Today marks an amazing milestone: It is 30 years since Christian LeBlanc first appeared on television screens as The Young and the Restless' Michael Baldwin, and the CBS soap opera is celebrating the beloved actor's special anniversary in not one but two super fun ways.
The first is with a "Look Back" video published to the show's social media accounts. The project is a nostalgic walk down memory lane of Michael's time in Genoa City, which has been filled with many -- and we mean many -- ups and downs over the last three decades. There's even a clip that LeBlanc calls "the longest This Old House episode ever." Can you guess what it was? Check out the clip below to see if you're right.
Happy 30th Anniversary, @CJLeBlanc! ?? In honor of his milestone with #YR, he's looking back on some of his most memorable scenes as Michael Baldwin. ?? Tell us yours to celebrate with him! pic.twitter.com/Ru9Q9NJ3eb
— Young and Restless (@YandR_CBS) November 26, 2021
The second way Y&R will be celebrating LeBlanc's milestone moment is with a special episode dedicated to the actor and his portrayer that will be airing sometime in January 2022. The CBS soap opera has yet to release any additional details, but we can guarantee it will be can't-miss television for Michael fans!
LeBlanc's Michael appeared on-screen for the first time on November 26, 1991, and was nothing like the Michael that fans know today. The character was a hot shot lawyer at a prestigious law firm who took newbie Christine "Cricket" Blair (Lauralee Bell) under his wing. However, he quickly caused a stir when he unexpectedly planted a kiss on Christine and suggested a more "friendly" relationship in exchange for her moving up in the hierarchy.
Rather than give in to his inappropriate suggestion, Christine filed a sexual harassment lawsuit against Michael and found a slew of other women who claimed he'd done the same to them. Things only got worse from there, with Michael exacting his revenge by attacking Christine in her bedroom. Fortunately, Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) rushed in and saved her just in time, and Michael was sent to jail.
Four years later, Michael returned to Genoa City a (mostly) rehabilitated man and helped save Danny's (Michael Damian) life, which eventually convinced Christine to give Michael a second chance. He also went about restoring his legal career and began working with GC heavy hitters like Katherine Chancellor (Jeanne Cooper), whom he represented, and Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), whom he fought against.
Michael's journey on the Y&R canvas went on to include several romances with women like Isabella Braña (Eva Longoria), Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman), and even his original foe, Christine. His 30-year journey has also included a lot of family drama -- which isn't a surprise, considering his mother is scheming Gloria (Judith Chapman) and his brother is troubled Kevin (Greg Rikaart)!
Of course, that's just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the drama that has happened during Michael's time in Genoa City. To get the full scoop, check out Soap Central's in-depth Michael Baldwin character profile and be sure to check out Y&R's special "Look Back" video when it posts today.
Though LeBlanc has come to best be known as Y&R's Michael, he has several other acting credits to his name, including Venice the Series, Fumbling Thru the Pieces, In the Heat of the Night, and As the World Turns (where he played Kirk McColl in the 1980s and Michael Baldwin in the mid-2000s). The New Orleans native is also an accomplished artist and recently launched a new website where many of his paintings and other works of art are for sale.
Would you like to congratulate Christian LeBlanc on his 30th anniversary at Y&R? What are some of your favorite memories from Michael's three decades in Genoa City? What do you hope the powers that be have planned for the special Michael Baldwin episode set to air in January? We want to hear from you -- so drop your comments in the Comments section below, tweet about it on Twitter, share it on Facebook, or chat about it on our Message Boards.
