See the incredible Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett paintings by soap star Thom Bierdz

Thom Bierdz is returning to his acting roots on The Young and the Restless this week (his first episode is set to air on Friday!). But since he left the show more than two decades ago, it’s been painting that has been his passion.

Among the paintings he’s done over the years were portraits of Michael Jackson and Farrah Fawcett who died within hours of each other last week.

“These portraits are looking at me from across from my gallery desk, and have been for years, as they are two of my most cherished pieces,” Thom wrote in an email. “I am saddened by the passing of Michael and Farrah and was fortunate enough to have met them both.  I was a huge fan of both of theirs since I was a teenager!  His creative genius I likened to Picasso’s and personally I so admired the way he reinvented himself (I identified with his lack of self-esteem and had silicone in my jaw to widen it, and I assume Michael did that as well) and Farrah was so radiant when younger, and when I spent an evening with her, I was surprised how sweet and fragile she seemed, and I identified with her social phobia on the particular night we met, through mutual friends who knew we were both artists.  Farrah was a wonderful sculptor.