But Braeden's real-life journey is just as dramatic as any Y&R storyline. Born in war-torn Germany as Hans-Jörg Gudegast, he came to America as a teenager with nothing but athletic talent and ambition. After some success in Hollywood, executives told him that if he wanted to be a star, he'd need to change his very German name. So Hans-Jörg Gudegast became Eric Braeden—and on February 8, 1980, the world would meet him as Victor Newman on CBS' The Young and the Restless.
So how much has the man behind one of TV's most beloved characters earned over nearly half a century? What is Eric Braeden's net worth? Let's break it down.
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View this post on InstagramUnlike actors who jump from project to project, Braeden has enjoyed consistent employment on the No. 1-rated daytime drama for years. Soap opera salaries aren't usually public, but leading performers on long-running shows can usually pull in substantial six-figure paychecks annually. As arguably the most recognizable face of Y&R and one of daytime's biggest stars, Braeden's paycheck is certain to reflect his importance to the show.
How did Eric Braeden become famous?
Braeden was born on April 3, 1941, in Bredenbek, Germany, where his father was mayor. After his father died in 1953, his mom worked in a factory to support four sons. Eric excelled at track and field, winning the German National Team Championship in 1958. When Braeden was just 19, he immigrated to the U.S. and worked odd jobs until a track and field scholarship brought him to Montana State University.
After scoring the lead in the 1970 sci-fi thriller Colossus: The Forbin Project, a Universal Pictures exec told him it was time to drop his German name. Reluctantly, Hans Gudegast became Eric Braeden.
Throughout the '70s, he appeared in films like Escape from the Planet of the Apes and Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo—plus in TV projects like Gunsmoke and The Mary Tyler Moore Show.
View this post on InstagramBraeden made one request of Y&R co-creator Bill Bell: Give Victor a backstory that explained his behavior. Bell came up with the idea for a childhood spent in an orphanage— and suddenly, Victor had emotional depth. The moment Braeden filmed that scene with Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki Newman) he knew he'd found something special.
Related: 'Young & the Restless' Star Hits Back at Eva Longoria's 'Derogatory' Comments About the Soap
How much does Eric Braeden make from 'The Young and the Restless'?
Leading daytime actors with decades of experience pull serious money. According to Eric Braeden’s official bio, Y&R has over 120 million daily viewers worldwide and airs in more than 30 countries. And since Victor Newman is arguably the most recognized daytime character in history, Braeden carries tremendous value for the show.
View this post on InstagramWhat awards has Eric Braeden won?
Beyond acting, in 1991, Braeden received the Federal Medal of Honor from Germany's President for promoting positive German-American relations. In 2007, he earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame—the first German-born actor since Marlene Dietrich to receive this honor. In 2017, Braeden was inducted into the German-American Hall of Fame—alongside Albert Einstein and Dwight D. Eisenhower.
View this post on InstagramIn 2017, Braeden published his bestselling memoir I'll Be Damned, which chronicles his journey from wartime Germany to international soap star.
What happened to Eric Braeden's house in the Pacific Palisades fire?
After Braeden returned and saw his longtime home was now ash and debris, he broke down. "45 years, man. I didn't think it would hit me this much. I'm devastated." The home was filled with decades of memories—including celebrating Christmas just weeks before with his granddaughter and watching his son Christian Gudegast—writer/director of the Den of Thieves films—penning its scripts.
Is Eric Braeden married? Does he have children?
On October 8, 1966, Braeden married his college sweetheart Dale Russell. They have one son—blockbuster screenwriter and director Christian Gudegast (In addition to writing and directing the Den of Thieves films, he also co-wrote A Man Apart and London Has Fallen.) This October, Eric and Dale will celebrate their milestone 60th anniversary!
View this post on InstagramWhat is Eric Braeden doing now?
Braeden continues working on Y&R with zero plans for retirement. "I'm a stubborn son of a bitch. I'm still here," he said. After nearly 46 years, he still loves those moments when a scene suddenly clicks and becomes real.
View this post on InstagramEric Braeden truly embodies the American dream, and he has built an empire—including a reported $20 million net worth—to show for his decades of hard work. In many ways, his character Victor Newman is similar to Braeden himself, confronting every challenge with resilience and determination—with his family always first in mind.
Up next: ‘Young and the Restless’ Star, 84, Turns Heads With Workout Routine After Cancer Battle
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