Coronavirus: ‘Young and Restless’ star Richard Burgi fired for protocol breach
By Bob D'Angelo, Cox Media Group National Content Desk
Actor Richard Burgi has been fired from the daytime soap opera, “The Young and the Restless,” for breaching the show’s COVID-19 protocols, Variety reported.
Burgi, 63, who played Ashland Locke on the daytime television series, announced his departure Tuesday on his Instagram story, saying he was fired after he “naively and inadvertently violated the show’s COVID policy.”
“I felt terrible about it,” Burgi said in his video message, according to Variety. “I 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.”
Burgi said he was visiting family members “back East over Christmas” when he tested positive for COVID-19, People reported.
After receiving his positive results, Burgi said he went into isolation for five days as recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and then tested negative twice at the studio.
However, the show’s protocol was 10 days, so Burgi said he was “not within the show’s guidelines.”
“So I inadvertently violated the show’s COVID rules and protocols,” the actor said.
Burgi joined “The Young and the Restless” in March 2021, Variety reported.
Sony Pictures Television declined to comment, People reported. A representative for Burgi did not immediately respond to the magazine’s request for comment.
The show has tapped Robert Newman as Burgi’s replacement and announced that the veteran actor, best known for his role on “Guiding Light,” will make his debut as Locke in February, according to Soap Opera Digest.
“The Young and the Restless” has been a staple of afternoon soaps since its debut in 1983. The show has been the No. 1 daytime drama for more than 31 years and has won 116 Daytime Emmys during its 49-year run, People reported.
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years Here are some memorable photos of "The Young and the Restless" actor Richard Burgi through the years. (Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Screen Actors Guild Foundation)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2002: "24" actor Richard Burgi and his wife, Lori, attend FOX-TV's party for the Television Critics Association at Highland's in Los Angeles on Friday, January 11, 2002. (Kevin Winter/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2005: Actor Richard Burgi attends the Los Angeles premiere of Sony Pictures' "Fun With Dick and Jane" at the Mann Village Theatre on December 14, 2005, in Westwood, California. (David Livingston/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2006: Jane Seymour and Richard Burgi embrace on the 18th hole after Jane made a good chip and hole during the second day of the Northern Rock All Star Cup at the Celtic Manor Resort on August 27, 2006, in Newport, Wales. (Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2008: Actors Richard Burgi (left) and Brenda Strong attend the American Fertility Association's Annual Illuminations Gala at a private residence on March 15, 2008, in Los Angeles. (Stephen Shugerman/Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2013: Paul Pape, Liliana Burgi, Richard Burgi and Joe Cipriano attend the SAG Foundation's third annual Poker Classic on August 24, 2013, in Los Angeles. (Angela Weiss/Getty Images for Screen Actors Guild Foundation)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2014: Liliana Lopez (left) and Richard Burgi arrive at the fourth annual SAG Foundation Poker Classic and party benefiting the Don LaFontaine Voice-Over Lab at the Museum of Flying on August 23, 2014, in Santa Monica, California. (Joshua Blanchard/Getty Images for The Screen Actors Guild Foundation)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2015: Actor Richard Burgi attends the Los Angeles Police Memorial Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament at Brookside Golf Club on June 20, 2015, in Pasadena, California. (Michael Kovac/WireImage)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2016: Richard Burgi appears in an episode of "General Hospital" in 2016. (Michael Yada/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images)
Photos: Richard Burgi through the years 2021: Amelia Heinle and Richard Burgi on the set of "The Young and the Restless" in 2021. (Sonja Flemming/CBS via Getty Images)