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Thom Bierdz-Exclusive Interview with Y&R star Re: returning as Phillip, tragedy, art & being gay
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Thom Bierdz's return as Phillip Chancellor III on Y&R
THOM BIERDZ – His return to the 'Young & the Restless’, brilliant writing & art careers & triumph over his personal tragedy.
Thom Bierdz may be best known to fans as Phillip Chancellor III on The Young and the Restless but this actor has thick layers that, when peeled away, will stun the masses.
Thom is a talented actor, painter, writer and most importantly, a survivor. Just weeks after leaving Y&R to pursue a movie career in 1989, his mother was killed by his mentally ill, younger brother Troy. Most people would have collapsed, lost faith and given up; not Thom. Although he had to process this horrible heartbreak, he trudged through the sludge of his pain and moved forward using his artistic and literary talent to heal both himself and those around him.
One of the ways this life-soldier has used positive to overcome negative is by writing his award-winning memoirs entitled “Forgiving Troy – A True Story of Murder, Mental Illness and Recovery“ which is available at www.thombierdz.com as is his biography, recent Y&R footage of his return and an eclectic collection of 500 of his paintings. Thom has sold many of his paintings and donated the proceeds to charity, raising over $100,000 for various worthy causes. See www.thombierdz.com to view his striking and diverse paintings.
Although Thom is a talented actor, he has also been touted as “the next Warhol” for his prolific and stylistic painting. (IN Magazine, 2005) and his memoirs have gone on to gain critical success. Looks like everything this Renaissance man touches turns to gold and no on deserves it more. 
When asked about how he is feeling now after working through his grief and returning to the show, he responded, “This is the best time in my life. I love playing gay on Y&R and being gay, and am grateful to make a living selling art and have publishers so interested in my memoirs." Thom’s paintings are very diverse and he would like to honor two celebrities that the world has lost recently by exhibiting his interpretations of their essences in his art. See his portraits of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett below. Again, more of his art work may be seen on www.thombierdz.com
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After questioning life and searching for peace and answers, I have forgiven my brother, Troy for what he has done and I am so proud of his growth over these years. He and I are both so different than we were 20 years ago”. After much work on his part, Thom’s kind and wounded heart has finally healed.
As far as returning as Phillip on Young & the Restless this week, Bierdz went on to say “the eve before my character Phillip’s return to Genoa city, was a hard night, as I lay in bed 13 hours trying to beat my insomnia. I had three half hours of nightmares and I think they were my subconscious fear of the limelight. Every time I get close to being in the public eye I have these nightmares, like people breaking in to my space. It's a horrible feeling.” Although Thom admits his fears, he also conquers them as he went on to say “Even though my subconscious is afraid, I have always desired to be an open book and share everything.” This certainly explains why his acting work is so authentic.
The show keeps Thom busy but he still finds time to do his painting commissions. His last painting commission was of the Queen Mary for a book cover. He went on saying “I love challenging myself with a paintbrush”.
It is certain that fans want to know most of all if Thom is “on the market” and when asked, his reply was “I am single 
and I think Phillip is single too so maybe he and I will both find a boyfriend this year.”
With Thom’s tenaciousness, gorgeous looks and many God-given talents, he’s certain to find whatever he wants and duly so.
Interview conducted with Thom Bierdz by Renee Roland, Author
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