15 Surprising Hollywood Stars Who Launched Their Career in Soap Operas

Summary

Brad Pitt and Mark Hamill, among other notable actors, began their careers in soap operas, where they honed their acting skills and refined their craft before transitioning to blockbuster films.

Soap operas showcase characters and actors that are intricately crafted, enabling them to seamlessly transition between different roles and yet retain a loyal fan following.

The roles portrayed in soap operas, exemplified by acclaimed actors like Margot Robbie and Morgan Freeman, often diverge from their later performances, underscoring their immense talent and ability to embody diverse characters.

Many renowned actors who are now recognized for different roles initially began their careers in soap operas. General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, and The Young And The Restless, among others, have garnered a substantial fan base, ensuring the longevity of the soap opera genre on television. These shows depict serialized storylines filled with family conflicts, romance, and intense relationships. The genre thrives on captivating plot twists that surpass reality.

Despite being often underestimated, soap operas possess several strengths, such as well-developed characters and exceptional actors. Unlike other forms of television, soap operas frequently rotate actors and characters, allowing the series to continue without limitations. Consequently, numerous well-known actors kick-started their careers through soap operas, with their later blockbuster successes overshadowing their soap opera origins.

15 Brad Pitt

Although Brad Pitt is now known as a major movie star, with notable projects such as Fight Club and World War Z, his journey to success began with his first credited role as a character named Chris. This role featured in a two-episode arc on the soap opera Another World. Chris, a teenager on the high school basketball team, formed a strong bond with John Hudson. In less than a year, Pitt went on to have a four-episode arc as Randy, who was Charlie Wade's boyfriend, in the soap opera Dallas. As we compare these early roles to his later works, it becomes evident that Pitt continuously refined his acting skills over time.

14 Mark Hamill

Before his iconic portrayal of Luke Skywalker in Star Wars, Mark Hamill first made his mark as Kent Murray on the popular soap opera General Hospital. Following the tragic loss of their father, Kent and his sister, Carol, found solace in the care of their aunt Jessie Brewer. Although Kent's character frequently graced the screen, it was Carol who took center stage in the storyline, capturing more attention. Nevertheless, Hamill's portrayal of Kent has been acknowledged and referenced in numerous notable speeches, such as J.J. Abrams' 2018 address at the Oscar Wilde Awards (via Variety). In the same year, Hamill took to Twitter to express that his time on General Hospital was among the happiest months he had experienced throughout his entire acting career.

13 Margot Robbie

12 Justin Hartley

After her stint as Donna Freedman on the Australian soap opera Neighbours, Margot Robbie went on to star in movies like Barbie and Birds of Prey. Playing the role for almost three years, she later returned for the series finale almost ten years later. While initially a Ty Harper groupie, Donna quickly integrated herself into the popular crowd. Throughout her 328-episode story arc, she engaged in a romantic relationship with Ringo Brown, embarked on a search for her biological father, and found herself involved in a hit-and-run incident. Eventually, Robbie left the show behind to pursue a successful career in Hollywood, ultimately becoming a superstar.

Justin Hartley gained recognition in the world of soap operas before landing the role of Kevin Pearson on the hit show This Is Us. Between 2002 and 2006, he portrayed the character Fox Crane on Passions. Fox's infatuation with Whitney Russell led him to believe that they were destined to be together. Additionally, Hartley took on the role of Adam Newman on The Young and the Restless from 2014 to 2016. Prior to and following Hartley's tenure, other actors played the character of Adam. Adam, the youngest son of Victor Newman, displayed a complex personality that encompassed ruthlessness, duplicity, and an undeniable charm. Eventually, Hartley made the decision to leave this role in order to pursue his acting career on This Is Us (via TheList).

11 Morgan Freeman

Like Pitt, Morgan Freeman began his career on Another World before achieving success in Hollywood. In the show, Freeman portrayed a character named Roy Bingham, an architect whose personal details remained mostly undisclosed. Limited online clips suggest that Roy displayed a kind and protective nature towards his love interest. Although Freeman only appeared in five episodes during his two-year tenure, this role diverged from his later ones, which often revolved around action and thriller genres.

10 Shemar Moore

Prior to his involvement in Criminal Minds, Shemar Moore showcased his talent on the small screen in a captivating soap opera. From 1994 to 2005, Moore brilliantly portrayed the character of Malcolm Winters in the immensely popular series, The Young and The Restless. Malcolm, who happened to be the half-brother of Neil Winters, was embroiled in a multitude of dramatic scenarios throughout his journey. Notable highlights included his two marriages, complex dynamics with Neil, and the unexpected development of impregnating his own half-sister-in-law. Despite transitioning to more prominent roles subsequently, Moore made a triumphant return to The Young and the Restless in 2014, captivating audiences as Malcolm to this very day.

9 John Stamos

Though John Stamos is widely recognized as Uncle Jesse from Full House, his first starring role was as Blackie Parrish on General Hospital. Blackie was the adopted child of Rick and Leslie, who took him in after Laura's death. He developed a close friendship with Laura's husband Luke, and it deeply affected him when Luke left with Laura, who was actually still alive. The last time Blackie was seen, he had been wrongly imprisoned for the murder of his girlfriend. In 1983, Stamos won a Daytime Emmy for outstanding supporting actor in a drama for his portrayal of Blackie in General Hospital. This role showcased Stamos' ability to convey a wide range of emotions, which stands in contrast to his Full House character.

8 Marisa Tomei

Marisa Tomei, known for her roles in popular movies such as My Cousin Vinny and the Spider-Man trilogy by Marvel Studios, initially made her mark as Marcy Thompson on the soap opera As The World Turns. Marcy was a rebellious teenager who frequently found herself in trouble, indulging in numerous romantic relationships throughout her time on the show. Eventually, her storyline reached its climax when she married Lord Steward Cushing, the prince of England, leading to her relocation and transformation into Lady Cushing. Since then, Tomei has continued to evolve as an actress, embracing both lighthearted and more serious roles.

7 Angela Bassett

6 Chris Hemsworth

Angela Bassett had a minor role as Angela in the popular soap opera Guiding Light before achieving fame in Hollywood. Although limited information is available about the character of Angela, a few online clips and images suggest that she portrayed a compassionate and friendly nurse working at a hospital. Since then, Bassett has gone on to star in notable films such as How Stella Got Her Groove Back, Black Panther, and television series like American Horror Story.

Australian soap opera Home and Away featured actor Chris Hemsworth, widely known for his role as Thor, as Kim Hyde from 2004 to 2007. Kim, the son of the principal at Summer Bay High, had a tumultuous relationship with his father. Early on, he left home and embarked on a series of dramatic relationships. As his character evolved, Kim also battled substance abuse. This portrayal demonstrated Hemsworth's versatility and talent long before his iconic Marvel debut.

5 Susan Sarandon

4 Eva Longoria

Susan Sarandon emerged as a legendary actress, having kickstarted her journey with a notable presence in the TV series A World Apart. Bringing life to the character of Patrice Kahlman, Sarandon portrayed a courageous single mother who made the heart-wrenching decision to part ways with her newborn child. Reflecting on her remarkable career, Sarandon disclosed, "Within a span of just one year, I encountered countless upheavals, ranging from expulsion from school to an unexpected pregnancy with a terrorist. It was genuinely thrilling" (via Entertainment Weekly). This diverse range of storylines possibly influenced her exceptional capability to embody vastly different characters later on.

Eva Longoria, the renowned actress, began her career by appearing in two different soap operas. In General Hospital, she portrayed a Brenda Barrett lookalike, although her role was uncredited. Later, she took on the character of Isabella Braña Williams in The Young and the Restless, where she was featured in a 303-episode story arc. Isabella faced numerous challenges that significantly impacted her life. She arrived in town with the intention of separating Paul Williams and Christine Blair, but unexpectedly, she engaged in an affair with Paul. Eventually, they had a son together. This narrative bears resemblance to Longoria's breakthrough role in Desperate Housewives; nonetheless, it differs greatly from her more contemporary portrayals.

3 Nathan Fillion

Before Firefly and Castle, Nathan Fillion played the character of Joey Buchanan in the soap opera One Life to Live. Although Buchanan's presence spanned nearly three decades on the show, Fillion only portrayed the role between 1994 and 1997. During this time, Joey engaged in a clandestine romance with Dorian Lord, who happened to be the antagonistic figure to his former step-grandmother. Joey later pursued a romantic relationship with Kelly, Dorian's niece, until she ultimately abandoned him in favor of his brother. Fillion's portrayal exuded a captivating leading-man charisma, ultimately earning him a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series.

2 Jensen Ackles

Beginning his career as Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives, Jensen Ackles is now widely recognized for his portrayal of Dean in the hit series Supernatural. During his time on Days of Our Lives, he appeared in almost 450 episodes, playing the role of Eric, the gentle and virtuous twin brother of the troubled Sami. His character's storylines included a heartfelt romance with Nicole Walker, though their love did not ultimately endure, leading Eric to pursue a life in the priesthood. In 1998, Ackles received the prestigious Soap Opera Digest Award for Best Male Newcomer in recognition of his exceptional performance on the show. The stark contrast between the fantastical world of Supernatural and the drama of a soap opera truly showcases Ackles' versatile acting abilities.

1 Michael B. Jordan

Michael B. Jordan, known for his work in projects such as Friday Night Lights and Creed, first gained recognition for his portrayal of Reggie Montgomery in the soap opera All My Children. A fascinating connection to note is that he took over the role previously played by the late Chadwick Boseman, who later became his co-star in Black Panther. Reggie's character storyline revolved around his involvement in a gang due to a difficult home life, leading to entanglement in the legal system. Eventually, the arc concluded with Jack adopting Reggie, who then pursued higher education with a basketball scholarship. This role aptly showcases the depth and complexity evident in Jordan's repertoire of performances.