Article: The 15 Most Memorable Female Soap Opera Characters Ever

[Mr. Vixen]

I don't think Susan Martin was her definitive role at all. Maybe she is identified with it, but I would imagine that when most people think Denise Alexander, their mind goes to Lesley Webber.

Is her being number one odd? Maybe a little, but I'm not complaining. I love Lesley. Always have.

[SFK]

It's been my understanding that Susan is her signature role, the one that shot her into stratospheric soap stardom in the '70s. I remember this coming up when some of us youngins were wondering why she got that coveted "and" credit on Another World.

[Mr. Vixen]

I don't agree with that completely. I think Susan is the role that rocketed her to soap fame, yes. But I think she is more identified with as Lesley Webber. She is one of the main reasons why GH wasn't canceled, as Lesley helped get it out of the ratings slump.

Lesley became one of the most popular GH characters, the Monica/Lesley/Rick triangle is still today one of the most famous, and Lesley is also the mother of Laura of "Luke and Laura"...So I definitely think it was GH that made her famous.

And while DAYs definitely got her the coveted "and" credit on GH, it was most definitely, IMHO, GH that got it for her on AW.

[LoyaltoAMC]

And just so the guys don't feel left out... Luke is #1, but the others are in alphabetical order:

Luke Spencer, GH

Bo Brady, Days

Adam Chandler, AMC

Barnabas Collins, DS

Sonny Corinthos, GH

Mac Cory, AW

John Dixon, ATWT

Jack Fenelli, RH

Steve Frame, AW

Steve Hardy, GH

Bob Hughes, ATWT

Mike Karr, EON

Tad Martin, AMC

Victor Newman, Y&R

Robert Scorpio, GH

Honorable mentions:

Jack Abbott, Y&R

Ed Bauer, GL

Stu Bergman, SFT

Bo Buchanan, OLTL

Mason Capwell, SB

Palmer Cortlandt, AMC

Jesse Hubbard, AMC

Matt Powers, Doc

Alan Quartermaine, GH

Holden Snyder, ATWT

Alan Spalding, GL

Doug Williams, Days

[All My Shadows]

Nah, Victor is definitely #1. And no Stefano?

[Mr. Vixen]

I would say Luke is number one ONLY because he has been both one half of a supercouple, or should I say THE supercouple, as well as having his own storylines and romantic pairings that have worked.

[SFK]

I would also say Luke as #1 and Victor a VERY close #2 and Adam/Stuart a VERY close #3. More like 1, 1.5, and 2.

I agree with SoapBoy's assessment.

[DeeeDee]

Steve Frame over Jesse, Jack & both Alan's?

[MichaelGL]

No mention of Roger Thorpe in that list of males....smdh....

[Cheap21]

I will say Annie Douglas of Sunset Beach is one of the most memorable female characters in soaps. Id put her on my list of top 15. She was only around for 3 years but she made quite a splash. Over 10 years since she last aired but who can forget her classic fantasies and crazy sense of bitchy humor? The girl was a legend. She truly was memorable

I would also place OLTL's Todd Manning on the list of memorable men. He's earned it

[quartermainefan]

how come Eileen Fulton isn't being bandied about here? Was Lisa not memorable?

[Pine Charles]

ALL MY CHILDREN

Top 15 Females

Ruth Martin

Ann Tyler

Dixie Cooney

Mona Kane

Kendall Hart

Bianca Montgomery

Nina Cortlandt

Angie Hubbard

Jenny Gardner

Natalie Dillon

Janet Green

Brooke English

Opal Gardner

Phoebe Tyler

Erica Kane

[Cheap21]

where's Marissa Tasker?

[Mr. Vixen]

Y&R Top 15 Females:

Jill Foster

Nikki Newman

Nina Webster

Katherine Chancellor

Christine Blair

Rose DeVille (I know she wasn't on all that long, but she's reall memorable)

Victoria Newman (Heather Tom era)

Liz Foster

Drucilla Winters

Olivia Barber

Traci Abbott

Ashley Abbott

Hope Wilson

Gina Roma

Sheila Carter

Mamie Johnson

[DRW50]

Considering that both actors who have played Todd lost all interest in the role only a few years after taking over, I'm not sure how memorable it would be.