The Young and the Restless star Sharon Case celebrates her birthday

The Young and the Restless character Sharon Newman celebrated both her husband, Nick, and their son, Noah, surviving car crashes over the last few months. Now, Sharon's portrayer, Sharon Case, is celebrating something special -- her birthday!

The Young and the Restless, Sharon Case, Happy Birthday!

Nick and Sharon on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

Born on February 9, in Detroit, Michigan, Case moved to Chatsworth, California, as a young girl. She took an early interest in the arts, taking classes in ballet and jazz.

Case's first soap role was playing Dawn, the daughter of Monica Quartermaine (the late Leslie Charleson) on General Hospital. After her turn on the ABC medical soap came to an end, Case moved 3000 miles across the country to take on the role of Debbie Simon on As the World Turns.

Case returned to Southern California to accept a role in the short-lived syndicated soap opera (that was only seen in select markets), Valley of the Dolls, based on the 1967 movie. Case played the role of Anne Wells, which was brought to the big screen by Barbara Parkins, best known to TV viewers as Betty Anderson on Peyton Place.

Two actresses brought Sharon to life prior to Case taking over the role. The third time was the charm! Case stepped into the role, quickly making it her own. Nick (Joshua Morrow) and Sharon became Y&R's young love storyline. They conquered many hurdles on the road to romance, marrying in early 1996.

Case won the Daytime Emmy in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for playing Sharon in 1999.

Life after Cassie

Sharon was reunited with Cassie's twin, Mariah, years after Cassie died on The Young and the Restless | Image: JPI

Nick and Sharon were faced with a relationship-altering challenge in 2005 when their daughter, Cassie (Camryn Grimes, now Mariah), died following injuries she sustained in a car accident.

Nick and Sharon's marriage didn't survive after Nick fell in love with Phyllis (Michelle Stafford), whom he later married. On her deathbed, Cassie predicted that Nick and Sharon would have another daughter someday. They did when Sharon gave birth to Nick's daughter, Faith (Reylynn Caster).

Sharpn's had other love interests and/or husbands, including Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman), Adam Newman (Mark Grossman), and Cameron Kirsten (Linden Ashby). Over the last year, Sharon and Nick have been thrust together in a few adventures. They traveled to France last year, where Nick almost lost his life.

They returned to Genoa City only to later find that Noah had been hurt in a car accident, which brought Matt Clark (Roger Howarth) back into their lives.