Time After Time/Soap World

When it comes to acting The Young and The Restless has always had some top quality actors. Whether they are currently or the show or have gone on to other things you can always know that if Y&R hired them they were going to give a performance of a life time. 

With so many actors to go through it was hard coming up with a top 5 list.  But when I thought about the criteria of having to have that special acting quality it became easier and easier to sort through the good and the bad of the actors from the #1 daytime drama to get down to the most talented.      

5. Eric Braeden (Victor Newman)

Eric Braeden plays the bad guy you love to hate and has that scowl down pat.  He has over the years as an actor grown tremendously into one who can make you believe in that in Victor’s world all bad deeds are just par for the course.            

4. Greg Rekkart (Kevin Fisher)

Since the actor Greg Rekkart first popped on the scene as Kevin Fisher he has popped off the screen. From sleeping with an underage girl, trying to kill another, and even through his redemption the actor has been able to humanize Kevin to the point of audience sympathy.  Greg is a part of that select few group of young actors (Micheal Graziadei and Billy Miller being the others) who are the future of the show. 

3. Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott)

Personal issues aside Peter Bergman is an excellent talent who can switch between comedic and dramatic performances in a matter of seconds.  While a few of his regular scene partners over the years were still in acting training mode Peter was already off and running.  He's the scene stealing, wise cracking, king of one-liners Jack Abbott. And yet as Jack he also embodies an emotional patriarchal side which shows the depths of his loves for his family. 

2. Keith Hamilton Cobb (Damon Porter)

Keith Hamilton Cobb is the one who got away. Why Y&R let this talented actor go I do not know.  He has a presence like no other and is one of the few actors who has the looks and talent that a select few daytime stars possess.  This is an actor who can express a wide range of emotions from deep sadness, to repressed anger, to a love that conquers all.  Cobb played Damon as a friend, lover, protector, and tormented soul all wrapped up into one. He produced the kind of performances too few men in daytime have been able to achieve.  I would say forget recasting Malcolm and just bring him back as Damon!

1. Christian J. LaBlanc (Michael Baldwin)

Man oh man Christian J. LeBlanc is an actor who has won 3 daytime Emmy's as a leading actor, is what they say he is. He's an actor's actor!  He's the best male actor in all of daytime. Who could have know all those years ago when he first entered the scene and spent most of the 90's as a supporting player that he was THIS talented. When it comes to his acting chops he has everyone on Y&R beat even when the scene is not about him. Christian can even make sense of subpar writing and still let you know that he is BRINGING IT.  So There is no competition.  Christian is hands down Y&R’s best actor. 

Now share with me your top 5 male actors on the Young and The Restless.