Eric Braeden Has Choice Words for ‘Arrogant’ “Titanic” Casting Director Decades Later

Eric Braeden, the renowned actor best known for his role as Victor Newman on the long-running soap opera *The Young and the Restless*, has recently shared his reflections on his casting for the iconic film *Titanic*. In a candid interview on the show *Still Here Hollywood* with Steve Kmetko, Braeden recounted how he was initially reluctant to participate in the film that would eventually become a global phenomenon.

At the age of 85, Braeden revealed that he required significant persuasion to audition for James Cameron’s ambitious project. Despite the film’s eventual success, he was initially uninterested, stating, “I didn’t want to do it.” His son, Christian Gudegast, who is both a writer and director, alongside his wife, Dale Russell, an avid film enthusiast, encouraged him to seize the opportunity. They emphasised the importance of working with Cameron, a prestigious filmmaker, but Braeden remained doubtful, quipping, “I don’t give a s*** about James Cameron. I don’t know him.”

Convinced by his family to engage further, Braeden agreed to read the script, which cast him as John Jacob Astor IV, one of the wealthiest individuals on board the ill-fated Titanic. However, he was still hesitant about the size of the role, finding it insufficiently significant to warrant his attention. Ultimately, he did see the value in pursuing the audition despite his initial misgivings.

When Braeden arrived at Warner Brothers for his casting interview, he was affronted by the casting director’s tardiness. Describing her attitude as “arrogant,” he recalled his disappointment upon her eventual arrival when she questioned his presence. “I just asked myself the same question,” he replied before walking out in frustration. His feelings towards the experience led him to inform his agency to avoid any future engagements with that casting director.

However, after four weeks, Braeden received a call indicating that Cameron was very eager to meet with him. This time, he researched more about Astor, learning about the character’s German ancestry and his family’s immense wealth, which had allowed them to own the majority of Manhattan at that time. This deeper understanding rekindled his interest, prompting him to return for another audition where he encountered the same casting director yet again.

Although he did not remember her name, Braeden made it clear he did not wish to work with her again. He reflected on the role of casting directors and their importance in creating a positive atmosphere for auditions. He noted that “kindness up front” could significantly affect an actor’s experience and attitude, contrasting it with the “bitchy” demeanour he experienced.

During this second audition, Braeden read just a couple of lines into the camera, deeming the exercise somewhat superfluous. He later discovered that Cameron had already been a fan of his earlier work in the 1970 sci-fi film *Colossus: The Forbin Project*, which amplified Braeden’s eagerness to take part in *Titanic*. He expressed significant pride in being part of a project with a director he came to respect deeply, calling Cameron a “genius” and “an extremely bright man.”

Despite the brilliant cast, which included the likes of Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet, Braeden faced challenges in balancing his commitments. He was already deeply involved in filming *The Young and the Restless*, causing him to miss out on several scenes in *Titanic*. This juggling of schedules meant he often filmed into the night before racing back to Los Angeles for filming the early morning episodes of the soap opera.

Upon its release, *Titanic* captivated audiences and became a worldwide sensation, grossing over $1.8 billion and earning 14 Academy Award nominations, of which it won 11, including the coveted Best Picture. Reflecting on his time with the film, Braeden expressed satisfaction with his decision to participate, underlining his respect for the industry and the remarkable people within it. His insights provide a window into the often-unseen nuances of casting and the arduous journey of actors behind the scenes of major cinematic undertakings.