In 2023, *The Young and the Restless* star Eric Braeden faced a challenging year, battling bladder cancer. Thankfully, he emerged victorious and cancer-free, proving once again that, like his on-screen character Victor Newman, Braeden is a fighter. Having played Victor since January 1980, Braeden’s portrayal has spanned an incredible 44 years. However, as he approaches his 83rd birthday on April 3rd, fans are naturally speculating about his potential retirement, especially following his recent health scare.
Despite the rumors swirling about his departure, Braeden made it clear in an August 2023 interview with Fox News that retirement isn’t on his radar. With nearly six decades in the entertainment industry and over 100 TV shows and films under his belt, Braeden emphasized his unwavering passion for acting. He shared that the joy and satisfaction he still gets from nailing a scene are what keep him going. He even took to Facebook from his Los Angeles backyard to personally reassure fans that he has no plans to retire from *The Young and the Restless*.
Addressing the persistent rumors, Braeden dismissed them as mere clickbait, asserting that he has no intention of stepping away from the role of Victor Newman anytime soon. Jokingly, he added that even if he did retire, starting a new career wouldn’t be in the cards. At 83, Braeden is adamant about continuing to act, expressing deep gratitude for the millions of fans he’s entertained over the years.
Braeden also took the opportunity to praise the show’s writers, led by Josh Griffith, and his talented co-stars, including Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman), Mark Grossman (Adam Newman), Peter Bergman (Jack Abbott), and Amelia Heinle (Victoria Newman). He acknowledged the hard work and dedication that soap actors put into their craft, noting the immense amount of dialogue they must learn in a short time.
Braeden wrapped up his message by thanking the fans, emphasizing that their continued support is what keeps the show alive. As long as *The Young and the Restless* is on the air, you can be sure that Eric Braeden will be there, bringing Victor Newman to life until the very end.
