Spoiler Alert: Tragic Death😭 Young and Restless Star Eric Braeden Really Dead!! It Will Shock Everyone!
The world of The Young and the Restless was rocked by a shocking turn of events, as the show celebrated a huge milestone—its 13,000th episode. In the lead-up to this
monumental day, fans were treated to a special moment: the return of the iconic Newman Ranch. For many, this wasn’t just a nostalgic callback to the past, but a
statement about the future, with the Newman family remaining at the heart of the show. And, of course, at the center of it all is Victor Newman, the ruthless yet beloved tycoon who has been portrayed by Eric Braeden for nearly 45 years.
Eric Braeden’s portrayal of Victor has become legendary, but with the passing of time, fans couldn’t help but wonder how long the actor would continue in the role. After all, 45 years is a long time to play a character, even one as iconic as Victor. Luckily, when TV Insider sat down with the actor, they got some answers. Braeden made it clear that he has no plans to retire. “I will not retire,” he told the outlet. “I don’t want to.” His decision to stay on the show is a far cry from the actor’s initial approach to the role.
When Braeden first joined Y&R in 1980, he signed on for just three months. After that, he agreed to extend his commitment for a year, but he had no interest in staying long-term, particularly when it came to playing a simple villain. In fact, Braeden has spoken numerous times about how frustrated he became with playing villains, both in prime time and daytime TV. He wanted more depth and drama—something beyond the typical “cartoonish” bad guy roles that were common at the time.
Braeden went directly to the show’s co-creator, Bill Bell, and told him that unless Victor Newman was given a more substantial backstory—something that would explain and justify his ruthless actions—he didn’t want to continue in the role. Just two months later, Bell came up with a brilliant storyline: Victor had grown up in an orphanage, giving him the tragic backstory that turned him into the complex character fans know and love today. From that moment on, Braeden was fully committed to the role and has never looked back.
Now, as he reflects on his time with the show, Braeden says he feels great and has no plans of slowing down anytime soon. He shared that his battle with bladder cancer is under control, and while the condition requires constant monitoring, the signs are promising. “I feel very well,” Braeden told TV Insider. “The bladder cancer is under control, and I will have another cystoscopy in about a month. If that’s negative, then I’ll be free for a while. It’s never gone completely; you always have to watch, but the signs are very good at this point. I’m very, very fortunate.”
Despite his health challenges, Braeden says that he’s still completely dedicated to playing Victor. While he may not agree with all of Victor’s actions, Braeden finds that he can relate to the emotional core of the character. “The emotional components are there, and I agree with them completely,” he explained. “It’s easy for me to play, and I love it.”
For fans of Y&R, it’s a relief to hear that Braeden isn’t going anywhere anytime soon. His portrayal of Victor has been an anchor for the show for decades, and his commitment to the role continues to inspire fans and castmates alike. In his full interview with TV Insider, Braeden opens up about his thoughts on the 13,000th episode, the revival of the Newman Ranch, and his enduring passion for the character of Victor.
However, as The Young and the Restless moves forward, there are always surprises in store. While Braeden has made it clear that he’s not planning to retire, the shocking news of his “tragic death” has sent ripples through the fanbase, leaving many wondering if this is the end of an era for both the actor and the character. What does this mean for the future of Y&R? Fans are on edge, and we’re all waiting to see what happens next. Stay tuned as this storyline continues to unfold, and as always, share your thoughts in the comments!
