Y&R Shockwave: Eric Braeden Breaks Silence on Retirement Rumors After 45 Years!
Eric Braeden has played Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless for around 45 years. The actor recently opened up about his time on the soap. In addition, the actor also addressed rumors he might soon be leaving the soap.
Eric Braeden Admitted He Was Surprised By Victor Newman’s Popularity
Braeden has had various notable acting roles throughout his career. He notably appeared in the films Escape from the Planet of the Apes, Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo, and the blockbuster film Titanic. In 2018, he also notably appeared in the film, Den of Thieves, which was directed by his son, Christian Gudegast.
However, for many, Braeden is synonymous with The Young and the Restless‘ Victor Newman. Braeden first appeared on the soap on February 8, 1980. Since then, Victor Newman has since gone onto become a major part of the series’ stories.
Recently, the actor spoke with TV Insider about his 45 years on the soap. As the character of Victor was initially intended as a guest role, Braeden admitted even he was surprised the character would prove so long-lived. As he noted, “If you had told me that then I would have said you’re crazy.”
“I love the show and I love playing the character. He is self-made. He is suspicious. He’s tough. He’s hard. But he’s also vulnerable and he wants family more than anything because he didn’t have it growing up in an orphanage. It’s difficult for Victor to trust. And this is all inherent in the groundwork that [Y&R’s co-creator] Bill Bell laid.”
Over the years, Victor has become one of the soap’s most recognizable characters. However, Braeden doesn’t think he deserves all the credit for Victor’s longevity. As he explained, “In the end, it is hard to define.”
“You can’t define really define someone’s success in this business. It’s a marriage of the right role, the right time, on the right network, surrounded by the right people. It’s serendipitous, really.”
Braeden Shared His Respect For The Writers Of The Young & The Restless
When asked if there something he would have changed about the character if given the chance, Braeden admitted, “Well, I kind of regret that there wasn’t this ongoing relationship with Ashley [Abbott, Eileen Davidson] — that could have always been looming in the background.”
However, Braeden felt it wasn’t his place to criticize the story. As he put it, “But other than that, to be frank with you, no. I have enormous respect for the writers because I would not want to do what they do. I really would not. I don’t know how they do it.”
With Braeden in the role for more than four decades, he also touched on whether he would soon make his exit as the character. For now, he denied any plans to retire.
As Braeden explained, “There were moments, obviously, during negotiations and all that where you say, ‘OK, that’s it. Bon voyage,’ and then it always works out. But the actors I used to work with in the ’60s on nighttime television and film are either not working or they’re gone, passed away. I’m a stubborn son of a bitch. I’m still here.”
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