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PROFILE

Christian J. LeBlanc

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

SOAP STAR STATS

Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R)

Christian J. LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R)

— CBS

Vital Statistics

Birthday:: August 25
Years On Show:: 1991-1993; 1997-present
Marital Status:: Single

The 411

Christian J. LeBlanc began his career all wet — literally. Born in Fayetteville, NC, LeBlanc grew up in New Orleans as the second oldest of eight children whose father, retired Major Andre Victor LeBlanc, is a decorated veteran and winner of the Bronze Star. As a college student at Tulane University, LeBlanc was a pre-med major until a fateful meeting changed his life. LeBlanc was doing laps in the school's swimming pool when he was approached by a photographer who suggested he look into modeling. He did, acting soon followed, then AS THE WORLD TURNS came calling.

After his contract was up, LeBlanc went West, where he did a string of appearances in prime-time, including a one-year gig as Deputy Junior Abernathy on IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT. LeBlanc was let go when producers decided to change the direction of the drama. Consequently, the actor hit the audition circuit and notched several more guest gigs in his belt, until YOUNG AND RESTLESS offered him the plum role of slick, smart, sociopathic attorney Michael Baldwin.

LeBlanc was a great fit, but Michael was written into a corner after sexually harassing pristine Christine, and later attacking her in her apartment. LeBlanc's character was written off, though then-Executive Producer/Head Writer William J. Bell told the actor that he'd be back. LeBlanc hit the boards, and in 1995, he appeared opposite stage legends Julie Harris (ex-Lilimae, KNOTS LANDING) and Eileen Brennan in Ladies in Retirement.

Bell stayed true to his word, and in 1997, Michael, having done the time for his crimes, was paroled and returned to the Genoa City fold, where he remains to this day.

Never content to be complacent, LeBlanc has immersed himself in other activities outside of the studio. An award-winning artist who is currently writing and illustrating his first children's novel, LeBlanc's premiere art show opened at Anton's Gallery in Washington D.C. to critical acclaim. In 2000, he produced and starred in his first short film, Puppy Love, which co-starred Tricia Cast (ex-Nina, Y&R) and fellow New Orleanian Grace Zabriskie (ex-Sarah, TWIN PEAKS; ex-Theda, SANTA BARBARA). The film was named Best Short American Film at the Los Angeles International Short Film Awards in 2001, and at the New York International Film and Video Festival that same year.

A world traveler, LeBlanc's journeys have taken him to Europe, Australia and the Middle East, but after New Orleans, he considers Genoa City his home.

Et Cetera

— Once worked as a busboy at New York's Helmsley Palace under the infamous "Queen Of Mean," Leona Helmsley. "She was terrifying," he told Digest in 1992. "The hotel would get a call that she was on her way, and the place would erupt."
— An avid fan of genealogy, LeBlanc has traced his family roots back to the 1800s.
— Worked as a substitute teacher in the Los Angeles school district.
— Nearly seven years after Michael gave Danny a kidney in 1998, "Every now and then, I sit down and make a little moaning noise so they remember that."

Awards

— Four Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actor, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004.
— Won the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2007
— Nominated for a Soap Opera Digest Award for Favorite Return, 1998

Career Highlights

Other Soap Roles
AS THE WORLD TURNS (ex-Kirk, 1983-85)
TV Roles
EDIT POINT (Reporter, 1982)
RIPTIDE (Guest star, 1986)
HOTEL (Daniel,1986)
CHEERS (Assistant #2, 1987)
IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT (Patrolman Junior Abernathy, 1988)
E.A.R.T.H. FORCE (Guest star, 1990)
GABRIEL'S FIRE (Kyle, 1991)
MONSTERS (Guest star, 1991)
SEEDS OF TRAGEDY (Driver, 1991)
PERRY MASON: THE CASE OF THE KILLER KISS (Sheriff, 1993)
RED SHOE DIARIES (Leonardo, 1994)
DIAGNOSIS MURDER (Coach Campbell, 1995)
Film Roles
The Disturbance at Dinner (Pat in the Box, 1997)
Puppy Love (John, 2000)
Theater Roles
Ladies In Retirement (Albert, 1995)
No Orchids For Miss Blandish (Mr. Lucie, 1999)

Memorable Quotes

"My first agent said, 'It sounds like the male equivalent of Fifi La Tour.'" — on using his full name, Christian Jules LeBlanc, as a stage name." — Soap Opera Digest, 5/26/92

"New York is like Disneyland for adults." — on his love for the Big Apple Digest, 5/20/03

"I was getting huge welts on my back. I thought, 'This looks great!' " — on his "nasty sex" scenes with Sandra Nelson (ex-Phyllis) Digest, 4/27/04