Soap Veteran Michelle Stafford Pays Tribute to Her Journalist Uncle

Daytime vet Michelle Stafford is back playing Phyllis on The Young and the Restless after originating the role of Nina on General Hospital, and fans couldn’t be happier to see her back in Genoa City.

Michelle Stafford Recalls Childhood Memories

The actress, like most Americans, has the election on her mind. That led Stafford to get a little nostalgic on social media Tuesday night, posting a tribute to her uncle on Instagram.

“Wanted to share this picture of my Uncle with President Ford… My Uncle Jim was a journalist in DC for years. He was quite respected, still is,” Stafford wrote next to the photo, which she noted wasn’t posed—they were having a conversation. “He was chosen to cover and fly with President Ford during his time in office and then traveled with and covered Secretary of State Shultz during the Reagan tenure. The stories he had… they are damn good stories, trust me. He flew around the world for years.”

Stafford recalled how she and her family would often travel to Washington, D.C., and watch her uncle work by sitting in on sessions at the Capitol.

“I met many politicians and heard their ‘off the cuff’ stories,” the actress said. “Politics fascinated me then. My Uncle was a journalist in a very different time. Journalism has changed quite a bit. My Uncle Jim is still very respected in Washington. He’s very humble. I am very proud of him. He still lives right down the street from the Capitol.”

With uncertainty in the election even a day after Nov. 3, Stafford wants people to continue with good thoughts and living happy lives.

“One thing I know… whatever happens in an election, however it goes, tomorrow is another day,” she wrote. “We will all get up and live our lives and love who we love and support who and what we support.”