Fenmore Baldwin

Edit links
This is a good article. Click here for more information.
Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.

Fenmore Baldwin
The Young and the Restless character
Zach Tinker as Fenmore Baldwin
Portrayed by
Duration
  • 2006–2015
  • 2018–2020
  • 2023
First appearanceOctober 13, 2006
Last appearanceJanuary 25, 2023
ClassificationFormer; guest
Created byLynn Marie Latham and Kay Alden
Introduced by
In-universe information
Other namesFenmore Michael Baldwin
Occupation
  • Model
  • Singer
  • Songwriter
  • Waiter
  • Student
FamilyBaldwin
Father
Phillip Chancellor III
Billy Abbott

Bella Fisher
Miles Fisher

Fenmore Baldwin is a fictional character from

rapidly aged to a teenager in 2012, with Max Ehrich assuming the role through 2015. In 2018, the role was recast with Zach Tinker
.

As a teenager, the character's storylines have included a romance with

Daytime Emmy Award
nominations between 2013 and 2016.

Casting

The role was first portrayed by three sets of twins, including Avital and Amiel Weiss, Matthew and Riley Esham, and Aiden and Andrew Gonzales over the course of 2006 to 2009.[1] The role was then rapidly aged for the first time when Tucker assumed the role in October 2009.[2][3] In May 2012, it was announced that the character had been rapidly aged again to a teenager, with Ehrich scheduled to join the cast. He made his debut on June 11, 2012.[4][5][6][7] In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, Ehrich stated that he had gone through a "long audition process", saying: "I got a callback and did a chemistry read with someone, then came back to read with Christian LeBlanc. By the end of that audition, I knew something felt right and that he could be my father." When asked about signing a contract with the series, Ehrich stated: "I'm still on recurring right now. I think it's all relevant to your character and either way, in my book, it's awesome. I would sign, yes, but it'll happen when the time is right."[8] Ehrich last aired on May 18, 2015.[9]

In November 2018, Ehrich announced on Instagram that he'd been asked to reprise the role, however, due to a string of stalking incidents, he could not return; as a result, Zach Tinker was announced as a recast.[10] Tinker debuted in the role on December 3, 2018.[11] Tinker was written out on February 11, 2019.[12] In November 2019, it was reported that Tinker will be returning to the show; airing the week of December 23.[13] On January 13, 2023, it was announced Tinker would reprise the role beginning January 25.[14]

Development

Characterization

"He's really at this young and vulnerable age. Your hormones are out of control, you're going through so much angst, and everyone Fen has trusted seems to get ripped away [to the point] where he literally has no one to trust. And Fen is someone who has destructive tendencies, so it's very scary. Of course, it can't be intense all the time. You need the peaks and valleys. But I do love playing intense!"[15]

—Ehrich, describing the character's teenage angst and behavior (2013)

When Ehrich first stepped into the role, he stated: "There [are] so many places where they can go with this role. I have just gotten back into Genoa City. It's such a vulnerable age, so really there [are] so many different paths I can go down. And there's so much that can happen. I’m very, very curious to see where they go with it." When asked how he would describe Fenmore, Ehrich said: "He is definitely figuring himself out. You’re on the brink of adulthood. You have to start taking a bit of responsibility. [And] your hormones start kicking in hardcore. So he's definitely going through some stuff."[16] In another interview, he described Fenmore as "trying to find his place in the world", saying: "When Fen first came back, I think he was at a very vulnerable age and was trying to find his place in the world; just really figure out who he is. He has such a strict dad, who just became D.A., so of course his morals are so strong and everything is black and white, right or wrong."[17] Luke Kerr of Zap2it wrote that the character had become "creepy" during his angst and acting out.[18]

Teenage angst

Christian LeBlanc, who portrays the character's father Michael Baldwin, stated that Fenmore's storyline was "really fascinating" and would have a "rippling effect" on the character's entire family.

When Fenmore and female character

Michael Logan of TV Guide previewed the storyline, writing: "Adding fuel to the fire is young Fen Baldwin (Max Ehrich), who is so infatuated with Summer that he becomes her partner in crime — in fact, he takes things a few dangerous steps further once he sees Summer's growing fondness for Jamie."[22] Ehrich liked the plot as he was bullied as a child, stating: "Kids do it out of their own sadness or insecurity, but needless to say that doesn’t matter when you’re a victim of it – you feel so isolated and so alone. To have a storyline that addresses it, it’s like, "This is real; this is what happens". People need to know the truth of what is going on out there."[17]

In another interview, Ehrich expressed more of his opinions on the storyline, stating: "It’s so relevant now and it’s such an epidemic. Just for it to be out there to show that it happens. This is a real issue that needs to be addressed. To be a part of that, and to spread awareness feels so nice because I’ve personally experience bullying and I know many friends who have. Whether people’s reason behind it are good or bad, nonetheless, it affects kids to such an extent especially young, vulnerable kids."[23] Of the character's "dark side", Ehrich stated: "I love playing dark, but justifiably dark. It's never coming from a psychopathic place. First, he got obsessed with Summer, and that caused the bullying storyline, and now he's dealing with his parents' problems and possible divorce. Fenmore's issues come from a place that makes sense. It's interesting, because everyone around him is pretty much lying, and Fen is supposed to be the crazy one. Yet he's actually the truthful one."[15] He also stated that "as an actor, it's fun to go out of control", saying: "As an actor, it’s fun when you’re out of control, and you don’t even know you’re acting. Like, literally, you just escape. And I got to feel that. And I’ve had numerous times on this show where I’ve gotten to be out of control, and it’s a really nice feeling. It’s exhilarating." He also revealed that he had been listening to the music of John Mayer and Bruno Mars to get into Fenmore's head space.[24] Ehrich also conceded that he didn't want Fenmore to go "too far", saying: "He's a really troubled kid who is just trying to find his way in life. He's not evil. I don't think he's asking for too much except for some love and trust. He's on a journey—a long, long journey to find some peace."[15]

Storylines

Phyllis Summers Newman (Michelle Stafford) and her daughter, Summer Newman, by Sheila Carter, who had had cosmetic surgery to look like Phyllis. All are rescued when Lauren tracked down Sheila and shot her. In 2012, Fenmore was sent to stay with his half-brother, Scotty Grainger, in Canada due to Lauren's fear that Daisy Carter (Yvonne Zima
), Sheila's daughter, would end up harming him. Months later, Fenmore returns a moody teenager, kindling a friendship with a teenaged Summer. They became close and later began a relationship. When Summer began harassing a boy named Jamie Vernon (Daniel Polo) online, Fenmore was against the idea, but when his father, Michael Baldwin (Christian LeBlanc), began looking out for Jamie, he became jealous and took over the bullying by sending him harassing text messages from a disposable cell phone. Fenmore's jealously continued when Michael and Lauren had Jamie move in with them temporarily. He attempted to frame Jamie for stealing his mother's expensive decoration, and attempted to take pictures of him with the decoration on a rooftop. The boys struggled and Jamie was found face down in the snow below. He accused Fenmore of pushing him, Michael believed Jamie over his own son and he was arrested. However, Jamie later confessed that Fenmore did not push him and he was exonerated. Michael and Lauren's marriage suffered due to the bullying ordeal.

Fenmore was befriended by

Paul Williams (Doug Davidson) and Christine Blair (Lauralee Bell
) try to uncover the truth behind Carmine's death. Michael is later released after Fen confesses to killing Carmine, worrying his parents.

As Paul, Christine and Michael continue to hit dead ends on solving Carmine's murder, Fen announces he wants to confess to a judge and be sentenced prison time; Christine and Lauren however are strongly against it. Just as Fen decides he is going to confess to the judge, Michael discovers that Carmine is in fact alive. He reveals that he was in fact being transported into witness protection the day of the banquet for giving the FBI evidence against another criminal, but he wanted to see Lauren one last time. Fen shot him that night but doctors and medical examiners secretly revived him and sent him into witness protection. He refuses to return to Genoa City to exonerate Fen because of his own safety, so instead Michael films him confessing that he is alive. Michael arrives with the video before Fen can confess, and he is exonerated. After being reunited with his family, Michael and Lauren later mention that Fen had gone to Arizona to visit potential colleges.

Reception

Jillian Bowe of Zap2it was surprised by the decision to age both Fenmore and Summer Newman (Hunter King) at the same time.

We Love Soaps wondered if the character would "have issues with his parents the way other aged kids on the show have of late".[27] Fairman later stated of Ehrich's portrayal: "Recently, the powers-that-be at Y&R chose to age Lauren and Michael’s tot of a son, Fenmore, to a teenager (another victim of Soap Opera Rapid Aging Syndrome) and with that comes new complex problems for the Baldwins, and as it appears “Fen” may be a chip off the old block ... sort to speak. The talented Max Ehrich was cast as the new Fen, and since he has begun to air in the part he has received high marks, not only from his scene partners, but daytime fans, too." He also called Fenmore's family "one of the most fascinating TV families".[20] Luke Kerr, also of Zap2it, wrote that he "really likes" Ehrich as Fenmore, stating: "He has totally mastered the Baldwin/Fisher crazy behind-the-eyes element of early Michael and Kevin (Greg Rikaart)."[18] Jamey Giddens also wrote of the character's family storyline, saying: "A father hellbent on preventing his son from going down the same unspeakable path he once traveled; a mother who refuses to believe her child could be guilty of the heinous crime he's being accused of committing. No, this isn't the back page copy for Jodi Picoult's next best-selling novel, it's the saga of the Baldwins on The Young and the Restless!"[28]

In 2013, Ehrich received a

Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series for his portrayal of Fenmore.[29][30] On the day the actor was informed of his nomination, Ehrich stated: "I’ve been in daydream all day. I feel like I was hit by an electric current." He admitted that it was a "pretty easy choice" choosing which scene to submit for consideration;[31] Ehrich chose a scene where Fenmore tells Jamie that Summer is the one cyberbullying him.[32] He stated that he chose that episode "because that day, I felt this outer body experience. I was not in control at all". Of his nomination, Ehrich stated: "It’s an honor, and it’s something I hope will hit me really soon, because it doesn’t feel real at all!"[31] However, Ehrich lost the award to Days of Our Lives star Chandler Massey for his portrayal of Will Horton.[33]

References

  1. ^ "Fenmore Baldwin Actor History". Star Kidz. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  2. ^ "Robbie Tucker Biography & Filmography". Star Kidz. Retrieved January 14, 2012.
  3. ^ "Catching up with Y and R's Robbie Tucker at the Young Artist Awards". World News. May 14, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  4. ^ a b Bowe, Jillian (April 13, 2012). "Holy Casting: The Young and The Restless to SORAS Summer and Fen!". Daytime Confidential. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  5. Soaps in Depth
    . Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  6. SoapCentral
    . Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  7. American Media, Inc
    . May 10, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  8. ^ "Freshman Class: Max Ehrich (Fenmore)". Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. April 8, 2013. p. 63.
  9. Charles Pratt, Jr. (Executive producers); Charles Pratt, Jr. (Head writer); Michael Eilbaum (Director); Janice Ferri Esser (Script writer) (May 18, 2015). The Young and the Restless. Season 43. Episode 10668. CBS
    .
  10. Soaps.com
    . United States. Retrieved November 9, 2018.
  11. American Media, Inc.
    Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved November 12, 2018.
  12. ^ Anthony Morina and Josh Griffith (Executive producers); Mal Young (Head writer); Sally McDonald (Director); Anne Schoettle (Script writer) (February 11, 2019). The Young and the Restless. Season 46. Episode 11550. CBS.
  13. American Media, Inc.
    Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. Retrieved November 16, 2019.
  14. Daytime Confidential. United States: Confidential Media, Inc. (The Arena Group
    ). Retrieved January 13, 2023.
  15. ^
    Soaps in Depth
    . pp. 55–57.
  16. ^ "Max Ehrich Interview". The Young and the Restless. CBS. June 8, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  17. ^ a b c Young, Candace (November 26, 2012). "The Young and the Restless Interview: Max Ehrich". She Knows Soaps. Atomic Online. Archived from the original on December 30, 2012. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  18. ^
    Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original
    on June 6, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  19. MSN Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on June 8, 2012. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  20. ^
    Michael Fairman On-Air On-Soaps
    . Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  21. MSN Entertainment. Archived from the original
    on February 2, 2014. Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  22. ^ Logan, Michael (November 2, 2012). "Exclusive: The Young and the Restless Launches Teen Cyberbully Plot". TV Guide. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  23. ^ Headrick, Cheyenne (December 1, 2012). "Exclusive Interview With Actor Max Ehrich". Chic Galleria. Archived from the original on May 7, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  24. Soap Opera Network
    . Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  25. ^ Nobles, Omar (May 11, 2012). "Lindsay Bushman, Max Ehrich Cast as 'Y&R's' New Summer & Fen". TVSource. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  26. ^ Fairman, Michael (April 13, 2012). "Summer SORASing at Y&R! Fenmore and Summer to become Teens!". On-Air On-Soaps. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  27. We Love Soaps
    . Retrieved August 7, 2013.
  28. Tribune Media Services. Archived from the original
    on May 13, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  29. ^ Cain-Jackson, Bryan (June 17, 2013). "The Young and the Restless' Max Ehrich on His Daytime Emmy Nomination". HuffPost. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  30. ^ Deese, Hollie (June 10, 2013). "Interview: The Young And The Restless' Max Ehrich". Soaps She Knows. Atomic Online. Archived from the original on July 19, 2013. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  31. ^
    Soap Opera Network
    . Retrieved July 28, 2013.
  32. ^ Bibel, Sara (June 14, 2013). "Deep Soap: Daytime Emmy Nominees Predict the Winners". Xfinity. Retrieved July 29, 2013.
  33. ^ Harris, Beth (June 16, 2013). "Daytime Emmy Winners 2013: 'Young and the Restless' Star Wins After 35 Years, 'Ellen's' Big Win And More". HuffPost. Retrieved July 28, 2013.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Fenmore_Baldwin&oldid=1152155350"