The Young and the Restless

Why Eric Braeden Is Beloved As Young and the Restless’ Victor Newman

Published by

Diane Brounstein

3 years ago

There is only one Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless — and only one man who could play him — Eric Braeden. The Daytime Emmy-winning actor has been dazzling fans as the charismatic Genoa City power broker since 1980. He has been driving story pretty much the entire time and viewers wouldn’t have it any other way.

Eric Braeden — Power and Romance

There are many sides to The Mustache, as his rival Jack Abbott (Peter Bergman) tends to refer to him. There’s the loving husband to Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott), the strident father to Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), Nicholas Newman (Joshua Morrow), Adam Newman (Mark Grossman), and Abby Newman-Abbott Chancellor (Melissa Ordway), as well as several grandchildren.

But it’s the power he wields and the women he’s wooed that makes it so you can never take your eyes off of him. No person better cross him or you’ll live (if you’re lucky) to regret it. He’s been known to lock up rivals like Michael Scott (Nicholas Benedict) who he felt was a threat but he can also be incredibly tender and has been known to shed a tear because he loves so hard.

All of that is possible because of the range of actor Eric Braeden, who isn’t afraid to show his character’s vulnerability. He seems as comfortable letting his guard down as he is showing Victor hitting the punching bag. Victor does anything he can to protect those he loves with no apologies — and he even has a soft spot in his heart for dogs — and he’s had a few over the decades. How can you not love that?

Even when Victor is at his worst and fighting with characters that fans also love, you can’t help but root for him to come out on top. Because that is what viewers have come to expect — Victor is a winner. And don’t you forget it. You got that?

The Young and the Restless (YR) airs weekdays on CBS. Check your local listings for airtimes. For more about what’s coming up in Genoa City, check out all the latest that’s been posted on Y&R spoilers, and for an in-depth look at the show’s history, click here.