The Young and the Restless star Christian LeBlanc, known for his portrayal of Michael Baldwin on the popular soap opera, has revealed his battle with blood cancer. The 65-year-old actor has been absent from the show in recent months as he has been undergoing treatment for Multiple myeloma.
LeBlanc first discovered something was off with his health when fans noticed that one of his eyes looked unusual. Prior to this, he had already been experiencing symptoms such as frequent nosebleeds and the sudden loss of his wedding ring without friction. An examination revealed a tumor in his sinus cavity, pressing on his optic nerve.
The doctors diagnosed LeBlanc with Multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer that affects the body’s plasma cells. Despite the cancer being relatively common, LeBlanc admits that he never considered it until he received his diagnosis. Over the course of two months, he lost 35 pounds, a sign of the toll the illness had taken on his body.
To combat his condition, LeBlanc underwent surgery and immunotherapy treatment. This involved a lengthy stay in the hospital, marking the first time he had ever been hospitalized in his 65 years of life. Thankfully, his cancer is now fully in remission, and he is set to return to The Young and the Restless for the soap opera’s Thanksgiving episode.
LeBlanc has been a mainstay on the show since joining the cast in 1991, with a brief departure between 1993 and 1997. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his talent, receiving eight Daytime Emmy nominations and winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series three times.
In addition to his cancer battle, LeBlanc made headlines in 2021 when he publicly came out as gay and revealed that he had been married to his husband, Sid Montz, for 28 years.
LeBlanc’s story serves as a reminder of the importance of regular health check-ups and the impact that supportive fans can have on someone’s well-being. With his remission, the actor is eager to continue portraying Michael Baldwin and entertaining audiences for years to come.