Sony Pictures Television, producer of “The Young and the Restless,” has signed actor Peter Bergman to a new five-year contract which will keep him in Genoa City as the character Jack Abbott, a role he has played on the daytime drama series since 1989.
According to Deadline, which first reported the news, Bergman’s deal is a rare one as soaps typically hand out one to four-year contracts while Bergman’s is for five. In fact, Bergman is now signed on for a period longer than the show itself. In January 2020, CBS renewed the soap for an additional four years which will keep the series on the network through the 2023-2024 television season – it’s expected that the show will receive another significant renewal deal before the current one expires as the show remains the most-watched daily scripted series on American television and the most-watched daytime drama series overall. The soap has remained number one for 34 years.
Receiving 24 Daytime Emmy Award nominations throughout his career in the category of Outstanding Lead Performance In A Drama Series: Actor, including last night’s presentation, Bergman won in 1991, 1992, and 2002 for his portrayal of Jack Abbott on “Y&R.” He received his first nomination in 1983 for his portrayal as Dr. Cliff Warner on “All My Children” (1979-1989).
In addition to “Y&R,” Bergman has played himself or Jack Abbott on other television shows, including “The Nanny,” “The Bold and the Beautiful” and “The King of Queens.” In 2015, he played a dual role for the first time on “Y&R,” appearing as Jack and Marco Annicelli who was hired by Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) to take over the real Jack’s life.