The Young and the Restlessstar Eric Braeden may be best known for his extensive role as Victor Newman in the long-running soap opera. However,alongside starring inY&R, Eric Braedenalso starred in the James Cameron blockbusterTitanic, portraying John Jacob Astor IV, the wealthiest passenger aboard the Titanic who died when the actual ship sank in 1912.
Braeden appeared on Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart’s new podcast,Soapy, and told his fellow soap stars about the differences between working on a film set, such asTitanic,compared toThe Young and the Restless(viaPeople). The veteranYoung and the Restlesscast memberfinds movie sets boring, whereas on a soap opera set, everything moves faster. As he said of his time onTitanic, “It’s bloody boring.” Braeden then went on to explain how other projects are just too slow for him.
People have no clue! Nighttime actors, theater actors who have done it all have no clue what we do, none. We make very few friends doing a soap, because we have no time to get to know each other. I remember all the friends I did nighttime with - Burt Reynolds, Jim Brown, Raquel Welch,Planet of the Apes… I knew them all for years, because you sit and you bulls—. You have time in between scenes.
What Eric Braeden’s Recent Comments Mean Regarding Film Productions And Soap Opera Sets
The Soap Opera Legend Prefers The Quick Pace Of Soaps Over Lengthy Film Sets
Braeden’s recent comments regarding his work onTitanicandThe Young and the Restlessmake it clear that the actor prefers his signature role on the daytime soap opera. In discussing his four-decade run as Victor Newman, Braeden argues that film and theater actors have no idea of the hard work that goes into the soap opera genre. Eric recently explained during his interview with Budig and Rikaart thatother actors mistakenlyview soap operas as a training ground.
However, according to Braeden, soaps feature professional sets where actors must be prepared to work quickly and efficiently without wasting time. On soap opera sets, there’s essentially no room for actors to discuss their personal lives. Braeden clearly prefers the challenging fast pace of daytime.
Our Take On Braeden’s Comments And The Importance Of Soap Operas
Braeden Has Been An Influential Advocate For The Soap Opera Genre
Braeden’s preference to work on a soap opera as opposed to films and primetime TV proves that the veteran actor is very proud of his career as a soap actor. Eric also considers the soap opera genre just as relevant and essential today, alongside blockbuster films and primetime dramas, and he’s not wrong. There’s a reason soaps have been around for over half a century.
The actor even mentions in his interview that ifThe Young and the Restlesswere a primetime TV drama, it would be reminiscent ofGrey’s Anatomy, an astute observation. Braeden’s long and distinguished career as a soap actor and his influence on other soap stars have been immense in continuing the legacy of soap operas and their contribution to daytime television.
