Bio
Colleen Zenk (formerly credited as Colleen Zenk Pinter) is an American actress best known for her role as Barbara Ryan on the television soap opera As the World Turns, from 1978-2010.
In 2002, she earned her first Daytime Emmy Award nomination in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category. She was nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2001.
The actress made her Broadway debut in the role of Rosie in Bring Back Birdie, opposite Chita Rivera and Donald O'Connor, and her film debut in John Huston's adaptation of the Broadway musical Annie.
Zenk has toured extensively with the Army Special Services in Europe as well as in national tours in productions such as They're Playing Our Song, Where's Charley, Can Can, The Star-Spangled Girl and Barefoot in the Park.
She has worked professionally since the age of nine and began to focus on acting while attending Catholic University of America, where she majored in theatre.
She met her former husband, actor Mark Pinter, when they were both on As the World Turns. They are the parents of a family of six - four girls and two boys.
With her husband, Zenk devoted much time to the national chapters of Easter Seals, the March of Dimes, and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. They also volunteered their time and talents for Bread and Roses, an AIDS hospice/facility in Connecticut.
For these charities and other causes, the Pinters produced and/or starred in productions of Love Letters throughout the country.
In May 2010, it was announced that Zenk was suing for divorce. The divorce was finalized in August 2010.
In 2007, Zenk was diagnosed with oral cancer. Through a series of four surgeries including brachytherapy radiation, Zenk's stage II cancer was treated.
Zenk's hobbies are evident in her home surroundings. Hobbies include interior design, 18th and 19th century antiques and gardening.
She was born in Barrington, Illinois.