Q: With the introduction of Cane as Jill's real son on "Young and Restless," there has been little talk about Phillip, the child Jill and Kay thought was Jill's child. What happened to the character and the actor who played him? — Roberta, Chattanooga, Tenn.

A: Phillip Chancellor III (Thom Bierdz) was thought to be Jill's son by Phillip Chancellor Jr., who was Jill's lover and Kay's husband. As a teen Phillip was a wonderful child, sensitive, loving and smart. Sadly, he started drinking. The character's choice of drink was getting a hold of those small liquor bottles they serve on airplanes. After many tries at getting clean and sober, young Phillip died in an alcohol-fueled car accident.

Bierdz, who played Phillip until 1989, admits he was never comfortable with the things required of actors who toil on soaps. "I am an introverted person," he said at the time. "I know that personal appearances are part of the job. I just do not think I am very good at them."

Bierdz learned he has anxiety issues and takes medication for the problem. "I am better at small talk. What I love to do is paint. I love using lots of colors. Sitting in front of a canvas waiting to see what I will create is very fulfilling."

His autobiography is also very fulfilling to him. "Forgiving Troy: The Art-0-Biography of Thom Bierdz," is an amazing read. It covers Bierdz deciding to reveal he was gay. He also discusses life on the Y&R set. Above all, it is the story of a man forgiving the unforgivable. In 1989, his brother, Troy, bludgeoned their mother to death and threatened to kill Thom.

"For five years I stayed away from my brother. Then I decided I needed to see him and went to the prison where he is incarcerated. " Bierdz was stunned by what he saw. "My brother was this troubled soul. So mentally ill. He did not even remember killing our mother." Bierdz insisted that his brother be put on medication for his schizophrenia. "Troy and I now have a relationship," he said. The book can be ordered on ThomBierdz.com.

Supporting himself as a painter, Bierdz says he would return to acting, but would want the role to be true to himself as either a gay character, an artist or — better yet —both. "It is important for me to believe that in whatever I do I am making a difference."

To find out more about Lynda Hirsch, and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate web page at www.creators.com.

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