Jack Abbott

The character of Jack Abbott was originally played by Terry Lester on The Young and the Restless. In 1989 Peter Bergman took over the role and never looked back.

Jack is the oldest son of John Abbott, founder of Jabot cosmetics. His father John, as well as most  of The Young and the Restless fans still root for Jack to grow a conscious and do the right thing. John, who passed away years ago, appears to Jack from time to time, still encouraging his son to make better choices. Parenting never stops, even when you’re dead and your son is almost 60 years old. Jack tries to heed his father’s advice, but usually takes the wrong road.

In his early years Jack enjoyed the role of heir to a successful cosmetic company. He dated Jill Foster (the current Jill Abbott, who married John) and Patty Williams. She became pregnant and Jack married her to please his father. Patty loved Jack, Jack loved other women. Patty caught Jack having sex with Diane Jenkins and suffered a miscarriage. When she overheard Jack say he didn’t want to be a husband or father, she shot him.

Jack, never considering anyone’s feelings but his own, starts an affair will Jill Foster Abbott. Jill is now married to Jack’s father John. An old flame, Lindsay Wells photographs the two together. She gives the photos to Jill’s public enemy number one, Katherine Chancellor. Katherine makes a puzzle out of the picture and sends each piece to John. When John puts the pieces of the puzzle together and realizes his son and his wife are having an affair, he is devastated.

What’s the best way to get back at your arch enemy? Marry Victor Newman’s ex-wife. That is what Jack did when he married Nikki Newman. Nikki became pregnant with Jack’s baby but eventually miscarried. Jack couldn’t help but blame “The Mustache” for the loss of his unborn child. Both Jack and Nikki married for the wrong reasons. It didn’t last long.

Jack had a son named Keemo with Luan Volien. Luan was a Vietnamese woman Jack met during his time there many years ago. They were married. Luan died and Keemo is not mentioned much. Where’s Keemo?Diane Jenkins, another woman from Jack’s past, returned to Genoa City and they became engaged. Jack really met his match with Diane. Victor was smitten with Diane and lured her away from Jack. Victor and Diane were married. As with most of Victor’s marriages, it didn’t last long and Diane returned to Jack. Jack took her back as sweet revenge against Victor.  Diane, disgruntled with the ongoing feud between Jack and Victor, left Genoa City.

Then Jack chased Phyllis Summers. Phyllis was a good choice for Jack. Her past was as tempestuous as his. They both were aware of the mistakes they each made, and loved each other anyway. It seemed like both had found their soul mate. But true happiness doesn’t last long. Diane returns to Genoa City with news. Her son Kyle is also Jack’s son. Jack and Phyllis try to gain custody of Kyle but to no avail. The Judge grants custody to Diane and Jack and Phyllis divorce. Phyllis had an affair with Nick, Jack’s former step-son. She got pregnant and they married. Jack then got involved with Sharon, Nick’s ex-wife.

Jack’s luck seemed to go downhill from there. His Father passed away and Jack also lost control of Jabot Cosmetics. Jack was out for revenge and taking no prisoners. He had his sights on Victor, Jill, Katherine and Gloria.

Jack, wanting to take control of his own destiny, decided to run for the State Senate against, of all people, his ex-wife Nikki. Jack won, but his term did not last very long. He was involved with a business deal with Ji Min Kim where Jack silently controlled Jabot Cosmetics again. By a court order, Jack was not allowed any association with Jabot. Who had the goods on Jack and turned them into the ethics committee? Victor.

So Jack needed to reinvent himself yet again. He decided to start a magazine called “Restless Style” with Nick. Phyllis and Sharon are also brought on board. The partnership doesn’t last long. Nick bought out Jack’s shares.

Jack is determined to get control back of Jabot and enlists the help of John’s former wife, Gloria. There is no love lost between the two. Jack never gave Gloria the time of day when she was married to John and treated her worse after his death. Gloria, wanted so desperately to be a part of the Abbott family, she deliberately tainted a moisturizer at Jabot which caused the death of a customer. This incident is what led to Jack being fired in the first place. Jack got his wish and returned back to Jabot when it was determined the cause of death was not from the moisturizer.

Jack was ecstatic to learn he is the father of Sharon’s baby. Only Sharon knows Nick is the real father. It looks like another chance at happiness is going to elude Mr. Abbott yet again.

The character of Jack Abbott has made an appearance on The Young and the Restless for almost 30 years. There is never a dull moment when “Smiling Jack” is on screen. With all of his devious deeds, we will never trust him, but will always root for him.