15 most iconic Soaps' villains who'll make your skin crawl

Indeed, drama, romance, and intrigue fill the world of soap operas, and it's the villains that usually steal the show. These multidimensional characters are the life and blood of the drama because they keep one's breathing in tension from the go-to end. Manipulative masterminds, ruthless crime lords, and the most popular of all iconic villains have been a part of soap opera history. These evildoers have entered the unless sinister scheming within twists leading to shocking revelations for television audiences, endearing them and earning a spot on the list of such beloved yet hated characters.

Here's a list of 15 Villains from soaps who'll make your skin crawl:

15. David Kimble (The Young And The Restless)

Michael Corbett portrays David Kimble as a smooth but deadly villain whose talents involve deception. He was initially introduced as Jill Abbott's new assistant. A con artist, a Smooth-talker, and manipulative by nature, David wreaks havoc upon Genoa City, making him one of the best and most compelling and terrifying The Young And The Restless villains. Corbett joined the show in 1986 and played the character until 1991.

14. James Stenbeck (As the World Turns)

James Stenbeck, played by Anthony Herrera, is a complex and unhinged villain with a penchant for drama and manipulation. He was first introduced in 1980 as an heir to the Swedish throne, widower, and controlling ex-lover of Barbara Ryan. With his charming facade and sinister intentions, Stenbeck wreaks havoc on Oakdale, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. Herrera portrayed the role of Stenbeck from 1980 to 2010.

13. Victor Newman (The Young and the Restless)

Victor Newman, played by Eric Braeden, is a ruthless and cunning businessman with a talent for manipulation. With his sharp wit and commanding presence, Victor builds a soap opera empire, making him one of the most iconic villains in The Young And The Restless history. In 1999, the character appeared briefly in The Bold and the Beautiful. Braeden went on to earn a Daytime Emmy Award in 1998 as Lead Actor in a Drama Series for that role.

12. Clyde Weston (Days Of Our Lives)

Clyde Weston, played by James Read, is a ruthless and power-hungry villain who will stop at nothing to achieve his goals. He was the local drug lord in Poplar Bluff in Days Of Our Lives. With his smooth-talking and deceitful nature, Clyde manipulates those around him, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake. Read had been playing the role of Clyde from 2014 to 2015 and then as a recurring character from 2016 to 2024- an entire decade of villainy.

11. Cyrus (General Hospital)

Jeff Kober portrays Cyrus as a ruthless and cunning crime lord specializing in manipulation. To take his cold, calculating, menacing looks even further, the way he creates fear in the minds of those to whom he may present himself makes him truly a formidable villain in the history of General Hospital. He is the main antagonist/villain of General Hospital and was introduced in February 2020.

10. Patty Williams (The Young And The Restless)

Patty Williams, played by Stacy Haiduk, is indeed a complicated and unhinged villainess with a penchant for chaos. Patty's disturbed mind and explosive temper wreak havoc on Genoa City in The Young And The Restless, leaving audiences on the edge of their seats. There were other actresses who played Sheila Carter before: Tammy Taylor (1980), Lilibet Stern (1980-1982), Andrea Evans (1983-1984), and Tammy Barr in flashbacks from 2009.

9. Jordan Howard (The Young And The Restless)

Jordan Howard, played by Collen Zenk, is a ruthless and cunning villain who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals in the latest storyline in The Young And The Restless. She turns out to be Ian's partner and shares a more personal vendetta against the Newmans. Jordan is also, for better context, the estranged sister of Eve Howard and niece, Claire Newman. Her schemes involve Claire's infiltration into the Newman family to pull things off against them. Most recently, in 2024, she made a deal with Ian Ward to facilitate their plans.

8. Ian Ward (The Young and the Restless)

Ian Ward is a devilishly clever manipulator, wielding a demented sense of morality. As a cult leader, Ian uses this rich collation of charisma and intelligence to rule over those around him. Over the years, there have been numerous returns to this show, with his most recent being in November 2024, when he attacked the Newmans alongside Jordan Howard. Wise's chilling performance deepens the character, making the master villain become the most heinous, terrifying villain in the Young And The Restless universe.

7. Helena Cassadine (General Hospital)

Helena, matriarch of havoc in Port Charles, is played by Constance Towers. With her cold gaze and devilish smile, Helena brings havoc into the lives of those around her. Towers' iconic performance brings depth and complexity to the character, making Helena a legendary GH villain. Helena first appeared on General Hospital in 1981, portrayed by the legendary actress Elizabeth Taylor. Later, from 1997 to 2023, Constance Towers played the role.

6. Matt Clark (The Young And The Restless)

Matt Clark is the alluring yet murderous antagonist in the series and is played by Rick Hearst. With his good looks, brain, and quick wit, Matt entertains people around him by manipulating them. Initially, Eddie Cibrain portrayed this character from 1994-1996. The way Cibrain performs adds slight menace and unpredictability to the character, making Matt a most effective and terrifying The Young And The Restless villain. The other actor who played Matt's character is Russell Lawrence (2000).

5. Luna Nozawa (The Bold And The Beautiful)

Luna Nozawa, played by Lisa Yamada and introduced in September 2023, is a mysterious and alluring villainess. With her striking presence and sinister motives, Luna casts a spell of intrigue over The Bold And The Beautiful universe. She happens to be the daughter of Poppy Nozawa, making her Dr. Li Nozawa's niece. Yamada's performance brings depth and complexity to the character, making Luna a fascinating addition to the show's rogues gallery.

4. Deacon Sharpe (The Bold And The Beautiful and The Young And The Restless)

Deacon Sharpe, played by Sean Kanan, is a bad boy with a heart of gold. His troubled past and penchant for troublemaking make him a compelling villain. With his charming smile and quick wit, Deacon navigates the complexities of soap opera life. Deacon first showed up in The Bold And The Beautiful in 2000 and has been a recurring character causing trouble. He also appeared in The Young And The Restless from 2009-2012. Kanan's portrayal of Deacon earned him a special place in the hearts of B&B and Y&R fans.

3. Cesar Faison (General Hospital)

Cesar Faison, initially played by Anders Hove, is a master of manipulation and deception. With his charming facade and sinister intentions, Faison orchestrates chaos in Port Charles. Hove's chilling performance brings depth to the character, making Faison a standout villain in General Hospital history. His complex character and menacing presence make him a compelling watch. Anders Hove played the character on and off from 1990 to 2018.

2. Stefano DiMera (Days Of Our Lives)

Stefano DiMera, played by Joseph Mascolo, is the Diabolical King of Salem. With his cunning wit and ruthless tactics, Stefano wreaks havoc on the citizens of Salem in Days Of Our Lives. Mascolo's portrayal of Stefano earned him a permanent place in soap opera history. His iconic character's elaborate schemes and menacing presence make him a compelling villain. Mascolo appeared as DiMera various times- 1982-85, 1988, 1993-2001, and lastly in 2007-17. Con Covert and Frank Fata also played the role in 1984 and 1991, respectively.

1. Sheila Carter (The Young And The Restless and The Bold And The Beautiful)

Sheila Carter, played by Kimberlin Brown, is the quintessential soap villainess. Her schemes and obsessive behaviors would embarrass even the most competent mastermind. Brown's nail-biting performance as the evil-hearted Sheila makes her the most visible soap opera villain. She was first introduced in 1990 in The Young And The Restless and later joined The Bold And The Beautiful in 1992. Michelle Stafford also portrayed Sheila Carter from December 28, 2006, to February 9, 2007.