The Young and the Restless' Eric Braeden honors Victor's first wife Julia, played by Meg Bennett

Eric Braeden has very special words for Meg Bennett, the actress and friend who played Victor Newman's first wife on The Young and the Restless.

The soap world is mourning the death of Meg Bennett, the prolific actress and writer who's best known on-screen for bringing Victor Newman's first wife, Julia, to life on The Young and the Restless off and on throughout the 1980s. She also made brief appearances in 2002, 2018, and 2020. Eric Braeden, who began playing Victor when Bennett originated the role of Julia, was especially moved by Bennett's death.

Braeden took to X (formerly known as Twitter) to express his sadness and post a lovely tribute to the actress who not only played his wife, but who wrote for Victor and countless other soap characters through the years.

"My first 'wife' Julia, played by my friend MEG BENNETT, has passed away!" Braeden wrote. "She succumbed to the ravages of cancer! I had not seen much of MEG in the last years, except at my 40th anniversary!

"She was such a bright and gentle lady! I remember she taught me about the history of soaps and the actors in it! She was very bright and BILL BELL had her write for him! She was a pleasure to be around and have conversations with; always very informed! I remember her infectious smile and gentleness! She was a beautiful woman! May you rest in peace, dear MEG! Yours ERIC!"

On-screen, Julia and Victor were never meant to be. She was the bored wife of a self-made mogul who barely had time for her, and their marriage ended over various lies and affairs. Off-screen, Y&R helped launch Bennett's screenwriting career. The Emmy-winning scribe served on the writing teams for Santa Barbara, Generations, Sunset Beach, The Bold and the Beautiful, and General Hospital.

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