HOLLYWOOD—This week’s Leading Men Gold Standard goes to three talented actors whose characters made turning points in their lives. The actors had to make changes in their performances, which increased their likability with viewers. Aaron D. Spears, who portrays Justin Barber on “The Bold and the Beautiful,” is an NAACP nominated leading man who decided that he wanted to put his family together, after not having that opportunity two decades earlier. Maurice Benard, who portrays Sonny Corinthos on “General Hospital,” is in a very shocking and highly emotional storyline as Sonny and Brenda are in another disastrous relationship. Also, Billy Miller, who portrays Billy Abbott, proved again what a solid actor he is and how dependable his daily performances are on “The Young and the Restless.”

This week as Justin Barber and Donna Logan felt their romance from high school rekindled, the handsome attorney decided to pop the question and ask Donna to marry him. Donna had been very sad about the end of her marriage to Eric Forrester, and she also felt slightly guilty because she had not told Justin she had gotten pregnant nearly 20 years ago when they were in high school. Donna hid the baby, and then gave him up for adoption because she feared trapping Justin in a relationship when he had just received a scholarship to play basketball in college. The secret son eventually surfaced a few years ago and turned out to be a fine young man. Since that time Donna and Justin have kept their relationship as friends, but this week it took a whole different turn. Aaron D. Spears is coming out of the shadows of a supporting actor and into the light of one of “B&B’s” best leading men.

Maurice Benard, who portrays Sonny on the ABC soap “General Hospital,” faced off with his inner demons this week. It caused Sonny to have an emotional breakdown and ended up pulling a gun on his beloved Brenda. Sonny and Brenda’s relationship has always been toxic and unstable, but this week it went to a whole new level and so did Benard’s brilliant performance. “GH” fans are anxious to see where the storyline goes next week.

Billy Miller is one of my all time favorite young “Y&R” actors. Miller constantly pulls off solid and amazing performances. The Emmy winner is handsome and worthy of another nomination this year. Miller plays a young husband, Billy, who is not only in love with his wife Victoria, but is trying to make her life better since she miscarried their child. This week, Billy brought home a baby whom he illegally adopted only to hand her off to his wife, who initially was cool on the idea. Victoria’s been hurt a lot and feared falling in love with the infant and having her taken away. Within a few hours Victoria was in love with her new baby and changed her mind about accepting the child. Fans know that Billy’s black market adoption will ultimately cause heartache for the super couple, and we can hardly wait to see those scenes when a heartbroken Victoria confronts husband Billy on this terrible mistake.

“Y&R” and “B&B” both air weekdays on CBS.

Photographs are Courtesy: Justin D. Spears by Gilles Toucas, Bell Phillip TV Productions, Maurice Benard by Edifikation Productions and Billy Miller by John Paschal, JPI Studios© West Hollywood