Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless has been a daytime TV icon for over 45 years, but did you know that Eric Braeden almost left the role for a rival soap? In a recent interview, Braeden revealed that early in his career, General Hospital or One Life to Live tried to poach him! Find out why he stayed loyal to Y&R and why Genoa City wouldn’t be the same without him. Can you imagine another Victor Newman? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!

Eric Braeden Reveals He Almost Left Y&R for a Rival Soap — Here’s Why He Stayed

For over four decades, Eric Braeden has played the legendary Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, becoming a daytime TV icon. Since debuting in 1980, Victor has been at the heart of Y&R’s most dramatic moments, from corporate battles to complex relationships. But did you know that there was a time when Braeden considered leaving the role of Victor?

In a recent interview with Rebecca Budig and Greg Reichart on their new YouTube series Soapie, Braeden revealed an intriguing piece of history about his time on Y&R. While the actor has long been associated with the show, the decision to stay wasn’t always certain. In fact, there was a time early in his career when a rival soap opera tried to poach him.

Braeden recounted how, during the early years of his time on Y&R, he took a trip to New York, where he was asked to meet with executives from a competing soap. He didn’t specify which soap was interested, but it’s widely known that General Hospital and One Life to Live were both filmed in New York at the time. Can you imagine Victor Newman on either of those shows? It’s a wild thought for Y&R fans.

But Braeden’s decision to remain with Y&R came down to one pivotal conversation. During his early days on the show, he had a discussion with the show’s creator, Bill Bell, who shared Victor’s origin story with him. Victor, raised in an orphanage with an abusive alcoholic father, spoke to Braeden on a personal level, reminding him of his own experiences growing up in Germany. This connection, Braeden explained, was a key reason he decided to stay on the show. “I could see how that opened up a whole world of possibilities,” Braeden shared.

The only time Braeden ever thought about leaving Y&R was during contract negotiations, but even then, it always worked out in the end. Through the years, he’s become synonymous with Victor Newman, and his loyalty to the show is undeniable. He’s watched the character rise and fall, face impossible odds, and become a true cornerstone of Y&R’s legacy.

While fans are grateful Braeden stayed with Y&R, it’s fascinating to imagine what might have happened if he had left. Could Victor Newman have found a home on General Hospital or One Life to Live? Would Genoa City have felt the same without Braeden’s powerful portrayal of Victor? We can only wonder.