Eric Braeden

Actor
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The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

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About
About this interview

In his three-hour Archive interview, Eric Braeden talks about growing up in Germany during World War II and emigrating to the United States. He describes his interest in acting and outlines his first major television role in the series The Rat Patrol. He discusses his film work, including roles in "Escape from the Planet of the Apes," "Colossus: The Forbin Project," and James Cameron's "Titanic." Braeden then details the role with which he's most associated, that of "Victor Newman" on the daytime drama The Young and the Restless. He recalls some of his character's major storylines, comments on co-stars and the show's creators, and outlines production on the popular soap opera. He also speaks of producing and starring in the film, "The Man Who Came Back." Stephen J. Abramson conducted the interview on August 16, 2010 in Pacific Palisades, CA.

"I think one of the most essential things in acting is to show vulnerability. I think that is what people are partly attracted to in this character [Victor Newman]. He's vulnerable. He's not really tough and hard. He's vulnerable as well."

Interviewee(s)
Eric Braeden
Highlights
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and "Nikki Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on working with co-star Peter Bergman on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and "Ashley Abbott" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on Lew Wasserman wanting him to change his name
Eric Braeden on playing "John Jacob Astor" in the film "Titanic"
Full Interview

Chapter 1
On his early years growing up in Germany; on the importance of sports in his life; on emigrating to the United States and becoming a rancher
On his start in acting and some of his early roles in films and plays
On co-starring in The Rat Patrol as "Captain Hans Dietrich" and the show not accurately depicting historical facts

Chapter 2
On his work on The Rat Patrol; on the influence of America on Europe after World War II
On his film work in "Escape From the Planet of the Apes" and "Colossus: The Forbin Project"; on Lew Wasserman suggesting he change his name; on being considered for the role of "James Bond"
On his TV guest roles on Mission: Impossible, Gunsmoke, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show
On his role as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless; on not enjoying daytime television when he first got the role; on the love story between "Victor Newman" and "Nikki Newman"

Chapter 3
On the relationships portrayed on The Young and the Restless; on winning a Daytime Emmy for his performance; on working with his co-stars; on the future of the genre
On producing and starring in the feature film "The Man Who Came Back" 
On his role in the James Cameron feature film "Titanic"
On summing up his career; on his advice to aspiring actors; on his political philosophy; on how he would like to be remembered
Shows

Gunsmoke

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Eric Braeden on guest-starring on Gunsmoke

Mary Tyler Moore Show, The

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Eric Braeden on guest-starring on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the episode "The Critic" (airdate: January 8, 1977)

Mission: Impossible

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Eric Braeden on guest-starring on Mission: Impossible

Rat Patrol, The

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Eric Braeden on getting cast in The Rat Patrol
Eric Braeden on co-starring in The Rat Patrol as "Captain Hans Dietrich" and the show not accurately depicting historical facts
Eric Braeden on the physical demands of his work on The Rat Patrol
Eric Braeden on why he believes The Rat Patrol went off the air
Eric Braeden on where his character was at the conclusion of The Rat Patrol and the influence of America on Europe after World War II
Eric Braeden on the cult following of The Rat Patrol

Young and the Restless, The

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Eric Braeden on winning the role of "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and deciding to stay with the show
Eric Braeden on changes he suggested for his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on the introduction of "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and adjusting to the dialogue and the rapid pace of daytime television
Eric Braeden on making fantastical characters and storylines seem real on The Young and the Restless; on memorizing lines
Eric Braeden on "Victor Newman's" attitude towards women on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on how fans react to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and "Nikki Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and his family members on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and "Ashley Abbott" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the ruthlessness of "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on storylines he disagreed with on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on how he's like his character "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on how he enjoys playing "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on working with his co-star, Melody Thomas Scott, on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on his co-stars on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on winning a Daytime Emmy for his performance on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on being recognized as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and encounters with fans
Eric Braeden on working with the writers and producers of The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on Kay Alden, head writer on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the popularity of The Young and the Restless and future of soap operas
Eric Braeden on social issues featured in the storylines of The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on considering leaving The Young and the Restless in 2009 and why he stayed
Eric Braeden on how The Young and the Restless changed his career
Topics

Characters & Catchphrases

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Eric Braeden on "Victor Newman's" attitude towards women on The Young and the Restless

Creative Influences and Inspiration

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Eric Braeden on his interest in theater and classical texts, and actors who made an impression on him

Fame & Celebrity

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Eric Braeden on how fans took to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on how fans react to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on being recognized as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and encounters with fans

Pop Culture

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Eric Braeden on "Victor Newman's" attitude towards women on The Young and the Restless

Television Industry

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Eric Braeden on how fans took to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on how fans react to his Young and the Restless character, "Victor Newman"
Eric Braeden on being recognized as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless and encounters with fans

War

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Eric Braeden on growing up in Germany during World War II

World War II

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Eric Braeden on growing up in Germany during World War II
Professions

Actor

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Eric Braeden on how fear can help you as an actor
Eric Braeden on making fantastical characters and storylines seem real on The Young and the Restless; on memorizing lines
Eric Braeden on not feeling satisfied by his work as an actor
Eric Braeden on advice to aspiring actors

Performers

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Eric Braeden on how fear can help you as an actor
Eric Braeden on making fantastical characters and storylines seem real on The Young and the Restless; on memorizing lines
Eric Braeden on not feeling satisfied by his work as an actor
Eric Braeden on advice to aspiring actors
Genres

Adventure/Espionage Series

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Eric Braeden on co-starring in The Rat Patrol as "Captain Hans Dietrich" and the show not accurately depicting historical facts

Daytime/Primetime Serials

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Eric Braeden on his role as "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless; on not enjoying daytime television when he first got the role; on the love story between "Victor Newman" and "Nikki Newman"
Eric Braeden on playing "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless

Drama Series

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Eric Braeden on co-starring in The Rat Patrol as "Captain Hans Dietrich" and the show not accurately depicting historical facts
People

Kay Alden

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Eric Braeden on Kay Alden, head writer on The Young and the Restless

William Bell

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Eric Braeden on how he won the role of "Victor Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on meeting The Young and the Restless creator William Bell and learning about the background of his character, "Victor Newman"

Lee Phillip Bell

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Eric Braeden on social issues featured in the storylines of The Young and the Restless

Jeanne Cooper

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Eric Braeden on working with co-star Jeanne Cooper on The Young and the Restless

Michael Evans

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Eric Braeden on working with co-star Michael Evans on The Young and the Restless

H. Wesley Kenney

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Eric Braeden on what producer H.Wesley Kenney brought to The Young and the Restless

Werner Klemperer

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Eric Braeden on working with Werner Klemperer on Braeden's first film, "Operation Eichmann"

Leslie Moonves

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Eric Braeden on considering leaving The Young and the Restless in 2009 and why he stayed

Melody Thomas Scott

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Eric Braeden on working opposite Melody Thomas Scott "Nikki Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on the relationship between "Victor Newman" and "Nikki Newman" on The Young and the Restless
Eric Braeden on working with co-star Melody Thomas Scott on The Young and the Restless

Lew Wasserman

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Eric Braeden on Lew Wasserman wanting him to change his name
Eric Braeden on Lew Wasserman's take on guest stars

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