A Woman of SUBSTANCE

As An Actress, Entrepreneur, Charity Worker and Single Mom, Y&R's Michelle Stafford Manages A Very Busy Life

- Devin Owens

When asked if she was surprised when the role of Phyllis was extended past its initial few weeks in 1994, portrayer Michelle Stafford easily answers, “No.” It’s not ego driving her answer, it’s kudos. “I was grateful and honored but not surprised because I felt Bill [Bell, then-head writer] created such a great character who he just kept writing for. I think I started in October and it was around February or March when they offered me a contract.”

It helped, in Stafford’s opinion, that the vibe with both her on-screen obsession, Michael Damian (Danny), as well as Phyllis’s rival, Cricket, played by the boss’s daughter, Lauralee Bell, resonated with the audience. “First of all, Michael was so lovely to work with and I love him so much,” she smiles. “And I felt like I had a lot of chemistry with Lauralee because in real life I really liked her and she liked me, so it all just kind of worked. I still absolutely love them.”

Which is a plus, given that Damian has returned to Y&R for a story arc that will have Danny reconnecting with Cricket, or “The Bug” as Phyllis derisively still calls her. “Phyllis will always hate Cricket until the writers decide she doesn’t and then Phyllis won’t,” Stafford reasons. “The acrimony these women feel for each other goes deep and they have always known how to push each other’s buttons. We do have some really fun stuff coming up.”

Just The Facts

Birthday: September 14

Birthplace: Chicago, IL