Braeden joined the soap in 1980 as Victor Newman before appearing as John Jacob Astor IV in the 1997 hit film Filming Titanic in 1997 was only the tip of the ice berg for Eric Braeden. Braeden, 84 ...

Braeden agrees, saying, “You better be prepared.” Rikaart notes Braeden is “such an advocate” for the soap opera genre and asks if he’s had people “looking down upon” the work they do.

“So it’s a stupid prejudice, based on absolute ignorance,” Braeden adds. Speaking to PEOPLE before Soapy ’s launch, Budig, 52, said she’s experienced the same stigma Braedan has.