If no actor took over the part, I would say they still count. But the second they bring in another actor to fill in, I count it as a break.

Like now with Kirsten Storms on GH.

Both Moss and Lang were still under contract at that time. A maternity leave would definitely NOT count as being off the show.

I agree, jcar.

OLTL: Robert S Woods has been on OLTL since 1979. Left the show in 1986, returned in 1988 and stayed until its cancellation.

---> Do you count breaks where they re-cast the role with another actor while the original actor is off on maternity leave or shooting a movie etc?

I wouldnt count a maternity or medical leave, even if the role was recast, as long as the actor was under contract and returned.

OLTL: Robert S Woods has been on OLTL since 1979. Left the show in 1986, returned in 1988 and stayed until its cancellation.

and he therefore doesnt qualify. In terms of this thread, he was on OLTL since 1988, giving him a consecutive run of 24 years which isnt too shabby

Isn't James Reynolds Days of our Lives current longest running cast member?

Leslie Charleson is the longest running cast member on GH. Even though she's no-longer on contract, she has been consistently on the show since 1976.

Isn't James Reynolds Days of our Lives current longest running cast member?

He was fired during the serial killing story. His current run is only 8 years. Had it not been for that, he'd be at 31

Edited June 27, 201213 yr by Cheap21

I figure if the person is let go with the general understanding that he/she will be back, then that's not a break. Tons of people have been temporarily replaced, including Kathryn Hays, Erika Slezak, Jeanne Cooper, Eileen Fulton, etc. Are we gonna start saying that Jeanne's current Y&R run began in December 2011?

Rachel Ames was off GH for about a year around 67 and James Reynolds left Days to play on Generations as Henry, so their runs have been interrupted.

Helen Wagner had 2 runs on ATWT 56-81 and 84-2010.

I thought that Rachel Ames leave in 67 was temporary, and that she was contracted during it.

Let's not forget Ray MacDonnell with 40 consecutive years at AMC! Ruth Warrick clocked 35 years on contract (until her death) but, except for that one appearance in 2005, only appered regularly on screen until 2002, I believe. Besides EIleen Herlie, other biggies on AMC (more than 15 consecutive years) are James Mitchell (31 years), David Canary (27-28 years), Julia Barr (24-25 years after she returned to the show and replaced her replacement, Harriet Hall in 81-82), Mary Fickett (25 years), Fran Heflin (24 years), Walt Willey (24 years, mostly on contract; he recurred for a hot second, I believe), Jill Larson (22 years, both contract & recurring), Michael E. Knight (19 years after he returned full time in 1992), Richard Shoberg (18 years), and Candace Earley (17 years). Did I miss anyone else?

Then take Rachel Damn Ames off the list.

No I'm saying I think Rachel Ames SHOULD be on the list. Yes, she left in 1967 but I'm pretty sure she was still contracted during the leave.