Sure, Daniel, played by Young and the Restless veteran Michael Graziadei, isn’t Danny’s biological child. However, both the on-screen and off-screen bond between the two is one of those closest viewers can find. Graziadei recently chatted with Soap Hub about the bond between the two men that recently hit the 20-year mark.
We Are Family
“Michael was one of the first people I got to work with and spend a lot of time with,” Graziadei shares with Soap Hub. As viewers recall, a teen Daniel returned to Genoa City in 2004 and began exploring his early origins — figuring out what exactly went down that led to Danny having custody of him and not his mother, Phyllis (Michelle Stafford read our interview with the actress about her Daytime Emmy nomination here).
“He was always gracious and patient,” Graziadei continues. “How could I not fall in love with him for that?” Even though Danny didn’t stick around for the long-term after Daniel was brought back onto the canvas, the TV father and son stayed in touch.
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“We’ve always remained in contact,” Graziadei says. “It’s been so good to have him back. We text each other as if I were his real son and if he were my real father. We’ve got a pretty fantastic relationship.”
It’s ironic that Daniel, arguably, takes more after Daniel despite them not having a biological connection and he is less like his bombastic mom. “I think that’s because I was sent away to boarding school,” Graziadei says in-character. “[Danny] took it upon himself to raise me — not his mother.”
Check out the Instagram post below from Y&R’s official account that shows Graziadei as he is today and how he appeared when he first joined the show. Conner Floyd (Chance) quipped, referring to Graziadei’s locks, “Bring back the hair!” to which Graziadei good-naturedly responded with a laughing tears emoji. Soap Hub congratulates Graziadei on 20 years with Y&R.