They say a picture is worth a thousand words, but we wonder what good is a picture when you can’t recognize the subject? Above is a snapshot of a future star of soaps, but can you guess who this adult-supported tyke grew up to be?
Star Of The Soaps
Obviously this young man (now all grown up) is either currently starring in, or is an alum of, one of the four remaining daytime dramas – The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, and The Young and the Restless – but that’s probably not enough of a hint.
So try these on for size. He is a proud immigrant. He adopted his stage name on the advice of the (then) owner of Universal Studios. He has received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. He is a published memoirist. And one of his children is a writer/director of some renown.
But just who can he be? Is this a photograph of John McCook (Eric Forrester, BB), John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis, DAYS), John Beradino (ex-Dr. Steve Hardy, GH), or Eric Braeden (Victor Newman, YR)?
John McCook
Soon after signing an exclusive contract with Universal Studios, McCook was forced to change his name by meddling executives. After being conscripted into the U.S. Army (and serving a two-year stint), McCook was released from his previous commitment and allowed to return to his original name. But the adaption of a stage name is the only thing that McCook has in common with today’s featured star.
John Aniston
Aniston was 2 years old when he and his parents immigrated to the U.S. from Crete, Greece. However, it was Aniston’s father, Antonios, who anglicized his name from Yiannis Anastasakis to John, not a Hollywood mover and shaker. So he isn’t today’s mystery actor.
John Beradino
And neither is Los Angeles native Beradino. This in spite of the fact that his given name was changed from Giovanni to John and that he is the recipient of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 6801 Hollywood Blvd).
Eric Braeden
Born Hans Jorg Gudegast, Braeden immigrated to America on an oceanliner upon graduating from high school. He began his acting career under his Christian name but mounting pressure from Lew Wasserman, then head of Universal Studios, resulted in him adopting the stage name Eric Braeden.
For his contributions to the film and television industry, Braeden was awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (at 7021 Hollywood Blvd.). And it’s clear that talent runs in the family. Braeden’s son, Christian Gudegast, is a writer/director whose credits include London Has Fallen and Den of Thieves.
So, if you guessed that the future star of soaps seen in the image above was Eric Braeden – author of the 2017 autobiography, I’ll Be Damned – then you were absolutely correct!
