Eric Braeden Says a Poignant Farewell to the Star Responsible for His Joining Young & Restless

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When Dabney Coleman died on May 16, the world lost a wonderful actor. But Eric Braeden lost even more — he lost a good pal. The Young & Restless legend took to Instagram to tell his followers that “my old friend just passed! Upon his recommendation did I decide to do [the soap]!”

That’s right: If you have thrilled to Braeden’s exploits as Victor Newman, you have Coleman to thank for it. In a 2020 interview, the Emmy winner recalled that he’d been playing tennis with his buddy while contemplating whether to accept the role of the self-made millionaire. “He said, ‘Do it. You’ll love it.’”

Coleman knew of whence he spoke. In the early 1970s, he had recurred on Bright Promise as Dr. Tracy Graham.

Despite Coleman’s firsthand knowledge of soap work, Braeden anything but loved it at first. But as co-creator William J. Bell expanded and evolved his character, adding layer upon complicated layer, he certainly grew to. And to think, we might never have seen Braeden in the part if it weren’t for Coleman, who starred in everything from 9 to 5 (as the boss from from hell) to Tootsie (as the womanizing producer of the soap within the movie) and played John Dutton’s father on Yellowstone.

“Dabney was 92!” Braeden marveled on Instagram. He was “a great actor, great friend and tennis player! Rest in peace, my friend!”