The Young and The Restless Spoilers: Christian LeBlanc Talks Playing Michael Baldwin, His Time Away From Y&R and More!

The Young and the Restless updates and spoilers reveal that over the years in Genoa City Christian J. LeBlanc has played fan fave Michael Baldwin in many shades of gray. In the beginning, he was a young and impetuous lawyer who didn’t always play things safe, including his relationship with sultry Phyllis Newman (Michelle Stafford).

Over time he’s been burnished but not entirely tamed, and he’s currently married to Lauren Fenmore (Tracey E. Bregman) and working as the D.A.

He recently had the chance to reflect on his career in an interview with Soap Opera Digest and here we have some of his standout Y&R recollections and memories.

The Young And The Restless Spoilers – Christian LeBlanc Was Off The Show When Michael Went To Prison For Kidnapping And Attempted Murder

Christian found himself out of a job when the show sent Michael to prison. When asked if he expected the role to be recast he was honest saying, “I fully expected it.”

But three years later he was asked back only to turn down the offer. “The first time, I had to say no because the play I was in was going to Broadway. There was no way I was going to bail out of it so I had to say, ‘No thank you.’ Then I found out that we weren’t going to Broadway for many reasons and I was depressed. I don’t know if Bill knew that, but he called me and this time I said, ‘Yes!’ It was magical how it worked out that way.”

Christian recalls what it was like to return to the show, saying, “I had a lot of anxiety about the memorization, … The character of Michael doesn’t allow you to be the stumblebum. You’re paid good money to say these lines and it’s up to you to deliver them. Still, I was terrified in those initial weeks.”

The Young and the Restless Spoilers – Returning To Y&R After Years Away Was A Natural Fit

Christian recalls originating the character, especially as Michael had to, “jump through hoops to get back his law license.” Nonetheless, Michael did lose his license at one point!

Over time he developed a relationship with Lauralee Bell (Christine Williams) and he recalls that she was very sweet, saying in interviews that, “she enjoyed working with me … It was nice to get those little pats on the back.

And what about the fans? Christian appreciates the support he gets from fans even though he remembers one time when, “an old lady smacking me on the shoulder and going, ‘You are so bad,’ but then she laughed. I think the audience can tell when the actor is having fun on screen.”

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