Rumors swirled recently claiming that veteran actor Eric Braeden — best known for his portrayal of Victor Newman — had decided to exit the long‑running soap. As of December 2025, Braeden has publicly debunked those rumors, making it clear the whispers of departure are “simply not true.” SoapCentral+2Yahoo+2
The Young and the Restless Spoilers: Eric Braeden Sets the Record Straight About Victor Newman’s Rumored Y&R Exit
The speculation began when an unofficial fan page posted a message suggesting Braeden had formally announced his exit from the show. That post included a group picture with several of his co‑stars and was accompanied by a headline reading something along the lines of “Eric Braeden Says ‘Goodbye’ on Instagram.” Yahoo+1
Within hours, Braeden addressed the claim on his own social media. His response was brief, firm, and unambiguous: “SIMPLY NOT TRUE!!!” SoapCentral+1
His Health — And Why He Says He’s Not Leaving
Given his age and past health challenges — including a bladder cancer diagnosis — some fans assumed he might soon retire. Indeed, the actor was open about his diagnosis and treatments back in 2023, though he emphasized he was continuing to work on Y&R at the time. TheWrap+1
In a 2024 interview, Braeden confirmed he has no plans to walk away from the show. He noted that his cancer is under control, his new knee is fully repaired, and he feels well enough to keep giving Victor Newman life. Celeb Dirty Laundry+1
He told reporters: “I will not, I don’t want to.” The actor, now approaching 46 years on the show, said he still enjoys working and remains committed to both the role and the series. TV Insider+1
What This Means for Fans of Victor Newman
For longtime viewers, this is welcome — if unsurprising — news. Victor Newman remains a central figure in Genoa City’s ongoing saga, and Braeden’s dismissal of the rumors should put to rest fears that the character might soon vanish from the canvas.
Given how long Braeden has played Victor, many fans see him as irreplaceable. As one commenter on Reddit put it (referring to the rumor as absurd):
“They will have to pry Victor Newman from EB’s cold dead hands.” Reddit
For now, then, Victor is here to stay — and Braeden seems more committed than ever to preserving the legacy of a character that’s become a soap‑opera institution.
