Seeing those clips of B-52's on Guiding Light prompted me to start this topic.

 

The whole celebrity guest thing took hold in the early 80's, whether it be musical acts performing, celebs playing themselves or in limited 'guest star' appearances.

 

Let us know who you recall...

 

Being a soap history nerd I'll start with two that pre dated the trend.

 

Love of Life

Sammy Davis Jnr performed at Rick Latimer's club. Sammy was a big LOL fan at the time.

 

General Hospital

Mamie Van Doren as herself. I never saw this but apparently Lesley's husband Cameron arranged for Miss Van Doren to meet young Laura. What 12 yr old in the mid 70's didn't dream of meeting a 50's b movie starlet?

 

Mamie on GH kinda plays into the fact that with a few exceptions, a lot of the celeb guests were strictly second tier - musicians and actors slightly past their prime...

 

Edited February 15, 20196 yr by Paul Raven

2 hours ago, Franko said:

It is Eva. She's even referred to by name. This is what happens when I post before having coffee. Plus, I guess Zsa Zsa in Monticello seemed to make more sense to me.

Zsa Zsa guested on ATWT as Miranda's sister Lydia

17 hours ago, Vee said:

(Also, Florencia Lozano and Eddie Alderson around 2:25 in that performance video are hilarious)

 

We got a huge kick out of that in the daily thread. Those were the days.

2 hours ago, teplin said:

 

 

Crystal Gayle appeared on AW a bit later, in early 1987. She was menaced by the Sin Stalker and her week-long role culminated in her singing the new AW theme at Felicia's restaurant, along with her duet partner Gary Morris.

 

 

 

Charlton Heston 1993 B&B

8 hours ago, Franko said:

It is Eva. She's even referred to by name. This is what happens when I post before having coffee. Plus, I guess Zsa Zsa in Monticello seemed to make more sense to me.

 

We ALL make little mistakes like that. No sweat.

Kevin Pollak appeared as himself on OLTL in the 80s doing a standup routine with impersonations. I also remember The Beach Boys singing Kokomo on OLTL. Phil Carey had a tv and movie career before joining the show.
Nolan Ryan, Johnny Mathis, Van Johnson, Otto Preminger and Christopher Reeve as themselves on RH. 
Star Trek's James Doohan on B&B. Ditto Dr. Joyce Brothers.
Randolph Mantooth was a prime time star before he started showing up on soaps like Loving. Jack Scalia was also better known outside of daytime prior to AMC. David Canary best known from Bonanza before soaps.
Celeste Holm on Loving.
Anna Lee on GH.

Actually...back to Ryan's Hope again...they snagged some old Hollywood stars....Sylvia Sidney, Gloria DeHaven, Gale Sondergaard, Joan Fontaine.

 

Edited February 17, 20196 yr by applcin

James Franco (and his mother) as Franco (and his mother) on GH.

4 hours ago, applcin said:

I also remember The Beach Boys singing Kokomo on OLTL. 

 

I never knew they appeared on a soap. 

I can't remember where the clip is, but Level 42 performed "Something About You" on OLTL in 1986. 

Boy, that Sammy Davis, Jr. sure loved his soaps, lol.  He was on GH, LOL and OLTL.

 

Years ago, I read in the AW anniversary book that Judy Garland was a fan of the show, and even recognized Constance Ford (Ada) during one of her concerts.  Too bad they never got Judy to make a cameo, though.

Edited February 17, 20196 yr by Khan

Usher on B&B in 1998.

Bob Barker on B&B in 2002 and 2014.

Edited February 17, 20196 yr by kalbir

Early in Christopher Goutman's reign (of terror) as ATWT's EP, he had some rap/hip-hop group appear on the show.  I can't remember the group's name, just four or five guys, all sitting in chairs, rapping (or trying to) and singing (or trying to) and looking morose about appearing on some stupid soap opera.

 

Am I wrong, or didn't Mary J. Blige appear on OLTL along with Snoop?  Oh, and Ashford & Simpson were on OL as well, at the height of "Solid"-mania.

Edited February 17, 20196 yr by Khan

8 hours ago, amybrickwallace said:

 

I never knew they appeared on a soap. 

Yeah, I believe it was Viki's highschool reunion because I seem to recall Viki & Clint being there. The song had just come out. Mike Love mentioned that the appearance on the show helped to raise the song's visibility. John Stamos may have even been with them on drums at the time, I don't remember. I know I taped it at the time but don't know if I still have it.
 

I could be wrong, but is John Stamos the only ex-soap actor to go on to play himself on his former soap? And then, just to make things even more confusing, Scotty refers to "Blackie on General Hospital."