Y&R's Thom Bierdz chats with Soaps-Now!

Recently, viewers were shocked when Thom Bierdz's Phillip Chancellor III returned to town, when he apparently died in a car accident! However after 20 years of absence, the actor and character has made a triumphant re-entrance back into Genoa City. Thom originally appeared as Phillip from 1986 to 1989, and then appeared in a dream sequence of Katherine's in 2004. Since his Y&R beginnings, Bierdz has made a name for himself as a popular artist. His younger brother Troy, who suffered from paranoid schizophrenia, beat their mother to death, and a decade later his other brother Craig committed suicide. Bierdz wrote a book about his experience, called Forgiving Troy, which became a best-seller, and and talked about Bierdz tragic family past and how he forgave. I recently dished with Bierdz on several topics including coming back to Y&R, future storylines, and about himself.

When I asked him about returning to Y&R, he said: "In late February I met Y&R producer Josh O'Connell and head writer Maria Arena Bell who wanted to bring Phillip back to the show for May sweeps. We all liked the idea of Phillip being gay and saw lengthy storyline possibilities." When regarding with working with actors he worked with years ago he stated, "I love Jeanne [Cooper, Katherine] like she's my family and think the world of Tricia [Cast, Nina] as a friend and actress. Jess Walton has always been loving and nurturing, so it's been great to see them and work with them. Bierdz said that his only acting since Y&R had been minimal apperances on Matlock, Murder She Wrote, and Melrose Place. I asked Thom about a possible return for Lauralee Bell as Christine, aka Cricket, and he said there would be so many possibilities and that he would love to work with Bell.

He went back in time as I asked him how life for him in the late '80's during his time on the show, and how was the show. Bierdz said, "I was a shy skinny kid from Wisconsin and it was the number one show. It was very exciting!"

When I asked Thom about his heartthrob status now compared to him being called a young hunk in the '80's, and his feelings on that, he said, "Personally I did not think I was near as attractive as the other soap guys 20 years ago. I much prefer the way I look today. Of course, I dye my gray sideburns black. It amuses me that people think it's a wig."

I had heard side-sets that Bierdz painting could be a possible aspect of the storyline, and about that information, Thom said that he and the producers had already discussed that, and he hoped that would happen.

Thom's Y&R return was one of those like All My Children's Jesse (Darnell Williams). Both characters had already appeared in a dream sequence as they visited (in Thom's case) characters from heaven. Well seems like Phillip just hadn't made it to the better place yet, and that Katherine's 2004 dream sequence with Phillip was her imagination. Bierdz said that he had no idea that after that 2004 appearance, that he would ever be on Y&R like this again.

When I asked him about the actors on set, and who he would like to work with, Thom said that he is thoroughly excited working with Elizabeth Hendrickson (Chloe) and Billy Miller (Billy) now. He also said he hopes he could work with Eileen Davidson (Ashley), whom he said he adores, and Tracy E. Bregman (Lauren).

Next, I went on to ask Thom about a new version of his book Forgiving Troy. There is a slightly revised version out, but he told me if you've read a previous version, no need to read this one. Copies can be purchased at www.thombierdz.com

Then I got down to the big question, should we expect to see Phillip on for the long run? Thom said, "I would like to make this stay a long one. It is not up to me, but Y&R listens to viewers so I urge viewers to write in to Y&R if they would like Phillip to remain on the show. I think there is plenty to be developed as Phillip learns to give more to his son and family. And why not a love story?"

When I concluded and asked him about the return and reveal as a whole, he said, "
I am honored to have this part at this time! Maria Arena Bell said to me "You'll always be the REAL Phillip," and it really touched me. I mean, I have no right legally to the part but I am grateful to be included in this show at this time."


Thanks for checking out our interview with Thom! Watch him on The Young and the Restless, and check his official website, www.thombierdz.com. Don't forget to keep checking Soaps-Now! for the latest Y&R and Thom Bierdz news!