Eric Braeden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eric Braeden
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Braeden in 2013
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| Born |
Hans-Jörg Gudegast
April 3, 1941 Bredenbek, Free State of Prussia, Germany
(present-day Schleswig-Holstein, Germany) |
| Education | University of Montana |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Years active | 1960–present |
| Spouse(s) |
Dale Russell
(m. 1966) |
| Children | Christian Gudegast |
Eric Braeden (born Hans-Jörg Gudegast on April 3, 1941) is a famous German-American actor. He is best known for playing Victor Newman on the TV show The Young and the Restless since 1980. He also played Hans Dietrich in the 1960s TV series The Rat Patrol. You might also recognize him as John Jacob Astor IV from the 1997 movie Titanic. Eric Braeden won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1998 for his role as Victor Newman.
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Early Life and German Roots
Eric Braeden was born Hans-Jörg Gudegast on April 3, 1941. His hometown was Bredenbek, a small village in northern Germany. His father was once the mayor of this village.
Acting Career Begins
When Eric Braeden first started acting in America, he used his birth name, Hans Gudegast. He appeared in many TV shows and movies during the 1960s and 1970s. He had over 120 guest roles!
Early TV and Film Roles
In the 1960s, he often played German soldiers in TV shows like Combat!. He was also in a movie called Morituri with famous actors Marlon Brando and Yul Brynner. He even appeared in an episode of The Man from U.N.C.L.E..
From 1966 to 1968, Eric Braeden had a main role as Captain Hans Dietrich in the TV series The Rat Patrol. After this, he starred in the 1969 Western movie 100 Rifles. This was the last time he used his birth name for a role.
Changing His Name
In 1970, Eric Braeden starred in the movie Colossus: The Forbin Project. The head of Universal Pictures, Lew Wasserman, told him that he should change his German name to an American-sounding one if he wanted to be a star. After thinking about it, he chose "Braeden" from his hometown, Bredenbek.
More Movie and TV Appearances
In the 1970s, Eric Braeden continued to act in many films. He played Dr. Otto Hasslein in Escape from the Planet of the Apes (1971). He was also the race-car driver Bruno von Stickle in Walt Disney's Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo (1977). He made guest appearances on popular TV shows like The Six Million Dollar Man, Wonder Woman, and The Mary Tyler Moore Show. He also appeared in several episodes of the Western series Gunsmoke.
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In 1997, Eric Braeden played Colonel John Jacob Astor IV in the huge movie Titanic. He said that filming the scene where his character drowned was one of the scariest moments in his acting career.
Playing Victor Newman
In 1980, Eric Braeden was offered the role of Victor Newman on the daytime soap opera The Young and the Restless. His character was a powerful businessman. At first, he was only supposed to be on the show for 26 weeks. But his character became so popular that his contract was extended. Fans loved to hate Victor Newman!
Eric Braeden won a Daytime Emmy Award in 1998 for his amazing work as Victor Newman. In February 2020, he celebrated 40 years of playing this iconic character.
Life Outside of Acting
Eric Braeden is also known for his sports achievements. In 1958, he won the German National Team Championship in track and field. He was good at discus, shot put, and javelin. He also played soccer and helped his team, Maccabi Los Angeles, win the 1973 National Challenge Cup. He was also a tennis player and enjoyed boxing.
Eric Braeden married his college sweetheart, Dale Russell, in 1966. Their son, Christian Gudegast, is a director who made the movie Den of Thieves.
Health Update
In April 2023, Eric Braeden shared that he was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He found out about it while recovering from knee surgery. By August 2023, he announced that he was cancer-free, which was great news!
Awards and Recognitions
Eric Braeden has received many awards for his acting and other achievements.
- 1989: Won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role.
- 1990: Named "Distinguished German-American of the Year."
- 1992: Won a People's Choice Award for Favorite Male Performer in a Daytime Serial.
- 1997: Won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.
- 1998: Won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series.
- 2001: Won another Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Lead Actor.
- 2007: Received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
- 2009: Received the "Friend of German Award" from the American Association of Teachers of German.
- 2017: Won a Soap Awards France for Best Villain of the Year.
- 2020: Won a Soap Hub Award for Favorite The Young and the Restless Actor.
Images for kids
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Braeden in 2013
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Braeden in The Rat Patrol, 1966
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Braeden in July 2007
See also
In Spanish: Eric Braeden para niños
