Eric Braeden is the third soap star this year to have joint replacement surgery

Eric Braeden shares health update

The Young and the Restless fans had been noticing for quite some time that Victor Newman (Eric Braeden) was not moving about as usual. Victor would be shown sitting more than he was up and about and at times the actor was leaning to the side. He also seemed a bit slower and now we know the reason why. Braeden recently posted on social media (Facebook) that he had knee replacement surgery and his former co-star Doug Davidson shared the photo of Braeden in a hospital gown and on a walker. Davidson who portrayed Paul Williams for 40 years posted that his friend looked great and Y&R fans are hoping he will recover and soon return to the CBS soap.

Eric Braeden joines two other soap vets

Braeden who remains as upbeat as usual captioned his photo “ Thinking of you” which was aimed at his fans. It seems surreal that the man who portrays the great Victor Newman is in this photo because Victor always seems so invincible and would not be incapacitated in any way. The Newman patriarch, however is a fictional character and Braeden is a real livng and breathing 81-year-old man. This surgery makes Braden the third soap star to have replacement therapy this year as two General Hospital cast members did the same.

General Hospital actors go under the knife

Charles Shaughnessy, 67, who portrays Victor Cassadine on General Hospital had hip replacement at the beginning of 2022 and was away from the show for close to two months. His GH castmate Robin Mattson, 66, announced a few months back thst she was recovering from having one knee replaced and added she would also have an operation on the other knee soon. This is why Allie Mills was recast in her role as Heather Webber on GH.

Back in Genoa City

Right now in Genoa City Victor is planning for Christmas at his ranch. On Monday’s episode of The Young and the Restless Adam Newman (Mark Grossman) will talk his father into allowing Chelsea Newman ((Melissa Claire Egan) and Conner Newman (Judah MacKey) to join the family on Christmas Day. Victor does not like the idea but he does sign off on it. Later Nikki Newman (Melody Thomas Scott) tells him he did the right thing and this may be the first step to open the door for Adam returning to Newmann Enterprises and elacing Jabot.

Perhaps since it’s the holiday the family will get along without the usual drama and Victor won't insult Chelsea and cause Adam to leave. The Newman patriarch has also been plotting to keep Sally Spectra ( Courtney Hope) away from both of his sons but Nick Newman (Joshua Morrow) is planning to spend time with her on Christmas after he leaves the ranch.

Y&R fans wish Braden a speedy recovery

Fans of The Young and the Restless have been telling Braeden they know he will recover and return soon. The actor did not say how long he would be off screen but with this being December unless virtual scenes are taped he probably won’t be back at the studio until around February which would be the same time his last taped Y&R scenes will be aired.

The Young and the Restless tapes six weeks in advance which suggests Victor might be away from Genoa City until spring. This is only a projection because Eric Braeden does things on his own terms. Be on the lookout for the actor to give updates because he always keeps his fans posted. As of this writing close to 10,000 have posted on his Facebook page.