As much as some people keep wanting their favorite actor/actress/character to return to their show, we can't deny that there are some actors who blossom once they leave soaps. I love watching the rest of the world discover the talent that so many of us saw years ago. Who are the former soap actors that give you a "Hell yeah!" reaction to when you see them on other shows?

For me its:

Jessica Tuck (Megan, OLTL)

Renee Elise Goldsberry (Evangeline, OLTL)

Noelle Beck (Trisha, Loving)

Michelle Forbes (Sonny/Solita, GL)

Rachel Miner (Michelle, GL)

Cynthia Watros (Annie, GL)

Nia Long (Kat, GL)

Nathan Fillion (Joey, OLTL)

Tika Sumpter (Layla, OLTL)

Ellen Bethea (Rachel, OLTL)

Jane Krakowski (T.R., Search for Tomorrow)

Kelli Giddish, (Di, AMC)

Julianne Moore...in the movies she has been in . I get that feeling with her.

Tammy Blanchard

Jessica Tuck (Megan, OLTL)

Renee Elise Goldsberry (Evangeline, OLTL)

Noelle Beck (Trisha, Loving)

Michelle Forbes (Sonny/Solita, GL)

Rachel Miner (Michelle, GL)

Cynthia Watros (Annie, GL)

Nia Long (Kat, GL)

Nathan Fillion (Joey, OLTL)

Tika Sumpter (Layla, OLTL)

Ellen Bethea (Rachel, OLTL)

Jane Krakowski (T.R., Search for Tomorrow)

Kelli Giddish, (Di, AMC)

I feel really culturally ignorant right about now because most of these people I never heard of. JT has a supporting role on True Blood, right? REG I know does Broadway, and the rest I would be hard pressed to tell you what shows they are on, or even be able to pick them out of a police line up. NF was on that sci-fi show that had a cult following I think. And CW I want to say played Hurley's girlfriend on LOST.

Edited June 26, 201114 yr by quartermainefan

Probably doesn't count because I never knew her from ATWT, but Parker Posey. And I really enjoyed seeing Robin Strasser in her primetime stints during her breaks from One Life.

Esta Terblanche would be this for me if she went on to do more post-AMC, and I really need to seek out more of Debbi Morgan's primetime work as I whenever I catch her in something.

ANNE HECHE

ROBIN WRIGHT PENN

JULIANNE MOORE

Harley Jane Kozak

Stacy Edwards

Jessica Tuck

Victor Webster

Jensen Ackles

Susan Sullivan

Stephen Schnetzer (I don't see him but LOVE hearing him do voice-overs)

Gina Gallego

Justin Hartley

Josh Duhamel

Antonio Sabato Jr.

Edited June 27, 201114 yr by juniorz1

Shemar Moore.

Yup, Shemar Moore would be another one for me.

To add to my list:

Shemar Moore

Vivica Fox

Kelly Rutherford

Grant Show

Lisa Rinna

Kelly Ripa (LOVE it when she appears on Bravo's Watch What Happens LIVE!)

Edited June 27, 201114 yr by juniorz1

Matthew St. Patrick - so underrated on Six Feet Under

Don Hstings Dr Bob ex ATWT

Larry Bryggman John Dixon formely ATWT

Scott Bryce Craig Montgomery

Jerry Douglas Y&R

Kelly Rutherford

I totally forgot about her. No matter where I've seen her my first thought is, "Hey, it's Sam from Generations!"

Edited September 19, 201114 yr by marceline

William Fitchner and Anne Heche (Hung) are the two ex-soapers that I was always convinced would make it in prime time/the movies. Heche's career was derailed by the Ellen drama, but Fitchner is now getting regular supporting work in the movies.

The other two that I thought would do well were Jessica Tuck (True Blood) and Matt Bomer (White Collar).

When Zach Roerig (Vampire Diaries) was on ATWT, the easy way he carried himself reminded me of James Dean. I still expect him to become a big movie star one day.

Some more I thought of:

Alicia Coppola

Charlotte Ross

Charles Shaughnessy

Sam Page

Ryan Phillippe

Paul Walker

Robin Wright. I've watched almost all her movies

Cynthia Watros and Wendy Moniz were the first two that immediately came to my mind... though Moniz is returning to daytime soon! Any word on an airdate? I haven't heard...

After seeing the responses, I definitely have to add another vote in for Kelly Rutherford.

And who doesn't love Susan Sarandon?