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Oscar nominated actor Tom Berenger earlier appeared in US soap 'One Life to Live'. HIs luckless character, Tom Siegel fell in love with a nun and died after falling down some stairs.

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Another Hollywood box office hit, Tommy Lee Jones, also appeared in 'One Life to Live'. His character, Mark Toland, was involved in blackmail, affairs and was wanted for murder. In all, Jones spent four years on the soap.

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An early acting job for Kevin Kline was as the character, Woody Reed in the US soap, Search For Tomorrow.

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Broadway and West End singing sensation Elaine Paige served her apprenticeship in UK soap Crossroads. She had a small part as Caroline Winthrop in the late sixties.

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The 'Three Men & a Baby' star, Tom Selleck was once better known as Jed Andrews in US soap, The Young & The Restless.

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Clockwork Orange star, Malcolm McDowell is another Crossroads refugee having played the role of Crispin Ryder in the popular UK soap.

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The star of Ghandi played Ron Jenkins in UK soap Coronation Street before hitting the big time.


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Before wearing underpants the wrong way round made him a household name, the Superman superstar got another famous record. He became the first person to be called a Bastard on US daytime TV, playing love cheat Ben Harper in 'Love of Life'.

I think the last two are referring to Ben Kingsley and Christopher Reeves, respectively, as the names were left out. So many big names in Hollywood indeed got their starts on soap operas. :)