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Entertainment • Soap Opera

Victor Newman

Victor Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Victor Newman is a fictional character from the American CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless. Portrayed by Eric Braeden since 1980, he is a central figure in the series and the founder of Newman Enterprises. The character is known as a powerful business magnate and a major antagonist in the show’s long-running storylines. The series has also aired widely in Canada, where it has a substantial audience.

Character overview

Victor Newman is a fictional character on The Young and the Restless, where he became one of the show’s best-known figures. He entered the story as a business-oriented newcomer in Genoa City and later emerged as a dominant force in the series. The character was originally intended for a short run but became a permanent fixture.

Portrayal

Eric Braeden has played Victor Newman continuously since 1980. Braeden is closely associated with the role and received major recognition for it, including a Daytime Emmy Award in 1998.

Story role

Victor is portrayed as a powerful and often ruthless businessman whose personal and professional decisions drive many of the soap’s major plots. He is also depicted as loyal and protective toward characters he cares about. He is commonly described as a ruthless businessman and recurring antagonist.

Business empire

In the series, Victor founded Newman Enterprises, a worldwide conglomerate that became central to the Newman family storyline. The company and Victor’s wealth and influence are recurring elements in the show.

Key facts

  • Victor Newman has been portrayed by Eric Braeden since 1980.
  • He was created by William J. Bell for The Young and the Restless.
  • He founded Newman Enterprises, a major conglomerate in the series.
  • He is a central long-running character and often a ruthless antagonist.
  • The character was originally intended for a short run but became a permanent fixture.
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Canadian context

The character is part of a long-running American soap opera that has also aired widely in Canada, where The Young and the Restless has a substantial audience.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Victor Newman?
Victor Newman is a fictional character on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless.
Who plays Victor Newman?
Eric Braeden has portrayed Victor Newman since 1980.
What is Victor Newman known for?
He is known as a powerful business magnate and founder of Newman Enterprises.
Is Victor Newman a villain?
He is often described as a ruthless antagonist, though the character is also shown as loyal to family and loved ones.
Who created Victor Newman?
Victor Newman was created by William J. Bell.

References

  1. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Victor_Newman
    Supports: Character identity, series, creator, setting, long-running portrayal, and business role.
  2. Wikipediahttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eric_Braeden
    Supports: Eric Braeden’s identity, his role as Victor Newman, and Daytime Emmy recognition.
  3. SoapCentralhttps://www.soapcentral.com/young-and-restless/whoswho/victor.php
    Supports: Victor’s business history, company leadership, and major plot background.