On His Way Out of The Young and the Restless, Richard Burgi Expresses His Gratitude to His Wife: ‘May You All Find Someone Who Has Your Back’
Monday, January 24th, 2022
The exiting Ashland hoped we’d all find someone as wonderful as his better half.
As you’ve no doubt read, some not-so-great stuff has recently happened in the life of Richard Burgi. Over the holidays, he went back East to visit his family, and upon returning, “I inadvertently violated the show’s COVID rules and protocols.
“I felt terrible about it,” he continued. “I still do. It bothers me mightily, but it is what it is. I respect whatever the show’s decision is.”
The show’s decision, as you’ve likely also read, was to let Burgi go and replace him as Ashland with Robert Newman, the soap legend who for decades played Josh on Guiding Light.
Burgi wasn’t bearing any grudges, though. Far from it, in fact. He noted that the powers that be at the soap, “they’re doing the best they can, as we all are.”
The veteran of everything from Another World to General Hospital to Desperate Housewives even had high hopes for his successor. “I truly wish the gentleman who’s coming in to play Ashland a wonderful time,” he said. “He’s going to be working with the most incredible actress and great, great cast.”
Then, on January 22, Burgi shared a photo that might help explain why he’s able to remain so chill. In it, he’s thisclose with wife Lilliana Lopez, with whom he’ll celebrate his 10th wedding anniversary next month.
“May you all find someone who loves and supports you and has your back!” he cheered, hashtagging his post, among other things, #loveandmarriage.
While you’re here savoring the expression of absolute bliss on Burgi’s face, stop off, why don’t you, at the below photo gallery of more Young & Restless stars and their real-life significant others.
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
1/22
<p>The couple that acts together, stays together… at least that’s been the case for Abby’s portrayer and her handsome hubby, who tied the knot back in 2012. The couple — who have two daughters — got to tie the knot all over again when in late 2020, he temporarily stepped into the role of Chance just in time for their alter egos to become man and wife! </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
2/22
<p>Since joining <em>Young & Restless, </em>Morgan’s played both the ill-fated Hilary Curtis Hamilton and the twin sister who never got to know her, Amanda Sinclair. In real life, the beauty has been married to her guy since since 2012. They have two children together.</p>
Image: Sean Smith/JPI
3/22
<p>The handsome guy who plays Smilin’ Jack on <em>Young and Restless</em> married his second wife in 1985. At the time, he was playing <em>All My Children </em>good guy Cliff Warner. They have two children together.</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
4/22
<p>While mixing business and pleasure rarely works out for the residents of Genoa City, the same definitely can’t be said for Nikki’s portrayer and her hubby. Although now supervising producer at <em>Bold & Beautiful, </em>he was serving as executive producer at <em>Young & Restless </em>when first they met. </p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI
5/22
<p>“Honestly, I couldn’t do what I do without his support,” Cricket’s longtime portrayer told us of the spouse to whom she’s been wed since 1997. The pair have two children who, as she puts it, “are probably old enough that they don’t need me hovering over them. But they still let me, anyways.” </p> <p> </p>
Image: Aaron Montgomery/JPI
6/22
<p>After dating for five years, the couple tied the knot during a 2001 ceremony in Santa Barbara. “I love her to death,” <a href="https://www.soapsindepth.com/gallery/cbs/the-young-and-the-restless-joshua-morrow-wife-tobe-161105" target="_blank">he told Soaps In Depth</a>, “and I truly don’t deserve her.” While we doubt that’s true, Nick’s portrayer added that “she has given me the four coolest children that I ever could have asked for!” </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
7/22
<p>Get ready, because Billy’s portrayer is about to gush about the beauty who became his bride in 2015 and has since gifted him with two children. “She’s just an amazing person and doesn’t have a selfish bone in her body,” Thompson told <a href="https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-jason-thompson-interview-3/" target="_blank">Soap Opera Digest</a>. </p> <p> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
8/22
<p>While Egan and her spouse — whom she wed back in 2014 — have had the chance to work together on <em>Young & Restless</em>, Katrosar is not actually an actor. He did, however, put in two appearances on the soap on which she plays Chelsea in 2020, playing first her kidnapper and later an EMT! They welcomed their first child, baby boy Caden, into the world in August 2021.</p> <p> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
9/22
<p>It may seem like just yesterday that Kevin’s portrayer exchanged vows with Sudduth, but they actually celebrated their sixth anniverary in 2021. “I wouldn’t have stayed sane this past year without you,” Rikaart told his hubby earlier this year on Instagram. “Well, I’d have gone more insane, I should say.” Together, they have one son, Montgomery, whom they affectionately call Monty. </p> <p> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
10/22
<p>While Victor’s marriages have been legendarily rocky, Braeden’s own union has lasted more than five decades. And if there’s one thing anyone following him on social media knows, it’s how much he dotes on son Christian Gudegast’s adorable children! </p> <p> </p>
Image: Brian Lowe/JPI
11/22
<p>Fans got an up-close and personal look into the homelife of Ashley’s on-again, off-again portrayer and her spouse when Davidson appeared on <em>The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. </em>Married since 2003, they share one son. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
12/22
<p>Davidson may no longer be onscreen as Paul — much to the consternation of many fans — but he did walk away with one heck of a parting gift: It was on the set of <em>Young & Restless</em> that he met his wife when she was playing Rebecca. Married in 1984, they have two children. </p> <p> </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI
13/22
<p>Ask Rey’s former portrayer the secret to a good marriage and he’ll tell you it’s communication. “Kaitlin and I have learned how to work through issues,” he admitted to Soaps earlier this year. Married since 2012, the couple has two daughters. “I’ve learned never to take anything that comes into your life for granted,” he said.</p> <p> </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
14/22
<p>Mariah’s portrayer — who formerly played the ill-fated Cassie — and her voice-actor beau, Brock Powell, marked their first anniversary back in March of 2021. In January 2022, he popped the question and she said, “Yes!” The happy duo showed off the ring when they attended the Daytime Emmys together.</p>
Image: Orlando Garcia/JPI
15/22
<p><em>Young & Restless</em> villain Robert Newman (ex-Ashland) has been married to Britt Helfer, who played Lily on <em>Loving</em>, since 1986. The pair has two kids together — Kendall and Connor.</p>
Image: Ilya S. Savenok/Getty; Howard Wise/JPI
16/22
<p>According to her Instagram, <em>Young & Restless’</em> newest Summer, Allison Lanier, shares a “birthday and a life” with non-binary singer/songwriter JD Samson.</p>
Image: Tibrina Hobson/Getty
17/22
<p>Rory Gibson, who plays <em>Young & Restless’</em> Noah, has been in a relationship with model Alicia Ruelas for over a decade. <a href="https://soaps.sheknows.com/the-young-and-the-restless/news/648965/young-restless-rory-gibson-engaged-alicia-ruelas-photos/" target="_blank">They got engaged in October 2022</a>!</p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI
18/22
<p>Young & Restless’ Diane Jenkins, Susan Walters, is married to alum Linden Ashby, who played baddie Cameron Kirsten. The pair tied the knot in 1986 and have two children, Grace and Savannah.</p>
Image: Stefanie Keenan/Getty Images
19/22
<p><em>Passions</em> alum James Hyde, now <em>Young & Restless’</em> Jeremy Stark, married Sue-Ling Garcia in 1994. The good-looking duo has a son, James Moses.</p>
Image: Getty Images
20/22
<p><em>Young & Restless’</em> favorite rock star, Michael Damian (Danny Romalotti) has been married to his lovely wife Janeen since 1998. They love to make beautiful movies together!</p>
Image: David Livingston/Getty Images, JB Lacroix/Getty Images
21/22
<p>Moore (ex-Malcolm) hid his lady love from the world until it was time for them to share the news that they were expecting their first child together. In January 2023, Moore revealed that Jesiree Dizon was his significant other and that she was pregnant with a girl. On January 24th, news broke that their daughter had been born.</p>
Image: Howard Wise/JPI (2)
22/22
