10 Longest serving stars in the history of Daily Soaps

Soap operas have been part of television for decades and their appeal has never really faded. These shows air every day and deliver stories packed with drama, love affairs, betrayals, and shocking twists.

But what keeps people coming back is not just the wild plots but the actors who stay loyal to the same roles year after year. Some of them have been playing the same character for over forty or even fifty years and have become permanent fixtures on television screens.

These actors show up every day and put in the work no matter how many years pass. Viewers have watched them fall in love, get married, lose everything, and bounce back.

While other shows get canceled or fade away these soap stars keep going. They stick with their roles no matter what changes happen behind the scenes. Their dedication is a big reason why daytime television is still standing strong. Here is a look at ten actors who have spent decades playing the same part and left a lasting mark on the history of soaps.

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Longest serving stars in the history of Daily Soaps

1) William Roache – Ken Barlow on Coronation Street (1960–present): 64 years

William Roache has played Ken Barlow on Coronation Street since 1960 which makes him the longest-serving actor in television soap history. Ken started out as a working-class young man who wanted more from life and over the years his character has seen everything from troubled marriages to political campaigns to bitter family fights.

His relationship with Deirdre Barlow defined a huge part of the show and his ongoing struggles with his children kept him central to major storylines. Ken’s long presence has held the show together and gave viewers a familiar face through six decades of change.

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2) Barbara Knox – Rita Tanner on Coronation Street (1964, 1972–present): 53 years

Barbara Knox first appeared as Rita Tanner in 1964 and returned full-time in 1972. Rita became one of Coronation Street’s most important characters known for her strong will and loyalty. She ran The Kabin newsagent and acted as a mother figure to younger characters, especially during their toughest moments.

One of Rita’s most memorable storylines involved her abusive relationship with Alan Bradley which ended when he was killed by a tram. Rita’s steadiness through the years helped shape the show’s heart and gave longtime viewers a familiar anchor as the cast around her constantly changed.

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3) Suzanne Rogers – Maggie Horton on Days of Our Lives (1973–1984, 1985–present) – 50+ years

Suzanne Rogers took on the role of Maggie Horton in 1973 and has stayed with Days of Our Lives for more than fifty years. Maggie was introduced as a disabled farm girl and eventually became a key member of the Horton family. Her marriage to Mickey Horton became a cornerstone of the show and her later relationship with Victor Kiriakis added more depth.

Rogers’ real-life diagnosis with myasthenia gravis was written into Maggie’s story making it one of the first soaps to address chronic illness openly. Maggie’s journey has been a steady part of Salem’s ever-changing landscape.

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4) Susan Seaforth Hayes – Julie Williams on Days of Our Lives (1968–1984, 1990–1994, 1999–present): 47 years

Susan Seaforth Hayes has portrayed Julie Williams on Days of Our Lives for forty-seven years making her one of the show’s longest-standing stars. Julie started as a rebellious teenager but quickly became one of Salem’s leading characters. Her on-screen romance and marriage to Doug Williams became a defining soap opera love story and helped popularize the concept of the daytime super couple.

Julie’s schemes, her heartbreaks, and her loyalty to her family shaped major story arcs for decades. Hayes’ long commitment to the role has kept Julie a constant presence through the show’s shifts and cast changes.

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5) Melody Thomas Scott – Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless (1979–present): 46 years

Melody Thomas Scott has played Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless since 1979 and turned the character into one of daytime television’s most recognizable figures. Nikki’s story began with her as a stripper and evolved into her role as Genoa City’s leading matriarch.

Her relationship with Victor Newman has driven many of the show’s biggest plots. Nikki has faced alcoholism illness and endless personal challenges yet remains central to the show. Scott’s long tenure gives the show stability and her character’s rise from outsider to power player reflects the soap’s ability to keep evolving while staying connected to its history.

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6) Eric Braeden – Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless (1980–present): 45 years

Eric Braeden has played Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless since 1980. Victor came to Genoa City as a self-made businessman who built Newman Enterprises through sheer control and determination. For forty-five years he has shaped the show’s biggest conflicts whether feuding with Jack Abbott or trying to control his family.

His volatile relationship with Nikki Newman became one of Daytime’s most famous love stories. Victor’s ruthless business tactics and personal betrayals defined the show’s core for decades. Braeden’s long tenure made Victor the backbone of the series keeping the Newman legacy at the forefront.

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7) Deidre Hall – Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives (1976–1987, 1991–2009, 2011–present): 43+ years

Deidre Hall has played Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives for over forty-three years. Marlena arrived in Salem as a respected psychiatrist and quickly became a central figure in the town. One of her most talked-about storylines came in the 1990s when Marlena was possessed by the devil which gave the show one of its highest-rated periods.

Her long romance with John Black and her role as the show’s moral center kept her firmly in focus. Hall’s return after brief breaks always marked major story shifts and kept Marlena as the show’s emotional core.

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8) Kate Linder – Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless (1982–present): 43 years

Kate Linder has played Esther Valentine on The Young and the Restless since 1982. Esther started as Katherine Chancellor’s loyal maid but over time became more deeply woven into the show’s storylines. She was known for her unwavering loyalty to Katherine and her complicated friendship with Jill Abbott.

Esther often served as comic relief but her moments of strength stood out, especially during Katherine’s battles and after her death. For forty-three years Esther’s character provided consistency in Genoa City’s shifting landscape.

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9) James Reynolds – Abe Carver on Days of Our Lives (1981–1990, 1991–present): 42 years

James Reynolds has played Abe Carver on Days of Our Lives since 1981. Abe began as a police officer and climbed his way up to become Salem’s police chief and later its mayor. He was central to many crime and justice stories that shaped the town’s fate.

His marriage to Lexie Carver and her later death added personal weight to his storylines. His relationship with his son Theo who was diagnosed with autism brought another layer of depth. For over forty years Abe’s steady presence gave the show stability while anchoring both the police department and the Carver family.

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10) John McCook – Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful (1987–present): 38 years

John McCook has played Eric Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful since the show started in 1987. Eric is the founder of Forrester Creations and the head of the Forrester family. His leadership in the fashion world created fierce business rivalries, especially with the Spectra family.

His turbulent marriage to Stephanie Forrester and ongoing involvement with Brooke Logan drove major conflicts. Eric’s role often tied together business plots and family betrayals which shaped the show’s direction for nearly four decades. McCook’s long run ensured Eric remained at the center of the show’s family and business power struggles.

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