Peter Bergman
ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE
SOAP STAR STATS
Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R)
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— CBS
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Vital Statistics
- Birthdate:
- June 11
- Years on Show:
- 1989-present
- Marital Status:
- Married to wife Mariellen
- Children:
- Connor and Clare
The 411
Jack Abbott has always been a bit of a ladies' man. Who knew that his portrayer, Peter Bergman, found his way into acting by chasing after a girl? And lucky for daytime and his fans, he did.
As the son of a Navy career man, Bergman was born in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. He and his three siblings were shuttled around America during their childhood, which taught him how to make friends easily, but left him with a distaste for military life.
In high school, he was pursuing a girl who was auditioning for a role in Peter Pan. To impress her, he let himself be talked into auditioning for Captain Hook. Much to his surprise, he landed the role and got bit by the acting bug.
After high school and a year of college, Bergman and a friend relocated to New York City. He spent a year slaving away in construction to save money for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. In New York, he worked as a phone solicitor for Cerebral Palsy and as a janitor at night.
It was during this period that he met and married his first wife, actress Christine Ebersole. They separated temporarily for a year and then divorced in 1981.
In 1979, Bergman auditioned for the role of Jeff Martin on ALL MY CHILDREN. He won the part, but at the last minute, Creator Agnes Nixon decided to run with another storyline. He wound up as one half of the classic supercouple Cliff and Nina.
After 10 years, he was abruptly fired from AMC. Bergman moved his pregnant wife, Mariellen (whom he'd met on a blind date and wed in 1985) and their son, Connor, to California, where he took over the role of Jack Abbott on YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS from Terry Lester, who originated the part in 1980.
It's almost impossible to picture handsome, charming, somewhat salty Jack being played by anyone else than Peter Bergman. Despite a sudden departure from Pine Valley, he has found a welcome home in Genoa City.
Et Cetera
— Once worked as a bricklayer
— A crossword puzzle addict, he particularly thrives on the challenge of the New York Times.
— Learned to play the piano when he was 20.
— Starred in a commercial for a cough syrup with the line. "I'm not a doctor, but I play one on TV" circa 1986.
— Has won Emmys for Outstanding Lead Actor in 1991, 1992 and 2002.
Career Highlights
Other Soap Roles
ALL MY CHILDREN (Cliff, 1979-87, 1988-89)
TV Roles
THE KING OF QUEENS (Himself, 2001)
THE NANNY (Himself, 1997)
THE FIVE MRS. BUCHANANS (Clyde, 1994)
WOMAN ON THE LEDGE (Bob, 1993)
DANIELLE STEELE'S PALOMINO (Warren, 1991)
MONEY, POWER, MURDER (Brant, 1989)
FANTASIES (Larry, 1982)
KOJAK (Bo, 1976)
Film Roles
Phantom of the Ritz (Ed, 1992)
Memorable Quotes
"Acting just felt right to me. There was a fascination with the glamour and glitter, though the longer you're in the business, the less sense that makes. I was also told I was a 'natural' and liked hearing that a lot."—On finding his calling, Soap Opera Digest, 8/19/80
"The effects of what happened will linger for a very long time. I don't think I'll unpack my bags here anytime soon. My faith in the industry and the sense of family with a network was completely blown. And that's a shame because I've always been a company man. In terms of Y&R, I am ever faithful to this show, but I don't know if I will ever relax in a job again."—On first landing a job at Y&R after being fired from AMC, Digest, 6/15/99
"Eileen is very much the real thing. I love the honesty, the clarity, the simplicity of her work. She pushes my buttons. This actress can get under my skin in a way the others just couldn't. They were terrific ladies and I loved working with them, but this one will bring things out of me that surprise me."—On Eileen Davidson, his current Ashley, Digest, 8/15/00
