Eric Braeden, the iconic actor known for portraying Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, is marking an impressive 45 years on the CBS daytime drama.
However, this milestone is met with a mixture of joy and sorrow, as Braeden recently faced the tragic loss of his home in the devastating fires that swept through Pacific Palisades.
On February 8, 2025, Braeden reflected on his remarkable career and personal hardships.
Despite the emotional toll of losing his home, he remains resolute and optimistic, taking life one step at a time.
“It’s been kind of peculiar,” Braeden admits. “Emotionally, you go through ups and downs, but we shall take it step by step.
There are uncertainties regarding insurance, and it’s a very difficult situation.”
The loss of his home brought painful memories to the forefront, particularly his time spent with his wife and granddaughter before the holidays. “I looked into the rubble and remembered my wife and my granddaughter, who we adore, sitting there before Christmas and having a wonderful conversation about her experiences and her travels,” he shares. Despite the devastation, Braeden draws strength from his past experiences, recalling his upbringing during World War II, which helped him maintain an optimistic outlook. “Some of me is optimistic. You just look forward. Screw it all,” he adds.
Amid these personal challenges, Braeden has found solace in his role as Victor Newman, a character he has portrayed since 1980. Playing Victor has offered a welcome distraction from his worries, allowing Braeden to channel his energy into his work. “You need to focus, otherwise you can’t do the scenes,” he explains. “So it gives you a little relief from the constant concerns and worries.”
While Braeden and his family are still figuring out the next steps regarding their property, they are determined to rebuild, though navigating the complexities of insurance and clean-up efforts in the area remains a significant hurdle. “We’re formulating the plan,” he says. “I don’t want to rush into it. So far, we intend to rebuild, but that is contingent on insurance companies actually insuring us in those areas. That’s going to be a huge problem.”
Despite these hardships, Braeden has experienced moments of pride and joy. One notable highlight for his family is the success of Den of Thieves 2: Pantera, which was written and directed by his son, Christian Gudegast. The film topped the box office for several weeks, leaving Braeden feeling immense pride in his son’s accomplishment. “It was number one in the box office for a while and I couldn’t be happier,” he exclaims. “It’s interesting how life works. That was an enormous feeling of success and happiness, and then on the other hand, you are reminded of what you lost — 40 years of accumulated memories.”
As for his career, Braeden never imagined he would spend 45 years on The Young and the Restless when he first joined the cast. “If you had told me that then I would have said you’re crazy,” he admits. However, his dedication to the show and the character of Victor Newman, a complex self-made man with a tumultuous past, is unwavering. “I love the show and I love playing the character,” Braeden shares. “He’s self-made. He’s 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.”
Braeden recognizes the role that timing, luck, and the right people have played in his success. “In the end, it is hard to define 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,” he reflects.
Throughout his career, Braeden has had memorable moments, such as playing John Jacob Astor IV in the 1997 blockbuster Titanic. Despite some initial concerns about the film’s success, Braeden was confident it would be a hit, and he was right. He fondly recalls his experience on set, with director James Cameron taking the time to show his family the first five minutes of the film. “I knew then it would make a fortune,” he says.
Looking back on his 45 years in Genoa City, Braeden is proud of the work he’s done and the relationships he’s built with his co-stars. “We entertain millions of people all over the world and that gives you a certain feeling of responsibility to do it as well as you can,” he says, praising his fellow cast members, including Joshua Morrow, Mark Grossman, and Melody Thomas Scott.
Braeden has no plans to retire anytime soon. “I’m a stubborn son of a bitch. I’m still here,” he declares with characteristic determination. Through both triumphs and tragedies, Eric Braeden continues to be a stalwart presence on The Young and the Restless, proving that the strength and resilience of his character, Victor Newman, mirrors his own.
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