Some soap opera relationships leave a lasting impression, even after the actors move on to other roles. That was certainly the case when The Young and the Restless star Eric Braeden and The Bold and the Beautiful’s Heather Tom shared a sweet embrace on the 2026 Daytime Emmy red carpet. Soap Hub captured the touching moment between the actors who once portrayed Victor and Victoria Newman, and Tom’s joyful expression said everything.
Key Takeaways
- Eric Braeden and Heather Tom shared a touching reunion on the 2026 Daytime Emmy red carpet.
- Tom portrayed Victoria Newman on Y&R from 1990 to 2003, playing Braeden’s onscreen daughter.
- Both actors were nominated for Lead Performer Emmys, although neither took home the trophy.
A Newman Family Reunion Worth Remembering
For 13 years, Heather Tom portrayed Victoria Newman opposite Eric Braeden’s Victor Newman on Y&R. From 1990 until 2003, viewers watched their characters navigate the complicated father-daughter relationship that remains one of the show’s defining family dynamics.
Victor and Victoria certainly had their share of disagreements over the years. After all, Victor has never been particularly good at letting his children make their own decisions. However, beneath all those Newman family battles was a complicated bond that helped make both characters fan favorites.
Tom eventually left Genoa City behind, and Amelia Heinle took over the role of Victoria in 2005. Meanwhile, Braeden continued portraying the Newman patriarch, a role he’s played since 1980.
More than two decades after Tom’s departure, seeing the former onscreen father and daughter together again was a wonderful reminder of their shared history.
Two Emmy Nominees, One Special Moment
Both actors had plenty to celebrate heading into the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards on Friday, October 30.
Braeden earned a nomination for Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series: Actor for his work as Victor. Tom was nominated in the corresponding actress category for portraying Katie Logan Spencer on B&B.
Although neither won, their nominations put them among daytime television’s most celebrated performers.
Ultimately, Tom’s B&B co-star Scott Clifton (Liam Spencer) won Outstanding Lead Actor, while Beyond the Gates star Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree) took home Outstanding Lead Actress.
Still, the red carpet offered something that had nothing to do with winning or losing. See the full list of 2026 Daytime Emmy winners.
Some Soap Connections Never Fade
Soap fans know that actors can leave roles behind without losing the connections they built along the way. That’s especially true when performers spend more than a decade portraying members of the same family.
Braeden and Tom helped establish a version of the Newman father-daughter relationship that longtime viewers still remember, even though Victoria has been portrayed by another actress for more than 20 years.
Their red carpet reunion was a reminder of just how much history these actors share. Soap Hub captured a moment that longtime Y&R fans can appreciate. Sometimes, the sweetest moments at an awards show happen before anyone even opens an envelope.
