Stars Who Got Their Start On Soaps — Photos
Before they were household names and Oscar-nominated A-listers, actors like Brad Pitt and Mila Kunis graced TV screens on a weekly basis when they appeared on iconic soap operas! A number of Hollywood celebs, who now star on the big screen, actually got their first big break in the industry by starting on the small screen. These performers left a major impression on the world of soap operas that sky rocketed them into super stardom. Now, we’re taking a look back at some of the famous faces you may not know got their first taste for acting by starring on soaps like Days of Our Lives, and All My Children.
It’s hard to believe how far some of these stars have come since the beginning of their careers! Other notable names who got their first big break on soaps include Sarah Michelle Gellar, Josh Duhamel, Brittany Snow, and Hayden Panettiere. Scroll through the gallery above to reminisce on some of your favorite A-listers who began their careers on the small screen.
Mila Kunis
Mila Kunis’ first credited TV role was on the soap opera ‘Days of Our Lives’ at the age of 11 when she played a young Hope Williams in a flashback sequence.
Brad Pitt
Oscar-winner Brad Pitt is one of the biggest names in Hollywood, and his two-episode stint on the daytime soap ‘Another World’ in 1987 was one of his first acting credits.
Brittany Snow
‘Pitch Perfect’ actress Brittany Snow’s career launched in 1998 with a three-year run as troubled teen Daisy Lemay on the TV soap ‘Guiding Light.’
Demi Moore
General Hospital is where Demi Moore got her start! The actress played Jackie Templeton on the long-running soap opera between 1982-1984. She co-starred on the series for a total of 29 episodes, which created a strong launching pad for the rest of her career.
Hayden Panettiere
Hayden Panettiere truly grew up on camera! The actress, who went on to star on ‘Heroes’ and ‘Nashville’ actuallu began her career at the age of 4 when she landed the role of Sarah Roberts on ‘One Life to Live’. She continued on the ABC soap for three years before heading over to CBS’s ‘Guiding Light’ where she took on the role of Lizzie Spaulding.
John Stamos
John Stamos starred on ‘General Hospital’ from 1982-1992 as Blackie Parrish and himself. He went on to star in the long-running family comedy ‘Full House’ from 1987-1995.
Josh Duhamel
Hunky actor Josh Duhamel played con-man Leo du Pres on ‘All My Children’ from 1999 until the character’s bitter end in 2002. His character took a tumble over a waterfall and was presumed dead, however he reprised his character for a short cameo in a dream sequence in 2011.
Justin Hartley
Before he became known for his role on ‘This Is Us’, Justin Hartley kicked off his career by playing Fox Crane on ‘Passions’ from 2002 to 2006. He also had a regular role on ‘The Young and the Restless’ later in his career!
Kelly Ripa
Although Kelly Ripa still graces our screens every day as the co-host of her morning show ‘Live With Kelly and Ryan’, her career actually began with a longtime role on ‘All My Children’. She scored the role of Hayley Vaughan Santos in 1990 and played the character until 2002.
Margot Robbie
Australian actress Margot Robbie first got her foot in the door with a stint on the long-running soap Neighbours. Long before she was a DC Comics superstar, Margot played aspiring fashion designer Donna Freedman on the show from 2008 to 2011.
Sarah Michelle Gellar
‘Buffy’ star Sarah Michelle Gellar played Kendall Hart, the long-lost daughter of Erica Kane, for two years on ‘All My Children’. The actress won an Emmy in 1995 for her role, and returned to the show in 2011 when the soap came to an end.
