Michael Muhney and Eric Braeden (Y&R) finally reconciled after years of tension
Michael Muhney, formerly Adam Newman, and Eric Braeden, Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, have officially made peace after more than a decade of tension. A look back at this historic reconciliation, which marks the end of a memorable chapter for the soap opera.
It’s news that fans of The Young and the Restless had almost given up hope for: Michael Muhney, one of the former actors who played Adam Newman, and Eric Braeden, still faithful to the role of Victor Newman, have finally made peace after more than a decade of estrangement. The information was confirmed this weekend by Michael Muhney himself on the X network (formerly Twitter).
A feud that has left its mark on the soap opera’s history.
Michael Muhney’s departure in 2014 shocked viewers. Joining the show in 2009 to play Adam Newman, he quickly won over audiences before abruptly leaving the series. Tensions were high:
Eric Braeden and the production team criticized Muhney for what they considered inappropriate behavior, while Muhney himself denounced misunderstandings and personality clashes that led to his dismissal.
This period, quickly dubbed “the Muhney affair,” generated considerable buzz and fueled numerous debates within the fan community, as evidenced by several articles from that time on Soap-Passion.
Today, the character of Adam Newman is played by Mark Grossman, but the memory of Muhney remains strong among fans.
Michael Muhney breaks his silence on X
On November 10, 2025, Michael Muhney surprised fans with an emotional message:
“Eric Braeden and I have reconciled and shared our love and admiration for one another.”
Eric Braeden reacted positively to this message, confirming the sincerity of this long-awaited reconciliation.
Years of misunderstandings erased.
According to the website Daytime Confidential, the two actors recently resumed their dialogue, putting an end to a decade of misunderstandings. Michael Muhney compared their reconciliation to that of two long-time friends who have fallen out and ultimately rediscover mutual respect and admiration.
This newfound peace between Michael Muhney and Eric Braeden is primarily symbolic: it erases past tensions and celebrates the mutual respect between the two actors. The character of Adam Newman is now brilliantly portrayed by Mark Grossman, who is appreciated by fans for his performance.
A symbolic reconciliation for fans of The Young and the Restless
This reconciliation serves as a reminder that respect and a passion for the craft can triumph over the past. Eric Braeden, now 84 years old, continues to brilliantly portray Victor Newman, while Michael Muhney pursues his career between independent films and personal projects.’
Their newfound peace marks the end of a painful chapter for The Young and the Restless and revives fond memories for loyal fans of the soap opera.
Michael Muhney’s Career Since The Young and the Restless
Since his controversial departure from The Young and the Restless in 2014, Michael Muhney has continued his career. The actor has turned to independent films and television movies, with roles in projects such as the short film Sidepiece, which earned him a “Best Comedic Actor” award in 2020, as well as appearances in series like The Good Doctor in 2017.
However, he hasn’t found a role as iconic as that of Adam Newman and stated in 2022 that he has no intention of returning to a soap opera. This direction allows him to focus on more varied and creative projects.
What do you think of this reconciliation? Do you regret Michael Muhney’s departure? Which actor did you prefer in the role of the black sheep of the Newman family?
