Zenk's representative insists she's fighting the charges and hasn't been convicted, emphasizing that 'the truth will be played out in court.' The spin frames this as an ongoing legal battle where she's presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Insiders are raising eyebrows at what looks like a pattern—three DUI arrests spanning 16 years suggests something deeper than a one-time mistake. Sources close to the actress say her inner circle is 'concerned' and hoping she seeks help if convicted this time around.
Zenk's breath samples measured 0.206 and 0.192 BAC—more than double Florida's legal limit of 0.08. She has two prior DUI incidents on her record: a 2010 arrest for erratic driving and a first-offense DUI in 2017. Her next court date is July 29.
Three DUIs across 16 years isn't a mistake—it's a pattern. If convicted, Zenk faces serious consequences that could end whatever remains of her daytime TV comeback.
Colleen Zenk, the soap opera legend best known for her decades-long run as Barbara Ryan on 'As the World Turns,' is facing fresh legal trouble after allegedly crashing her car while drunk in Florida last month. The 73-year-old actress was arrested in May following a two-vehicle incident that left her slapped with two misdemeanor charges: DUI causing damage to property or another person and DUI with a blood alcohol level of 0.15 or higher. According to an arrest report obtained by Soap Opera Network, a witness observed Zenk backing out of a handicap parking space before her vehicle struck a parked car. Instead of stopping, sources say she allegedly continued driving until authorities pulled her over. When officers approached, Zenk showed obvious signs of impairment—unsteady on her feet, swaying, the works. A responding sergeant reported detecting the odor of alcohol emanating from her person. During questioning at the scene, Zenk admitted to consuming "two wine cups" before getting behind the wheel. She agreed to perform field sobriety exercises but struggled mightily, displaying poor balance and difficulty following basic instructions. Deputies placed her under arrest after she failed those tests. Here's where it gets really damning: Zenk provided two breath samples during processing that measured a staggering 0.206 and 0.192 BAC—nearly triple Florida's legal limit of 0.08. She posted bond shortly after her arrest and entered a not guilty plea to both charges. Her next scheduled court appearance is a hearing on July 29, where she'll have to answer for these allegations. "The charges are being defended," her representative told People in a statement. "Ms. Zenk has not been convicted of anything. The truth will be played out in court." But this isn't some isolated incident. Records show Zenk has accumulated quite the rap sheet when it comes to impaired driving. In 2010, she was arrested after authorities observed her allegedly driving erratically and crossing into an oncoming lane—resulting in DUI-related charges plus an improper lane usage citation. Then came a first-offense DUI charge in 2017. That's three alcohol-related driving incidents spanning 16 years, a pattern that insiders say has her inner circle deeply worried. Despite these legal troubles, Zenk managed to stage a remarkable return to daytime television. After 'As the World Turns' ended in 2010 after an incredible 32-year run where she portrayed Barbara Ryan, she came back to soaps in 2023 with a role on 'The Young and the Restless.' Her character Jordan even shared screen time with Ian Ray Wise's character before being killed off in 2025. "For a 72-year-old woman to be given this kind of opportunity, I'd jump in again," Zenk told TV Insider at the time. That comeback now hangs in the balance as she navigates these serious criminal charges that could derail everything she's rebuilt over the past few years.
