Which soap actor that made it big surprised you?

[cct]

I would throw Kim Delaney into the "bigger star" mix. She had NYPD Blue, Army Wives and numerous guest spots. 

 

I suppose one could throw Melissa Leo in there. She actually has an Oscar to her name.

 

I wasn't watching when either of them were on; I was younger, but I've seen old eps.

Ripa has charisma in spades, though. It didn't surprise me she made it big. She knows her lane; she stays in it, and has a lot to show for it.

[KMan101]

Yeah, I'd throw Kim Delaney and Kelly Ripa up there. Wasn't really thinking of them for whatever reason, lol. I'd call Amanda Seyfried a bigger star than Jordan ATM.

[DRW50]

Demi Moore. I think Michael Logan (?) used to say that was his biggest surprise. Looking at her on GH, I can see why.

[Darn]

Lucci and Ripa are by far AMC's biggest success stories. Most people have no idea KP was ever on a soap. I liked MBJ a lot as Reggie and was with the small but vocal contingent that caused a stink when he disappeared to basketball camp and then was never mentioned again. Btw I'm pretty sure Darrin Brooks wears a hairpiece because that mess on his head looks synthetic.

[ranger1rg]

It's just not true that Stallone is the only Creed actor anyone is talking about. Michael B Jordan received GREAT reviews ahe has had a ton of attention. For those who follow movies, MBJ is now a household name.

[BreakingDownTheWalls]

Exactly.  Stallone might have gotten the Oscar nomination (and I'm sure there are a whole bunch of reasons why that happened), but Michael B. Jordan received great reviews for Creed.  In fact, he just won the National Society of Film Critics for Creed.  Hell, he should be a two-time Oscar nominee for Fruitvale Station and Creed, but that didn't happen.

[Vee]

Michael B. Jordan is officially a movie star. If he wasn't by last year he definitely is now.

 

I am shocked Shelly Hennig got anywhere. I found her aggressively bland on DAYS.

[Fevuh]

ATWT- Parker Posey.  She was just OK to me - meh.

[P.J.]

Billy Magnussen. It's hard not to be flabbergasted seeing him go from Emily's booty call to movie star.

[Soapsuds]

I had forgotten about her. She was downright awful on ATWT. How she made it big to me is still a big mystery.

[YRBB]

Is it really a mystery, though? I mean, really? Considering the fact that 95% of daytime became horrid about 20 years ago and provided its casts with nearly NOTHING to work with, no good writing, no good direction, no good lighting and no good characters & arcs, why is it surprising that those who come off horribly on a daytime show could actually be much better outside of it? Daytime eats its talent alive.

[Soapsuds]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RddnKiRG8dU

 

This is his first episode….the hair….LOL…I forgot who did he replace? I think he made it bigger than the previous Casey. He has a lot of charm and charisma. I can see how he made it big.

[Fevuh]

Marland was writing for the show at the time.  The plots and writing were good.  World Turns was among the best 2 or 3 soaps airing during those years.  The actors on the show were for the most part very strong, and that could have been to Parker's detriment - but talent was coming out of that show to primetime or movies in droves.  There are so many that people probably wouldn't remember - Parker fell flat to me, and I never understood the great success she had afterward. 

[Soapsuds]

Marisa Tomei was another actress who I thought would never make it big. I didnt care for her on ATWT. She went on to do Different World…which I thought she was awful in and reminded me of her role on ATWT…LOL

[YRBB]

At what time? Within the last 20 years? Because that's what I was talking about. Obviously, this doesn't apply to everyone, even in recent years. I guess I should have made a point of that.