Unmasking Victor Newman: Eric Braeden Reflects on 45 Years of Power, Passion, and Secrets on The Young and the Restless
For nearly half a century, one man has embodied the ruthless charm, the fiery ambition, and the irresistible mystique of Genoa City’s most powerful figure. Eric Braeden, the legendary actor behind Victor Newman, is celebrating an extraordinary milestone — 45 years on The Young and the Restless.
In a candid and deeply personal interview, Braeden pulls back the curtain on the role that defined him, the secrets that kept the audience hooked, and the unexpected ways Victor Newman blurred the line between fiction and reality.
“I never thought I’d stay this long,” Braeden admits with a half-smile, his voice carrying both pride and disbelief. “But the character of Victor—his flaws, his strength, his complexity—kept evolving. And I kept evolving with him.”
The King of Daytime Drama
When Victor Newman first stormed onto screens in 1980, few could have predicted the cultural force he would become. He wasn’t just another soap opera tycoon—he was a living paradox: brutal yet tender, calculating yet deeply human. And Braeden? He didn’t just play the role; he was the role.
Fans loved to hate him, and hated to love him. But one thing remained constant: they couldn’t look away.
Behind the Victor Mask
Off-screen, Braeden is candid about the toll and triumph of carrying such an iconic character for decades. “There’s a responsibility that comes with playing someone so loved and despised. You have to respect the audience—they’ve lived with Victor longer than some people live with their spouses,” he jokes.
But beneath the humor, there’s an unmistakable sense of reverence. For Braeden, this milestone isn’t just about longevity; it’s about connection. The fan letters, the encounters on the street, the generations of viewers who grew up with Victor—it’s all part of the legacy.
The Secret to 45 Years
So what keeps Eric Braeden—and Victor Newman—endlessly fascinating after 45 years? “Change,” he says simply. “Victor has changed, just as I have. That’s the secret: never letting him stagnate. A character without growth is a character doomed to fade.”
And fade, Victor has not. From epic rivalries to tumultuous romances, corporate takeovers to family feuds, he remains the pulsating heart of The Young and the Restless.
What’s Next for Victor—and for Eric?
At 83, Braeden shows no sign of slowing down. His eyes still carry the unmistakable spark of Victor Newman, a man always two steps ahead. “As long as there’s a story to tell, I’ll be here,” he says, his voice steady, unflinching.
For fans, that promise is electrifying. Because as long as Eric Braeden reigns as Victor Newman, The Young and the Restless remains more than a soap opera—it remains an institution.
