Burn Victim’s Acting Debut to Be on Daytime TV Drama

David Rothenberg, who was horribly burned 14 years ago by his father in a Buena Park motel, will make his acting debut next month on the CBS daytime drama “The Bold and the Beautiful.”

Rothenberg, 20, will portray a burn victim named Justin who counsels another character injured in a fire.

“He visits the hospital to offer support,” said Rothenberg’s agent, Howie Hubberman. “It’s an inspirational thing. It comes from the heart because he went through it.”

Producers from the drama approached Rothenberg about the part, Hubberman said. Rothenberg taped the show earlier this month. His scenes will appear over two days in early March.

“He was excited about the taping,” Hubberman said. “But he didn’t realize how hard it was going to be. He really wanted to learn from the experience.”

Rothenberg has made friends with several producers in the entertainment industry, and has directed and edited several music videos.

“He wants to learn all facets of the business,” Hubberman said. “He plans to go to art school next year.”

Rothenberg was 6 when his father, Charles, doused him with kerosene and set him ablaze in a motel room during a custody dispute.

Rothenberg was burned over 90% of his body.

Charles Rothenberg, who now goes by the name Charles Bocca, was paroled in 1990 after serving a 6 1/2-year sentence.