Hans "Eric Braeden" Gudegast

At A Glance

Born Hans Gudegast, Eric Braeden emigrated to the U.S. in 1959 from the port city of Kiel, West Germany and became a naturalized citizen while attending college. He joined the cast of The Young and the Restless as wealthy tycoon Victor Newman in 1980.


Braeden received Daytime Emmy nominations as Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1990, 1997 and 1999, 2000 and 2004; he won the coveted award in 1998. He also won the Soap Opera Update Award in 1997 as Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series and was honored as Most Popular Daytime Actor at the People's Choice Awards in 1998. Braeden was nominated for a Soap Opera Award in the category of Best Lead Actor in 1999.


On July 20, 2007, Braeden received a star on The Hollywood Walk of Fame, making him the first German born actor to receive a star since Marlene Dietrich in 1960.


Braeden has appeared in more than 120 television series, as well as a number of made-for-television movies including The Judge and Mrs. Wyler with Bette Davis, Happily Ever After with Suzanne Somers and Tyne Daly, and the Jackie Collins mini-series Lucky. He has appeared in the films Operation Eichmann, The Ultimate Chase, Escape from the Planet of the Apes and Morituri with Marlon Brando. He also co-starred as John Jacob Astor in James Cameron's feature film Titanic.


Braeden was born Hans Gudegast in Kiel, Germany, a port city near the Baltic Sea. He immigrated to the United States in 1959. Braeden lived in Texas for several years and worked in the University of Texas medical school lab before moving to Los Angeles, where he attended Santa Monica College. He joined a local semi-professional soccer team while launching his acting career.


In 1989, Braeden was chosen as the only actor to be on the newly formed German American Advisory Board. The illustrious group includes Dr. Henry Kissinger, Katherine Graham, Alexander Haig, Steffi Graf and Paul Volcher.


Braeden maintains an active athletic regimen. He continues to play soccer with several teams, including the Maccabees, with whom he won the 1972-73 National Soccer Championship. He and his wife, Dale, live in Los Angeles. The couple has a son, Christian.

Acting Portfolio: TELEVISION

A Perry Mason Mystery: The Case of the Wicked Wives David Morrison 1993 Jackie Collins' Lucky/Chances Dimitri Stanislopolous 1990 The Power Within Stephens 1980 The Young and the Restless Victor Newman 1980 to Present The Aliens Are Coming Leonard Nero 1980 Happily Ever After Ross Ford 1978 How the West Was Won Frances Britten, Episodes 8-10 1978 Code Name: Diamond Head Ernest Graeber 1977 The New Original Wonder Woman Captain Drange 1975 Death Scream Kosinsky 1975 Gunsmoke William Talley 1974 Death Race Stoeffer 1973 The Judge and Jake Wyler Anton Granicek 1972 Gunsmoke Jack Sinclair 1971 Gunsmoke Carl Jaekel 1971 The Mask of Sheba Dr. Roan Morgan 1970 Honeymoon with a Stranger Frederico Caprio 1969 The Rat Patrol Hauptmann (Captain) Hans Deitrich 1966 Operation Eichmann Klaus 1961

Acting Portfolio: FILM

The Man Who Came Back Reese Paxton 2008 The Gold & the Beautiful Thanks 20081 The Titanic Chronicles J. Bruce Ismay 1999 Meet the Deedles Elton Deedle 1998 Titanic John Jacob Astor 1997 The Ambulance The Doctor 1990 Piranha Dr. Robert Hoak (swimming double) 1978 Herbie Goes to Monte Carlo Bruno Von Stickle 1977 The Ultimate Thrill Roland 1974 Lady Ice Peter Brinker 1973 The Adulteress Hank Baron 1973 Escape from the Planet of the Apes Dr. Otto Hasslein 1971 Colossus: The Forbin Project Dr. Charles Forbin 1970 100 Rifles Lt. Franz Von Klemme 1969 Dayton's Devils Max Eikhart 1968 Morituri Radio Officer 1965 Operation Eichmann Klaus 1961

Awards & Acclaim

Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (1998) Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series ( 1990 , 1997 , 1998 , 1999 , 2000 , 2004 , 2024 ) Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series (2004, 2005, 2008) 18th Annual People's Choice Award for Most Popular Daytime Actor

Vital Statistics

PLACE OF BIRTH: Kiel, West Germany

DATE OF BIRTH: April 3, 1941

HEIGHT: 6'2"

HAIR: Brown

EYES: Brown

MARITAL STATUS: Married to wife Dale

CHILDREN: Son, Christian [Feb 9, 1971]