Soap Operas Help Launch Celebrity Careers in Entertainment

Four actors associated with the the "stars" and space began their careers as soap opera actors on "Days of Our Lives," "General Hospital, and Ryan's Hope." Name the actors and the major TV shows or films in which they starred. See the answers at the end of the article.

Some of the best actors in show business exercised their talent on daytime television in soap operas. These soaps helped to launch the careers of many favorite stars who have won film, TV and/or theater awards. Some of them began their careers in soaps, progressed to films, TV series, made-for-TV movies, and theater, and then returned to daytime soaps later in life. Others have not achieved star status, but have been steadily working in the industry since their soap beginnings.

Although a number of celebrities have soap operas on their resumes, some had their careers rolling well before they appeared in the soap opera world. This article primarily identifies people who were in soaps during the early stages of their careers.

Here are the soaps, the networks, and the years they began (and ended no longer on the air).

All My Children (ABC, 1970-Present)
Another World (NBC, 1964-1999)
As The World Turns (CBS, 1956-Present)
Capital (CBS, 1982-1987)
Days of Our Lives (NBC, 1965)
General Hospital (ABC, 1970-Present)
Guiding Light (CBS, 1952-Present)
Love Is A Many Splendored Thing (CBS, 1967-1973)
Love of Life (CBS, 1951-1980)
Loving (ABC, 1983-1995)
One Life to Live (ABC, 1968-Present)
Passions (NBC, 1999-2007)
Port Charles (ABC, 1997-2003)
Ryan's Hope (ABC, 1975-1989)
Rituals (NBC, 1984-1985)
Santa Barbara (NBC, 1984-1993)
Search for Tomorow (CBS, 1951-1986)
Secret Storm (CBS, 1954-1974)
The Bold & the Beautiful (CBS, 1987-Present)
The Doctors (NBC, 1963-1982)
The Edge of Night (CBS, 1956-1984)
The Young & the Restless (CBS, 1973-Present)

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RICHARD DEAN ANDERSON, Dr. Jeff Webber (General Hospital, 1976-81)
ARMAND ASSANTE, Dr. Mike Powers (The Doctors, 1975-77)