Eric Braeden Calls Filming "Titanic" Bloody Boring Compared To Soap Operas

Dan Lalonde
Jul 8
2 min read

Eric Braeden Titanic Young And The Restless

If you work in the film industry, do you want to work on a set with a fast shooting schedule?

After over 40 years as Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, Eric Braeden says no film or primetime role comes close to the adrenaline rush of daytime TV, not even James Cameron’s Titanic.

Appearing on the premiere episode of Soapy, a new podcast hosted by fellow soap veterans Rebecca Budig and Greg Rikaart, Braeden didn't hold back. “People have no clue what we do,” he said. “It’s bloody boring filming something like Titanic.”

Braeden portrayed real-life millionaire John Jacob Astor IV in the 1997 blockbuster, but says the slow pace of film sets filled with downtime and lighting setups, is no match for the high-speed world of soap operas which shoot nearly 260 episodes a year.

“You come on the [soap] set, you work. Boom. No time to chit-chat,” Braeden added. “In film, there’s so much waiting around. On soaps, it’s pure momentum.”

Rikaart, who’s starred on Y&R since 2003, and Budig, a longtime All My Children and Bold and the Beautiful star, agreed with Braeden’s take. Despite appearing alongside legends like Burt Reynolds and Raquel Welch during his film days, Braeden insists nothing beats the daily drama of Victor Newman.

While his Titanic role was brief compared to the likes of DiCaprio or Winslet, Braeden’s commanding presence left an impression, just not on him. For Braeden, the fast, relentless rhythm of soaps is where the real magic lives. Comment below with your thoughts.