-time acting in the first place. She had a "critical situation" with her son decades ago. She chose motherhood over the red carpet.
"It never ceases to amaze me that folks still remember my work," she told TV Fanatic.
She knows her fans are loyal. And with Days of Our Lives celebrating its 60th anniversary in November 2025, the rumors of a Kimberly Brady appearance haven't stopped. While the show has confirmed returns for characters like Sami Brady and Jack Deveraux, Patsy’s involvement is often kept under wraps until the very last second.
Beyond the Soap World: The Bay and Teaching
If you're looking for her work outside of Salem, you should check out The Bay. She joined the cast as Lola Baker a few years back and even snagged a Daytime Emmy nomination for it. It proved she still has those powerhouse acting chops.
But her day-to-day life is much more academic.
She loves teaching. There’s a certain peace in helping the next generation of actors find their voice without the pressure of being a "supercouple." She's 69 now—turning 70 in July 2026—and she seems perfectly content being a grandmother and a mentor rather than a tabloid fixture.
What Most People Get Wrong
People assume that if a celebrity isn't on TV, they must be "retired" or "struggling."
That’s rarely the case with veteran soap stars. Patsy Pease is a prime example of a woman who took control of her narrative. She didn't wait for Hollywood to stop calling; she decided when she was done answering.
She lives in California. She stays active in the SAG-AFTRA community. She spends time with her kids.
So, when you ask what is Patsy Pease doing now, the answer isn't a single project. It’s a lifestyle. She’s a teacher. She’s an advocate. She’s a survivor. And yes, she’s still Kimberly Brady to millions of us, whether she’s on our screens this week or not.
👉 See also: Terri J. Vaughn and Karon Riley: Why This Hollywood Marriage Actually Works
How to Keep Up with Patsy in 2026
- Watch for Anniversary Specials: Keep an eye on Days of Our Lives on Peacock, especially during "Sweeps" months or anniversary events.
- Check Independent Series: She occasionally pops up in digital dramas like The Bay.
- Support Mental Health Advocacy: Much of her modern "work" is through the stories she tells about her diagnosis to help others.
- Follow Official Fan Clubs: Since she keeps a low profile on mainstream social media, verified fan groups are usually the first to know about a guest appearance.
The best way to respect her journey is to acknowledge the bravery it took to prioritize her family and her health over the fame of the 1980s. She gave us Kimberly; now, she's giving herself the life she deserves.