Soap operas have long been known for their dramatic storylines, passionate romances, and larger-than-life villains. But for the actors who bring those characters to life, the line between fiction and reality sometimes blurs in surprising — and even frightening — ways.
Tracey Bregman, who has played Lauren Fenmore for more than four decades on The Young and the Restless, recently opened up about just how intense that fan reaction once became. While Lauren is now considered one of the show’s most beloved and enduring characters, Bregman revealed that in the early years, viewers were so outraged by her villainous behavior that she received death threats — and, shockingly, even claimed that people once tried to run her off the freeway.
From Villain to Fan Favorite
Lauren Fenmore first appeared on The Young and the Restless in 1983. At the time, the character was introduced as a manipulative bully, a sharp contrast to some of the more sympathetic characters on the show. This made her an easy target for viewer anger, especially in an era when soap fans often blurred the lines between actors and their on-screen roles.
Speaking on the Soapy podcast, hosted by fellow soap stars Greg Rikaart and Rebecca Budig, Bregman recalled the challenges of those early years. “In the beginning, Lauren was a bully,” she said. “And because of the way she treated Beth Maitland’s character, Traci Abbott, people really struggled with her. I actually got death threats. People tried to run me off the freeway.”
The Difficulties of Playing the Mean Girl
Bregman admitted that one of the hardest parts of her job was delivering cruel lines to her close friend and co-star Beth Maitland. Maitland, who has played Traci Abbott since 1982, was often at the receiving end of Lauren’s harsh words.
“That was very, very difficult because Beth is one of my best friends for 42 years,” Bregman said. “I knew how she really felt about certain things, and then I had to say the worst things to her. Beth will tell you that I cried more than she did sometimes because I could barely get those lines out.”
The storyline often highlighted Traci’s struggles with weight and self-image, which made the insults even harder to deliver. While it created memorable drama on screen, it was emotionally taxing for both actresses off screen.
The Dark Side of Soap Stardom
For soap actors, the passion of the fanbase can be both a blessing and a curse. While the loyalty of viewers has kept shows like The Young and the Restless on the air for decades, it can also cross into uncomfortable territory when fans take the storylines too seriously.
“I will tell you, it was a double-edged sword playing the mean girl,” Bregman admitted. “There were fun times, but there were also parts I never really talked about, like the threats. It was bad.”
Her podcast hosts were stunned to hear how far things had gone. Yet Bregman took it in stride, explaining that despite the darker moments, her character eventually evolved into a fan favorite. Over time, Lauren Fenmore’s storylines expanded, adding depth, romance, and redemption arcs that softened her image with viewers.
A Career Spanning Thousands of Episodes
Tracey Bregman’s longevity in daytime television is nothing short of remarkable. To date, she has appeared in over 2,000 episodes across two major soaps. That includes 1,847 episodes of The Young and the Restless and 377 episodes of its sister series, The Bold and the Beautiful.
Before taking on the role of Lauren, Bregman made her soap opera debut in Days of Our Lives, where she played Donna Temple Craig from 1978 to 1980, appearing in more than 150 episodes. That early experience paved the way for her career-defining role on The Young and the Restless, where she has remained a central figure for more than four decades.
The Broader Struggle of Soap Villains
Bregman’s story isn’t unique in the world of daytime drama. Playing a soap opera villain often comes with challenges beyond the script. Last month, actress Eva LaRue, who briefly appeared on General Hospital, revealed that her character was so hated that it became emotionally difficult for her to continue.
LaRue, who was previously beloved for her role as Maria Santos on All My Children, said the shift was jarring. “It was hard for me as a person,” she explained. “Maria was never meant to be a villain. She was loved. So going from that to being literally hated was really tough.”
This highlights a common reality in soap operas: fans become deeply invested in the characters and can sometimes fail to separate fiction from reality. For actors, navigating that intensity requires resilience and perspective.
From Villain to Icon
Despite the initial backlash, Tracey Bregman’s Lauren Fenmore is now considered an iconic character in daytime television. Her storylines have spanned decades, covering everything from love triangles to family drama, and she remains an essential part of The Young and the Restless.
What makes her journey so fascinating is the transformation — both of the character and of the audience’s perception. What began as hatred eventually evolved into admiration, proving that even the most disliked characters can become beloved over time when given depth and growth.
For Bregman, the journey has not been without challenges, but her resilience and dedication have made her one of soap opera’s most enduring stars.
Final Thoughts
The story of Tracey Bregman’s early struggles as Lauren Fenmore is a reminder of the unique challenges soap actors face. Playing a villain may provide juicy drama on screen, but it can also spark extreme reactions off screen. Yet, through it all, Bregman has not only survived but thrived, becoming a respected figure in television history.
Her journey mirrors the evolution of daytime television itself — from over-the-top melodrama to layered storytelling that allows even villains to find redemption. And after more than 40 years in the role, Tracey Bregman remains a true icon of the soap opera world.