On The Young and the Restless, Michelle Stafford plays Phyllis Summers. This week, it will be Stafford’s 59th birthday on September 14, 2024, and she has much to celebrate.
Since originating the role in 1994, Stafford has developed Phyllis into one of the most well-known characters in soap opera history, and one that Genoa City residents—and viewers—sometimes love to hate.
Who is Michelle Stafford from The Young and the Restless?
Stafford was born in Chicago, Illinois, but grew up in Montrose, California, with her parents and sister.
Before becoming an actor, Stafford began her career as a model. Through her job, she traveled to Japan, France, and Italy. Stafford lived in Italy for a year and learned to speak the Italian language, but then she caught the acting bug and moved to Hollywood.
Stafford lives in Los Angeles with her son and daughter. She had a blog about the joys of singlehood and parenting called “Doing it as a Single Chick.”
Michelle Stafford’s career on and off The Young and the Restless
Michelle Stafford’s first acting role on a soap opera was on Tribes in 1990. She also did commercials, guest-starred on various popular TV shows, and performed in plays. Stafford gained the most fame when she landed the role of Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless.
Phyllis’ time in Genoa City was supposed to be temporary. Within the first month, the producers knew that viewers wanted more of Phyllis Summers.
Stafford has appeared on many TV shows, notably Pacific Palisades in 1997, where she played Joanna Hadley. From 2014 to 2019, Stafford went to General Hospital to play Nina Reeves.
Stafford also created, executive produced, and starred in her own digital show. On its YouTube channel, The Stafford Project is described as “a comedy web series about a soap star who juggles being a single mom, her career & gettin' her groove on.” Entertainment Weekly called it "hilarious" and the show was named "the web series to watch" by TV Guide’s Hot List.
In another digital project, Stafford wrote, directed, and starred with her daughter in the Nickelodeon series Secret Mind of a Single Mom.
Michelle Stafford champions for charities
Stafford volunteers and fundraises for the Hollywood Education and Literacy Project and Citizens Commission on Human Rights. She is also noted to be very nice, as is evidenced by a gym event.
When honored by the National Foundation for Women Legislators for her human rights campaigning, Stafford said in her biography, “You come to the realization that you have to help. Are you part of the solution or the problem? Or are you just sitting on the side eating a cheese sandwich watching your world deteriorate? I’d rather do something to change conditions. That one person I help could help two, and then they could help three others and so on and so on… It’s important.”
Stafford also founded and is the CEO of Skin Care Nation, which offers organic and natural skin care products.
Michelle Stafford is an award-winning actor
Stafford has been nominated thirteen times for a Daytime Emmy Award and has won three times. She also won three out of the five nominations she received for a Soap Opera Digest Award.
“I am honored to be an actor, it is the greatest gig in the sky. It is a privilege. I am honored to entertain people. I am honored to be here amongst you all tonight, truly.” - Michelle Stafford in her acceptance speech at the Daytime Emmy Awards, 2024
In her 2024 Emmy speech, Stafford acknowledged her stepfather, Joe, who had recently passed. She also thanked executive producer and head writer Josh Griffith for letting her cry during their business meeting about her grief. Stafford elaborated later on Instagram that it was a very human moment with a member of her work family.
“Yes, it’s a workplace, our set. For sure. We’ve all been working together for a long time. It’s a professional environment, but we all really care about each other,” the actress noted.
Watch Michelle Stafford as Phyllis Summers on The Young and the Restless, which airs weekdays on CBS.
