The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless Star Eric Braeden Reflects on His Years as Victor Newman

Published by

Michael Maloney

4 years ago

Next month, Eric Braeden celebrates his 41st year playing Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless. Last year, he sat down with an interviewer from the show to mark his 40th anniversary.

Eric Braeden Looks Back

Braeden discussed a variety of topics including talking over whether or not he should meet with YR when he was given the opportunity to read for the role of Victor. While they were playing tennis, he consulted his actor pal Dabney Coleman (9 to 5; Tootsie), who encouraged Braeden to take the meeting. “Do it, you’ll love it,” Braeden recalled his pal said.

The Daytime Emmy winner also shared stories about his early days in Los Angeles when he got a job parking cars at a fancy restaurant, why he decided to stay at YR beyond the initial run he signed up for, the Newman/Abbott feud, and so much more.

Braeden says that he had played bad guys on over 120 shows and he was looking forward to bringing to life someone more fleshed out. He praises late YR creator/senior executive producer/head writer William J. Bell for crafting Victor’s backstory — he was born Christian Miller and his mother, Cora (Dorothy McGuire) felt forced to leave him at an orphanage because she could no longer care for him.

“I called my wife and said, ‘I’m going to stay,'” Braeden recalled, realizing that there were endless opportunities with Victor.

Braeden reflects on other meaningful memories in this video interview. He shares his thoughts on many co-stars including Melody Thomas Scott, who plays Victor’s beloved Nikki, Joshua Morrow, who plays his son Nick, and the late Kristoff St. John (ex-Neil), who died in 2018.

Braeden calls receiving his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame the greatest honor of his career. “I’ll never forget that day,” he says. And viewers will never forget Braeden and Victor Newman! What’s next for the mustached mogul and his portrayer? Stay tuned to find out! The Young and the Restless airs weekdays on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.