I'll Be Damned: How My Young and Restless Life Led Me to America's #1 Daytime Drama

In this startling candid and poignant memoir, the legendary Emmy Award-winning star of The Young and The Restless, America's #1 soap opera, chronicles his amazing life, from his birth in World War II Germany to his arrival in America to his rise to humanitarian and daytime superstar for the past thirty-five years.

For nearly four decades, fans have welcomed the star of television’s number-one daytime show, The Young and the Restless, into their living rooms. While they’ve come to know and love the suave Victor Newman, few truly know the man behind the character, the supremely talented Eric Braeden. I'll Be Damned is his story—a startling and uplifting true tale of war, deprivation, determination, fame, and social commitment that spans from Nazi Germany to modern Hollywood.

Braeden’s journey from a hospital basement in Kiel to the soundstages of Los Angeles has taught him more about joy, heartbreak, fear, dignity, loss, love, loneliness, exhilaration, courage, persecution, and profound responsibility to the global community than he could have hoped to learn in several lifetimes. Growing up in the years after Germany’s defeat, Braeden knew very little about the atrocities of his parents’ generation, until he arrived in America as a teenager—a discovery that horrified and transformed him. Trying to redress the wrongs of his homeland, he has dedicated his life to humanitarian work—even forming the German American Culture Society—working for decades to show the world that what we share as humans is far more important than what separates us from one another.

Told with openness, candor, humor, heart, and occasional raw vulnerability, I’ll Be Damned reveals a man committed to making the world a better, more loving place. Filled with sixteen pages of photos from his decorated life and career, I’ll Be Damned will be a treasured keepsake for Y&R fans, and is an inspiring testament to the goodness within us all.

For nearly four decades, fans have welcomed the star of television’s number one daytime show, The Young and the Restless, into their living rooms. While they’ve come to know and love the suave Victor Newman, few truly know the man behind the character, the supremely talented Eric Braeden. Now, in his first book, Eric shares the story of his life—a startling and uplifting tale of war, deprivation, determination, fame, and social commitment that spans from Nazi Germany to modern Hollywood. 

Braeden’s journey from a hospital basement in Kiel to the sound stages of Los Angeles has taught him more about joy, heartbreak, fear, dignity, loss, love, loneliness, exhilaration, courage, persecution, and profound responsibility to the global community than he could have hoped to learn in several lifetimes. Growing up in the years after Germany’s defeat, Braeden knew very little about the atrocities of his parents’ generation until he arrived in America as a teenager—a discovery that horrified and transformed him. Trying to redress the wrongs of his homeland, he has dedicated his life to humanitarian causes—even forming the German American Culture Society—working for decades to show the world that what we share as humans is far more important than what separates us from one another. 

Told with openness, humor, heart, and raw vulnerability, I’ll Be Damned reveals a man committed to making the world a better, more loving place. Filled with sixteen pages of photographs from Braeden’s decorated life and career, I’ll Be Damned is a cherished keepsake for his fans and an inspiring testament to the goodness within us all. 

“Eric was a pleasure to work with, and brought so much professionalism and creativity to the part of John Jacob Astor. He made every second of screen time count. I’d work with him again any time.” - James Cameron

“Few guests on my show Politically Incorrect lived up to that billing quite like Eric Braeden. He continues the tradition in retelling his unique and compelling journey.” - Bill Maher, Host of Real Time with Bill Maher

“So many of us can benefit from what he conveys to us all.” - from the foreword by Stephen A. Smith, ESPN

In show business, people see your glory, but they don’t know your story. Eric Braeden?s life is quite the story. Victor ain?t got nothing on Eric; believe me! Eric is a citizen artist whose wisdom comes from suffering and struggle. He’s never let misery have the last word, and we are grateful for his artistic gifts and his humanitarian efforts. I salute him.” - Tavis Smiley

“An actor of film, stage, and TV who brilliantly portrays one of the most indelible characters in the history of daytime television.” - Leslie Moonves, Chairman and CEO, CBS Corporation