10 Famous Actors Who Started In Soap Operas, And You Had No Idea

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar, recognized for her iconic role in the TV series Buffy the Vampire Slayer, got her start in the acting world on a soap opera. She played Kendall Hart, the long-lost daughter of one of the main characters on All My Children, from 1993 to 1995. Gellar's performance was lauded, even earning her a Daytime Emmy Award in 1995. Interestingly, before making her move to television series, Gellar also appeared in the small-scale film High Stakes in 1989.

Brad Pitt

Imagine, if you can, the heartthrob Brad Pitt making his first baby steps in the acting world, well before his rise to stardom with films like Fight Club and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. He first made his mark in the world of soap operas.

You might be surprised to hear this, but Pitt had a stint in 1987 on the popular soap opera Another World, playing the character Chris. However, his appearance was relatively brief, only a couple of episodes. Interestingly enough, Pitt's first ever film role was uncredited, as a partygoer in the 1987 film No Way Out.

Demi Moore

Before Demi Moore became a household name in Hollywood, bagging roles in high-grossing films like Ghost and G.I. Jane, she was a soap opera star. Moore got her start on the small screen in the early '80s, landing a recurring role on General Hospital as Jackie Templeton. The show served as a launching pad for her career, and it wasn't long before she transitioned to feature films: Moore's first major film role came in 1984's Blame it on Rio.

Julianne Moore

It's fascinating to think that Julianne Moore, an Oscar-winning actress who has received widespread acclaim for her roles in movies like Still Alice and Far From Heaven, started her career in the world of soap operas. Moore spent the early part of her career on As the World Turns, where she played dual roles as half-sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes, showcasing her versatility as an actress.

This stint earned her a Daytime Emmy Award in 1988, hinting at the successful career that lay ahead. Moore made a return to her soap opera roots in 2010 for the show's final season, much to the delight of long-time fans.

Alec Baldwin

Yes, that's right, even Alec Baldwin, renowned for his roles in films like The Departed and his hilarious impersonation of Donald Trump on Saturday Night Live, began his career in the soap opera world. He got his start on The Doctors in the early '80s, playing the character Billy Aldrich. His time on the show allowed him to develop his acting skills before transitioning to prime-time TV and eventually to the big screen. Baldwin's first significant film role came in 1988 with Beetlejuice, and he hasn't looked back since.

Meg Ryan

Meg Ryan, America's sweetheart and star of romantic comedies like Sleepless in Seattle and You've Got Mail, began her acting journey in soap operas, too. She landed a role in As the World Turns in 1982, where she played Betsy Stewart for nearly two years. This role proved to be a stepping stone for Ryan, who quickly made the transition to film and soon became one of Hollywood's leading ladies. Before she made it big, Ryan had a brief appearance in the 1981 film Rich and Famous, marking her film debut.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Can you believe it, that our very own Jack Dawson, the master performer who enthralled us with his roles in Titanic, Inception, and The Revenant, once graced the small screen in a soap opera? That's right. Leonardo DiCaprio, the Oscar-winning actor, took his first acting steps in the daytime soap Santa Barbara, playing the young Mason Capwell for a few episodes in 1990.

It was a humble start for the superstar who would later be renowned for his profound performances and high-grossing films. Interestingly enough, DiCaprio's foray into film was pretty fast, with him landing a role in the horror-comedy Critters 3 that same year.

Morgan Freeman

Morgan Freeman, with his unmistakable soothing voice and impressive acting skills, has won the hearts of audiences worldwide with memorable performances in films like Shawshank Redemption and Million Dollar Baby. However, did you know that this powerhouse performer got his start in soap operas?

Freeman spent two years on the soap Another World, playing the character Dr. Roy Bingham in the early '80s. His journey to the big screen was not instantaneous though, as he first transitioned to theater and then to film, marking his significant film debut in Brubaker in 1980.

Tommy Lee Jones

Tommy Lee Jones, the actor best known for his roles in No Country for Old Men and The Fugitive, had his roots in the world of soap operas. Yes, you heard that right! Before he made his name in Hollywood, Jones had a stint on the soap One Life to Live where he played Dr. Mark Toland from 1971 to 1975. His jump to the big screen was marked by the film Love Story in 1970, where he played a supporting role while still maintaining his character on the soap opera.

Ryan Phillippe

Ryan Phillippe is the actor best known for his roles in Cruel Intentions and I Know What You Did Last Summer. Like many others on this list, Phillippe's first taste of acting came through a soap opera. He starred in One Life to Live, playing the character Billy Douglas from 1992 to 1993.

His role on the show, which involved playing one of the first openly gay teenagers on American television, was groundbreaking at the time and served as a stepping stone for his later Hollywood career. It's worth noting that Phillippe made his film debut in 1995 with the movie Crimson Tide, only a couple of years after his soap opera stint.