Eric Braeden, known for his iconic portrayal of Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless,
faced a devastating reality when he returned to his former home in Pacific Palisades, California, after it was destroyed by the recent Los Angeles fires.
In an emotional interview with Entertainment Tonight, the 83-year-old actor opened up
about the heart-wrenching experience of seeing the property he and his family called home for 45 years reduced to rubble.
“I left as Rogers Park was burning,” Braeden shared, recalling the frightening moment when the fires first began. “The fire hadn’t jumped the canyon yet.”
Unfortunately, as Braeden made his way back to the property, the fire had indeed jumped the canyon, consuming his beloved home in the process. “Oh boy. Look at that.
It’s all burned down, man,” Braeden said, his voice heavy with disbelief.
The actor, who had spent decades living in the house with his family, admitted that he was taken aback by the emotional toll the destruction had on him. “I didn’t think it would hit me this much,” he confessed. “I’m devastated.” The house was not just a building for Braeden; it was a place filled with cherished memories.
As Braeden gazed at the charred remnants of his home, he was overwhelmed with nostalgia and sadness. “I don’t want my family to see this,” he said, noting how difficult it was to witness the loss of such a meaningful place. Reflecting on the past, Braeden mentioned some of the precious moments he and his family had shared within the walls of their home, including his son’s high school blowouts and the Christmas songs sung by the family during the holidays.
“I grew up during the second World War,” Braeden continued, drawing a parallel between the devastation he was witnessing and the destruction he had witnessed as a child. “The destruction was the same. I always thought if that hillside there goes aflame, it could easily jump. And it never has in 45 years. And now it did.”
The loss of the home left Braeden with a profound sense of grief. “It’s such a feeling of loss. Indescribable,” he said. “It leaves you totally disoriented.” But despite the overwhelming emotion, Braeden refused to let this setback define him. He expressed a renewed hope to rebuild, despite acknowledging that he and his wife were getting older. “We’re getting on in age, but…,” he trailed off, implying that the journey of rebuilding would not be easy, but was still something they were determined to do.
Braeden’s connection to the home was far more than just sentimental. He recalled the time and effort he spent looking for a home in the area, stating that he had viewed some 30 different houses before finally settling on the one that would become their family’s sanctuary. “I knew it [was the one] instantly,” he said, recalling the moment when he found the house that felt right.
It was only later that Braeden discovered that his home had once belonged to a writer from Seinfeld, a show that he greatly admired. “One of the shows that I admired the most,” he remarked with fondness. This added layer of history to the property made the loss even more poignant for the actor, as he had unknowingly inherited a piece of television history when he moved in.
Despite the overwhelming grief, Braeden’s determination to rebuild shines through. The actor’s resilience in the face of such a significant loss speaks to his enduring spirit, and his fans can be sure that he will continue to move forward, despite the hardship.
Braeden’s emotional journey serves as a reminder of the powerful connections we form with the places that shape our lives. While the physical home may be gone, the memories, love, and strength that it represented will stay with him and his family forever.
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