Celebrity Jobber Podcast with Jeff Zito: Michael Damian

Release Date: October 24, 2025

Overview

In this episode of the Celebrity Jobber podcast, host Jeff Zito interviews Michael Damian, best known for his long-running role as Danny Romalotti on The Young and the Restless, his number one hit cover of "Rock On," and his star turn on Broadway in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. The conversation centers on Damian’s unconventional journey from a family band to Hollywood and chart success, spotlighting the value of perseverance, family, and grabbing opportunities when they arise. True to the podcast’s theme, they also dig into Damian’s very first job and speculate on what life would look like if not for his “big break.”

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Family Roots & Musical Upbringing

• Michael Damian was born into an exceptionally musical family—the Weirs—with nine children, all musicians.
  • "My mother was a concert pianist and she taught us all. I have eight brothers and sisters... We all play multiple instruments and sing." (Michael Damian, 06:01)
• The Weirs performed as a family band for many years, akin to a real-life Partridge Family—albeit, Damian says, without the fancy bus.

Notable Quote

"My mom was very busy." (Michael Damian, 08:26)
— On his mother raising nine children, nearly one per year.

Timestamps

• Discussion begins about family band: 06:01
• Details on sibling musicianship and career: 08:10 – 09:28

2. Breakthrough via American Bandstand and Acting

• Damian’s “big break” was a televised performance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand at age 18.
  • "That really started everything... Dick Clark is—he’s been just so inspirational and wow, love him and really miss him." (Michael Damian, 09:58)
• Producers of The Young and the Restless saw the performance and wrote the role of Danny Romalotti specifically for him.
• At first, he had never acted professionally and fibbed about his acting experience to seize the opportunity.
  • "They asked, 'Do you act?' on the phone, and I said 'yes.'" (Michael Damian, 11:04)
  • "Little white lie. I'm acting. You know, I act around the house." (Michael Damian, 11:36)

Notable Quote

"When they said that I could do music and act at the same time, I thought, I gotta seize the moment." (Michael Damian, 11:21)

Timestamps

• The American Bandstand story: 06:01 – 09:58
• Transition to acting: 11:04 – 12:13

3. First Job Before Fame

• Damian’s first job was at age 15, making pizzas at Garo's Pizzeria in Los Angeles.
  • "Yes, I made pizzas at Garo's Pizzeria in... on 3rd street right across from Cedars Sinai hospital. I was 15, 15 years old." (Michael Damian, 12:28)

Timestamps

• First job and transition to The Young and the Restless: 12:28 – 12:47

4. Continuing Musical Success & Family Support

• Damian’s brothers are Grammy-winning producers and own Studio City Sound in LA; many major artists have recorded there.
• Sisters continue to play music, often at churches.
• His latest single “Let Me Into Your Heart” was produced by his brothers and is being performed on The Young and the Restless.
  • "It’s the first of an album... And you know what’s so cool about it is that I’m performing it on Young the Restless today." (Michael Damian, 13:04)

Timestamps

• Brothers' careers and Studio City Sound: 08:38 – 09:28
• New music and recent projects: 13:04 – 13:48

5. Parental Influence & Origin Story

• Damian’s mother was on a trajectory to become a top concert pianist but became devoted to family after meeting his father—an architect—through church choir.
  • "My mom was... being groomed as like one of the top concert pianists... But then she ran into my dad and had nine kids, so that kind of derailed that whole thing." (Michael Damian, 14:07)

Timestamps

• Parents’ backgrounds, how they met, and influence: 14:07 – 15:03

6. No Backup Plan—Just Determination

• Damian never seriously considered a backup plan; he focused on clear goals and was determined to achieve them.
  • "This is probably not good advice for young people, but I did not have a backup plan..." (Michael Damian, 17:48)
• He shifted goals as opportunities arose, moving from recording music, to Broadway, to filmmaking.
  • "Set goals and don't back off if you really believe in it." (Michael Damian, 18:55)
• Damian’s perseverance example: His hit cover “Rock On” was rejected 10 times but eventually reached number one.

Notable Quote

"We got a number one record out of it, multi-gold. And so, you know, I'm just glad I didn’t give up." (Michael Damian, 19:36)

Timestamps

• Philosophy on not having a backup plan and setting goals: 17:48 – 19:42
• Reflection on “Rock On” and rejection: 18:54 – 19:42

Memorable Moments & Quotes

• On Perpetual Youth:
  "Cricket is de-aging. I'm trying to get her secret." (Michael Damian, 04:51)

• On Sibling Success:
  "My brothers are Grammy award-winning hit... producers and have a top recording studio in LA..." (Michael Damian, 08:38)

• On Parental Support:
  "My parents were so incredibly supportive." (Michael Damian, 15:03)

• On Taking the Leap in Acting:
  "They asked, 'Do you act?' on the phone, and I said 'yes.'" (Michael Damian, 11:04)
  "[I was a] little white lie. I'm acting. You know, I act around the house." (Michael Damian, 11:36)

• On Perseverance:
  "They said, 'We don’t hear the hit.' And I was like, well, I still think it’s a hit, so maybe I’m just, you know, delusional. But we got a number one record out of it." (Michael Damian, 19:36)

Episode Timeline

| Timestamp | Segment | |---------------|------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:33 | Jeff greets Michael Damian and recalls family fandom. | | 06:01 | Damian discusses growing up in a family band. | | 09:58 | Breakthrough on American Bandstand and Young & Restless. | | 11:04 | Discusses acting "by accident" and seizing opportunity. | | 12:28 | First job: making pizzas at age 15. | | 13:04 | New music project and performing on Y&R. | | 14:07 | Parents’ musical and architectural backgrounds. | | 15:03 | Family commitment to children’s careers. | | 17:48 | No backup plan—driven by setting and achieving goals. | | 18:54 | Overcoming rejection; never giving up. | | 19:42 | Zito reflects on the importance of pursuing dreams. |

Listener Takeaways

• Damian’s path to stardom was as much about family and environment as it was about seizing unexpected opportunities.
• His family’s unwavering support and musicality was crucial, even as siblings found success behind the scenes.
• Damian’s story is an example of the “jobber” ideal: ordinary roots, relentless pursuit, and making the most of “big break” moments.
• His philosophy—no backup plan, just set your sights on your goals and persist—offers inspiration but also a note of caution to risk-takers.

Episode Mood & Tone

Friendly, nostalgic, and motivational. Jeff Zito balances fanboy enthusiasm with journalistic curiosity, while Michael Damian brings genuine warmth, humor, humility, and gratitude for his career and family.

Quick Facts

• First Job: Pizza maker at Garo's Pizzeria, Los Angeles (15 years old)
• Big Break: Performance on American Bandstand, leading to The Young and the Restless role
• Favorite Career Moment: Achieving number one with “Rock On” in the face of repeated rejection
• Current Projects: New single "Let Me Into Your Heart," album (out January 2026), recent #1 Netflix film The Wrong Paris, ongoing acting and music

Notable Quotes (with Attribution and Timestamp)

• "My mother was a concert pianist... we had a family band for many years."
  — Michael Damian (06:01)

• "Dick Clark... That really started everything... I really just, Dick Clark is—he’s been just so inspirational and wow, love him and really miss him."
  — Michael Damian (09:58)

• "Little white lie. I'm acting. You know, I act around the house."
  — Michael Damian (11:36)

• "Yes, I made pizzas at Garo's Pizzeria... I was 15, 15 years old."
  — Michael Damian (12:28)

• "Set goals and don't back off if you really believe in it. That's what I just think. You gotta, gotta go for it."
  — Michael Damian (18:55)

For more celebrity origin stories and career journeys, listen to past episodes or follow @celebrity_jobber_podcast on social media.