Jack and Nikki have an enduring friendship on The Young and the Restless. And their portrayers Peter Bergman and Melody Thomas Scott are just as close in real-life as they are onscreen. In fact, if it wasn’t for the actress, Bergman might not have gotten his iconic role.
Key Takeaways
- Bergman began playing Jack on Y&R in 1989, taking over from Terry Lester.
- Bergman had recently been fired from All My Children when he received the Y&R offer.
- Scott recommended the actor to producers after seeing his work on AMC.
‘The Next Jack Abbott’
Jack Abbott is a vital character on Y&R, who was introduced in 1980. Terry Lester originated the role of the Abbott patriarch and future Jabot CEO. Jack quickly gained popularity with fans, who couldn’t get enough of Mr. Abbott.
After nine years, Lester decided to leave the CBS soap. Y&R began searching for their next Jack and soon found him with the help of Scott.
During a recent appearance on The Social CTV, Scott and Bergman revealed how she helped him land the role of Jack. The actress was a fan of Bergman’s performance as Cliff on AMC, a role he played from 1979 to 1989. “I was a huge All My Children fan. I learned that they had let him go and I thought they were insane,” Scott explained.
With Bergman out of a job, Scott thought the actor would be a good choice as Jack on Y&R. Scott then approached her husband Edward J. Scott with the idea. “My husband was producing the show at the time, and I said, ‘This is your next Jack Abbott.”
Although Jack and Cliff were two different characters, Scott had confidence in Bergman. “I just knew he could do such a great job, and I was right,” the actress happily exclaimed.
36 Years and Counting
Thanks to Scott’s recommendation, Bergman landed his next iconic role. Although he had big shoes to fill taking over for Lester, he made the role his own.
For 36 years, Bergman has been wowing audiences with his tense and gripping portrayal of Jack. His amazing work has earned him 25 Daytime Emmy nominations and three wins. And there’s no slowing down for the award-winning actor.
Jack remains an integral part of Y&R and is always in many front burner storylines. Whether feuding with Victor (Eric Braeden) or caring for The Abbotts, Bergman’s Jack is one Y&R’s top leading men.
