<Tr> <Th> Nephews </Th> <Td> Johnny Abbott </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Nieces </Th> <Td> Abby Newman Colleen Carlton Delia Abbott Katie Newman </Td> </Tr> <P> Jack Abbott is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless . The character was first introduced in 1980 being portrayed by Terry Lester . Lester departed from the series in 1989 and as replaced by Peter Bergman shortly thereafter . Bergman relocated to California for the role after he successfully auditioned for the part . His first episode aired on November 27, 1989 . Jack is known for his longstanding feud with the Newman family patriarch, Victor Newman as well as his romances with Nikki Newman, Phyllis Summers and Sharon Newman . Jack has represented the Abbott family as the patriarch since the 2006 passing of his father, John Abbott . </P> <P> The role of Jack Abbott was first written into the series in June 1980, being portrayed by Terry Lester . In May 1985, it was announced that Lester would be leaving the role; he stated that it was because of a CBS film (Blade) he starred in which could have possibly became a series: "I wanted to work something out . I've enjoyed being with the show . However, I was concerned about the possibility of Blade being picked up as a series and being tied to The Young and the Restless ." However, he ended up staying . The writers picked up on Lester having "played with Jack's dialogue" according to his intuitions . In 1989, Lester quit out of anger, as he felt that Jack was being "squeezed" out of the storyline, and was upset that Lauralee Bell's character Christine Blair was moved to the forefront of several storylines . The producers immediately began exploring recast options . At the time, Bergman, who had rose to super stardom as Dr. Cliff Warner on All My Children, had recently been fired . Bergman's firing made headlines, and Melody Thomas Scott, who portrays Nikki Newman, suggested Bergman as Jack to her husband and former executive producer Edward J. Scott when she read of the news in Soap Opera Digest . Bergman revealed that the producers had contacted his agent and asked about his height; he initially thought it was a joke . They then inquired about Bergman's feelings about replacing someone, and he was hesitant to take the role . He stated in 2009: "I was on All My Children and replacing someone was sheer death, and it never worked on All My Children ." When the producers called him again, Bergman was not doing well financially and he decided it "couldn't hurt" to audition . Scott arranged for Bergman to come to California and audition with Jerry Douglas and Jess Walton, who portrayed John and Jill Abbott respectively . After a successful audition, Bergman was offered the part . Bergman reluctantly relocated to California after accepting the part . He made his debut on November 27, 1989 . </P>

Who was the original jack on the young and the restless