Eric Braeden Feels Very Grateful for His Role of 41 Years on 'The Young and the Restless'

After playing Victor Newman on "The Young and the Restless" for 41 years, actor Eric Braeden reflects on his years on the famous television drama series.

Not everyone gets to hold a role in a television series for four decades, but Eric Braeden has done so to perfection. For 41 years, the actor has portrayed Victor Newman's character in "The Young and the Restless."

It is no easy feat and is one that should be commended. In a recent interview with People, the German-American actor, who turns 80 on April 3, opened up about his role in the famous television drama series.

Braeden said: "I feel very loyal to The Young and the Restless, very beholden to Victor and very beholden to the audience who has supported us for all those years."

If fans were thinking Braeden is looking to retire from acting soon, he quashed those thoughts by saying he intends to stay as long as possible.

The veteran actor, who debuted as Victor Newman in 1980, further said he has always looked for meaning in acting. He added that he has learned to understand that the essence of his job is to entertain people and make them happy.

The star actor said he learned from early on that what a person does in the last mile is what they are judged by.

The soon-to-be-80-year-old said that he has grown fond of some people he has worked with for a long time in the four decades he has portrayed Newman.

The actor has also learned to appreciate those who have been crucial in the show's success. He commended Melody Thomas Scott, who portrays Nikki on the show, for putting up with him as he is not an easy person to put up with, adding that he loves and adores her.

On his upcoming 80th birthday, Braeden said he is proud of the achievement. He revealed he stays active by starting his mornings with exercise.

The star actor said he learned from early on that what a person does in the last mile is what they are judged by. Hence, he continues to plug, fight, work, and never give up.

Last year, Braeden celebrated 40 years on "The Young and the Restless" and told People that he never knew his role in the series would become a lifelong career.

He said he was not particularly interested in it and was rather trepidatious about it. Braeden added that he did not know about the show and only did it after his old friend and fellow actor, Dabney Coleman, suggested it.

Since making his debut on the show, Braeden has become a mainstay in the series and has built a large international fanbase.

In that time, he has also witnessed the rise of new stars on the show and the passing of some show veterans like Jeanne Cooper, who died at 84 in 2013.