CBS ‘The Young And The Restless’ (Y&R) spoilers show that Eric Braeden has been a force to be reckoned with in daytime television. For decades, he has held the role of Victor Newman, and for decades he has been the face of the popular series. Though I’m new to the world of soap operas, it’s easy to see the effect the man has had and the mark he will leave. I didn’t know he had appeared in several other popular television shows or that his career began way back in 1961! However, I did have a hell of a time looking back at his accomplishments and his beginning.
In his first role, he played the character of Klaus in ‘Operation Eichmann’, which starred Werner Klemperer, popularly known for his role as Col. Klink in ‘Hogan’s Heroes’. While this was his first movie role, he has previously appeared as Captain Hans Dietrich, on the World War II television series ‘The Rat Patrol’ (1966).
CBS ‘The Young And The Restless’ Spoilers: Before He Was A Legend – Eric Braeden’s Beginning
He immigrated to the U.S and as a gifted athlete in Track and Fied, won a scholarship to Montana State University. This is where he filmed his first documentary, The Riverbusters’, about their successful attempt to be the first men to take a boat from the source to the mouth of the Salmon River and back again. He left for Los Angeles hoping to find a distributor for his film but was surprised when his handsome visage and accented English made him a valuable actor for many. He did roles under his real name, Hans Gudegast, until his role in ‘The Rat Patrol’.
In 1970, he experienced success with the film ‘Colossus: The Forbin Project’. Braeden was able to step into the role after the director wanted an unknown, and chose not to use Gregory Peck or Charlton Heston. Over the next ten years, he kept acting under the name Eric Braeden, even doing Broadway and in Los Angeles area theatre. It was in 1980 that everything changed, and he accepted a role on ‘The Young and the Restless’. Reluctantly, he signed on for a three-month deal. Luckily, he’s stuck with it and all these decades later is still thrilling us as Victor Newman. Many fans of his have probably already known this and read his book, ‘I’ll Be Damned’. However, coming in as a new viewer and scrolling through his IMDB history was very enlightening. The man has had an incredible life.
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