Actor Richard Burgi has revealed why he was fired from The Young & the Restless. The soap opera veteran, who joined the long-running CBS series last year in the role of media tycoon Ashland Locke, announced on Saturday that he was being let go from the series in an Instagram story, as well as the reason behind his sudden departure.
Burgi was a relatively recent addition to the cast, but CBS' The Young & the Restless has been a mainstay of the soap opera landscape for decades, first debuting in 1973. Burgi joined the cast in March of 2021 as the shrewd businessman and husband to Tara Locke. In his short time so far on the show, Locke's story has involved stolen identities, corporate espionage, torrid love affairs, and more of the type of melodrama that no soap opera would be complete without. And that's all within the character's first year. However, Burgi's tenure as Locke is coming to an end.
Per THR, Burgi was released from the show when the actor inadvertently failed to adhere to the production's COVID-19 protocols. The actor had contracted the virus during the holidays and quarantined himself for five days, as the CDC recommends. Following his self-isolation, the actor said he tested negative twice before returning to work. However, while the CDC's guidelines suggest a five-day quarantine, the show's COVID-19 protocol requires ten days of isolation. His returning early reportedly resulted in his being fired from the show on account of what Burgi is chalking up to a misunderstanding. But while Burgi may be gone, the character of Locke is sticking around as CBS has already recast the character with Guiding Light veteran, Robert Newman, stepping into the role. Read Burgi's comments below:
"[A 5-day quarantine] was not within the show’s guidelines, which was a 10-day protocol. I felt terrible about it and still do. It bothers me mightily, but it is what it is. I respect whatever the show’s decision is; they’re doing the best they can, as we all are.”
While it seems like this could have been an easily avoidable situation, it's telling of the seriousness with which the show's producers are taking the COVID situation. Fallout from the Coronavirus has wreaked havoc on the entertainment industry, from seemingly endless delays to canceled productions, many in the industry have been trying to keep up in a volatile world. While Burgi apparently did all he should have according to the CDC's instructions, it still wasn't enough to satisfy The Young & the Restless' overabundance of caution.
It's unfortunate that Burgi will be losing his role when he thought he was following the proper steps. However, it's simultaneously encouraging to see the producers of The Young & the Restless being proactive to keep their cast and crew safe. It'll be interesting to see where Burgi goes next.
Source: THR
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