Actor Braeden says no more 'Restless'

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 17 (UPI) -- German-born actor Eric Braeden says he has decided to leave the U.S. TV series "The Young and the Restless" rather than accept a pay cut.

Speaking with EW.com, the 68-year-old actor confirmed he has ended negotiations on a possible return to "Restless." His last appearance on the long-running daytime drama is scheduled for Nov. 2.

"We reached an impasse in the negotiations," said Braeden, who has played Victor Newman on the CBS series since 1980. "I have shown flexibility, they have shown none. It is over. I pulled the plug.

"I will not negotiate with people who remain aloof and arrogant about the whole thing. Not after 30 years, I won't do that," he added.

Braeden, who has been earning a salary in seven figures, would continue to earn seven figures if he took the pay cut, EW.com said. Braeden says he was the first member of the cast to volunteer to accept a pay cut two years ago.

An unidentified source with knowledge of the negotiations told Entertainment Weekly "Restless" remains the most-watched daytime soap opera but the show's cast and crew have taken pay cuts during the last year.