The Young and the Restless, the many faces of Matt Clark 

The Young and the Restless viewers heard a name that was a blast from the past when Sharon called out "Matt Clark" upon seeing actor Roger Howarth in a scene they were in today's episode. Veteran viewers recall that Matt was Nick and Sharon's first, and in many ways, greatest adversary. Just who is Matt Clark?

The Young and the Restless, Eddie Cibrian as Matt Clark

For starters, Matt is supposed to be dead. After suffering injuries in a car accident, Matt tore out his tubes in an attempt to frame Nick (Joshua Morrow), his rival from their teen years. Now, let's go back to the beginning!

Eddie Cibrian (Third Watch) originated the role of Matt Clark 31 years ago! The two men weren't always enemies. In fact, Nick, Amy (Julianne Morris), Sharon (Sharon Case), and Matt used to hang out at Crimson Lights, the coffee shop that Nick and Sharon would later buy. However, Matt, jealous of Nick's wealth and Sharon's feelings for Nick, became violent. He raped Sharon. Nick went over to Matt's to confront him, but when he walked in, he discovered that Matt Clark had been shot!

The police arrived, Nick was arrested, and he was put on trial. Nick was convicted and sent to prison. Victor showed up with evidence to exonerate his son just in time. The real shooter was Amy! Matt skipped town. Nick and Sharon were married and had Noah (Lucas Adams).

Cibrian went on to find fame in prime time (Third Watch, Ugly Betty), movies (Living Out Loud), and he returned to soaps in the short-lived Sunset Beach, which ran from 1997-99.

Rick Hearst as Matt Clark

Matt returned to Genoa City in 2000, having had plastic surgery so he could infiltrate himself into Nick and Sharon's lives and get his revenge. After an initial run by actor Russell Lawrence, actor Rick Hearst (Ric, General Hospital) took over the part as Matt's plan escalated. It backfired when he landed in a hospital bed following a car wreck. Matt ripped out the tubes keeping him alive in an effort to frame Nick (who was in the room) for his "murder." Matt died (or "died"). However, his plan failed as Nick was exonerated.

Matt Clark, Roger Howarth

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Of course, we're going to learn more about Matt's return in upcoming episodes. For starters, how is he alive? Did he have something to do with Noah's accident? And if he, by some chance, is not Matt, then who is he? Howarth is a powerhouse actor, having won a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Young Actor in a Drama Series for his turn as Todd Manning on One Life to Live. He has brought an edge and an element of mystery and danger to his characters. Are Sharon and Nick in for another fight for their lives with Matt's return? Stay tuned to find out!

Catch all new episodes of The Young and the Restless weekdays on CBS and Paramount Plus

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