John O'Hurley Reflects on His Role in The Young and the Restless

The National Dog Show host shares insights about his time on the soap opera.

John O'Hurley feels his character, Dr. James Grainger, could have performed better during his stint on The Young and the Restless. "I don't think I kept a single patient alive in the entire run," O'Hurley, 70, told PEOPLE at the National Dog Show taping in Philadelphia on Nov. 16. "It didn't matter what was wrong, they always ended up in a body bag."

Despite the humor, O'Hurley has fond memories of his experience from 1989 to 1990. This year marked the show's milestone of 13,000 episodes. "I was the Jack Kevorkian of daytime television. It was wonderful," he recalls. O'Hurley felt privileged to work alongside talented daytime actors, appreciating the chance to engage with them creatively on set. "You had to do your homework," he says, recognizing the skill level of his co-stars.

When asked about memorable moments on the show, he referenced his character's appearance. "I had to laugh because I was playing Dr. James Grainger. He was a young, heroic cardiac surgeon with young, heroic cardiac surgeon hair," he explains.

Throughout his career as an actor, host, and voiceover artist, O'Hurley expresses gratitude for participating in many iconic television programs. "I was fortunate to be connected with great brands like Seinfeld, Dancing with the Stars, and [the National Dog Show]," he states.

O'Hurley fondly recalls working on Seinfeld. As J. Peterman, Elaine's boss, he first appeared in season six and remained until the series finale in 1998. "It feels like just yesterday," he shares, noting the ongoing popularity of the show. "It's on Netflix, syndicated, and available in many countries, giving it a lasting presence."

O’Hurley’s connection to the character goes deeper than acting. "The year after Seinfeld ended, I bought the J. Peterman Company with the real J. Peterman," he shares. "So, he and I literally own the company together now. I’ve maintained my ties to both the character and the company." This deep admiration for his role led him to make such a significant investment.

Earlier, SSP reported that Billie Lourd reflected on loss and love.