Y&R’ Eric Braeden Reveals Being Treated Poorly By Colleagues
Eric Braeden has had a prominent career as a soap star, playing Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless for years. However, he recently admitted that even he gets looked down on for his work. This came out as the star was having a conversation with a few other prominent soap opera stars.
Eric Braeden First Joined The Young And The Restless In 1980
Braeden was first offered the role of Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless in 1980. The role was initially meant to only last a few months. However, he proved popular enough to have his time on the show extended
Since then, fans have continued to see Braeden appear on the soap over the ensuing decades. The role has also won him a Soap Opera Digest Award, a People’s Choice Award, and a Daytime Emmy Awar
In addition, Braeden has appeared in a variety of projects over the years. In 1997, he famously played John Jacob Astor IV in the blockbuster film, Titanic.
However, things haven’t always been easy for the actor. Recently, Braeden talked about the stigma of working in daytime television during an appearance on the new podcast series, Soapy.
This CBS podcast is headlined by two other soap alumni. These are Rebecca Budig, who is known for her work on All My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful, and Greg Rikaart, who is known for his work on The Young and the Restless and Days of Our Lives.
During their conversation, Rikaart noted that many soap actors use the genre as a “training ground,” before moving onto other acting roles, though he took issue with the idea that soap roles weren’t “professional.” Braeden responded to this, saying, “You better be prepared.
Braeden Felt He Still Got The Last Laugh Over These Colleagues
At this, Rikaart noted that Braeden was an “advocate” for soaps. He then asked Braeden if he had people “looking down upon” him for his work.
Braeden admitted, “Oh, they all do. I remember colleagues I used to work with, obviously in a nighttime film, when you meet, you say, ‘So what’s up, what’s new with you?’ I said, ‘I’m doing a soap.’” He then claimed these co-stars would reply with things like “What? Oh. Huh.”
However, the man behind Victor Newman teased that he still had the last laugh. He shared, “They’re all dead, or they’re all gone, or they haven’t worked in years… I’m still at it.”
Rikaart shared that he was impressed, noting, “Any of them would be lucky to have your career.” Braeden noted, “I love it. So it’s a stupid prejudice, based on absolute ignorance.”
Have you been following The Young and the Restless? Did you watch Eric Braeden during his recent podcast appearance?
