It might seem that soap operas are just long-standing serials that are unrelated to the more glamorous world of Hollywood and streaming. However, it is often the place where some of the biggest stars get their first break. Soap operas are an important part of making it big as an actor, and a lot of acting prowess is needed to enter soap operas. Here are 10 actors who made it big in Hollywood but were soap actors first.
Morgan Freeman, Meg Ryan, and other stars who were soap actors
1. Julianne Moore
The actress is known for her prolific roles and has worked in both independent cinema and box-office blockbusters. She is also known for portraying complex emotions by embodying the roles of emotionally troubled women. However, many might not know that Moore starred in the soap opera As the Word Turns. She even won a Daytime Emmy Award for her portrayal. In the show, Moore played the role of Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. She even made a comeback in 2010 for a special episode.
The actress successfully made the shift to Hollywood and is the recipient of various prestigious awards like the Oscars, the BAFTAs, the Golden Globes, and the Emmys. From independent movies like Short Cuts to critically acclaimed roles in Still Alice and Boogie Nights—the former of which got her an Oscar—Moore has always displayed her acting talent. Some of her other work includes Hannibal, The Big Lebowski, and more.
2. Guy Pearce
The Australian actor had his first big start in the acting world through the world of soap operas. Pearce debuted on the show Neighbours and portrayed the character of Mike Young. He also came back to portray his character in 2024 and garnered a Daytime Emmy nomination for the same. However, the actor did not stop there and made waves in Hollywood. Some of his early hits include The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, L.A. Confidential, and Memento.
Pearce is one of the most sought-after names in the Hollywood industry, and he is known for his versatility and dedication. His other movies include The Hurt Locker, Prometheus, Iron Man 3, and more. Back home, he starred in Australian movies like The Rover and The Proposition. His most recently acclaimed work was in The Brutalist, which got him an Oscar nomination for supporting actor. On TV, he has worked in Mildred Pierce and Mare of Easttown.
3. Josh Duhamel
Duhamel began his career through modeling before shifting to soap operas. He starred in the show All My Children, where he became famous as the heartthrob Leo, whose true love was Greenlee. However, he left the show to pursue other opportunities—even though he had won a Daytime Emmy—and his character’s death was mourned by fans. In 2011, he briefly came back to portray Leo in a dream.
The actor then made the shift to Tinseltown and made a name for himself. One of his most successful projects in Hollywood was the Transformers franchise, of which he was an essential part. His other movies include Safe Haven, When in Rome, Love, Simon, and others. In shows, he has worked on Jupiter’s Legacy, Battle Creek, and Blade Runner: Black Lotus. The actor has, therefore successfully transitioned to Hollywood from soap operas.
4. Demi Moore
The revered actress is also one of those Hollywood stars who started out in soap operas, and not many people might know about it. Moore first tried her hand at modeling before joining the cast of the soap opera General Hospital. She played the role of an investigative journalist, Jackie Templeton, on the show. The actress then transitioned towards movies and became a member of the 80s Brat Pack. She starred in the movies St. Elmo’s Fire and Blame It on Rio.
Her mainstream career in Hollywood started when she got her breakthrough role in the movie Ghost. She continued to work on other successful movies like A Few Good Men, Disclosure, G.I. Jane, and more. The actress was the highest-paid actress in the mid-90s. Recently, she was lauded for her performance in the movie The Substance, which earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and won her a Golden Globe.
5. Morgan Freeman
The actor is seen as an essential in Hollywood and is known for working prolifically in a number of movies. However, the actor only started out in the acting world in his late 20s and had a stint on soap operas like Ryan’s Hope and Another World. The actor is known for his rich, deep voice and expressive acting and successfully transitioned to Hollywood. Freeman also did theatre and appeared in the Shakespearean play Coriolanus, which got him an Obie award. Plus, he is also a Tony-nominated actor for his stage work.
However, the actor has left his most important mark in movies. Some of his most famous movies include The Shawshank Redemption, Driving Miss Daisy, Seven, Now You See Me, and more. He has also lent his voice to various documentaries like March of the Penguins, Our Universe, and other important projects. The actor is now considered an icon in the film industry and has always elevated the characters he portrays with his determined performances.
6. Angela Bassett
The actress is one of the most sought-after actresses in Hollywood today, but even she made her mark in soap operas before jumping to movies. Bassett is an extensive TV actress who debuted on the soap opera Search for Tomorrow as Nurse Salina McCulla. She also briefly appeared in the soaps Guiding Light and Ryan’s Hope. However, she soon transitioned to films and had a string of successes like Boyz N the Hood, Malcolm X, and What’s Love Got to Do With It, which got her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress and won her a Golden Globe.
The actress has continued to attract audiences by taking on roles in movies like Green Lantern and Olympus Has Fallen. More recently, she has drawn acclaim for her portrayal of Queen Ramonda in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Black Panther, which has won her various awards. On TV, she has starred in The Rosa Parks Story, which got her an Emmy nomination, and has regularly featured in the show 9-1-1.
7. Brad Pitt
The actor who shook up Hollywood with his smoldering looks was also one of those actors who got his big break on soap opera first. Pitt’s first TV role was on the soap opera Another World, where he played a young basketball player named Chris. Pitt then entered the world of stardom and never looked back. He is the recipient of numerous awards and has won the Oscars, Golden Globes, Emmys, and more. He has also been featured on the Forbes’ Celebrity 100 list.
Some of his career-defining work includes Seven, Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and more. Pitt quickly made his mark as an actor who could take on leading man roles, and his looks only boosted his popularity. Some of his other blockbuster work includes Troy, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, World War Z, and more. His critically acclaimed movies include The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, which got him an Oscar nomination, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, which won him an Academy Award.
8. Michael B. Jordan
Another actor who made it big in Hollywood and has appeared in soap operas is Michael B. Jordan. Many of his fans might not know that the actor was a part of the opera All My Children and played the role of a troubled teenager called Reggie Montgomery. Interestingly, the role was originally for Chadwick Boseman, who objected to it and was fired. Jordan was attached to the show for a few years before he made the leap to movies. However, he first broke out on TV by starring in shows like The Wire and Friday Night Lights.
His big break in Hollywood happened when he reprised the role of Creed in all of the film series, which was a spin-off franchise of Rocky. After making his name in the series, Jordan worked on projects like Black Panther, Chronicle, Just Mercy, and more. For his role in Fahrenheit 451, he was nominated for an Emmy award. He is regularly featured in the Sexiest Man Alive lists, and is considered one of the most influential people in the world by Time Magazine.
9. Meg Ryan
One of the most well-known faces for romantic comedies in the 90s and termed as America’s sweetheart, Meg Ryan, has starred in soap operas before making it big in Hollywood. She had a stint on As the World Turns, which she wanted to do just to earn money while studying. However, the stint turned into a longer role, and she played the character of Betsy Stewart, who married Steve Andropoulos, which attracted millions of views. The actress is known for her quirky and witty charm, and her movies showcase her talent.
Some of her most famous works are Top Gun, When Harry Met Sally (which got her a Golden Globe nomination), Sleepless in Seattle, You’ve Got Mail, and more. Recently, she came back to the world of films after a long hiatus and starred in the romantic comedy What Happens Later, which she also directed. The actress is one of Hollywood's most well-known faces and a bankable star.
10. Chris Hemsworth
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Many people will be surprised to learn that the man behind the superhero Thor was also a part of the world of soap operas. The Australian actor played the role of a high school dropout in the opera Home and Away and played the character of Kim Hyde. However, the actor wanted to explore more opportunities and soon made the jump to Hollywood. His breakthrough performance was in the Marvel Cinematic Universe movie Thor, where he played the God of Thunder and became one of the highest-paid actors.
His other works include Snow White and the Huntsman, Red Dawn, Extraction, and Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. Even though Hemsworth is mostly known for his looks and physique, which has typecasted him into action movie roles, he has also worked in the comedy horror, The Cabin in the Woods, and the biographical sports movie Rush. The actor is now one of the most prominent actors of the current generation and has gained a huge fan following.
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