https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/popular-soap-opera-actors-who-dont-act-anymore/

12. Erik von Detten
Rewinding through the Days of Our Lives (DOOL) history vault, fans may remember a young Erik von Detten playing Nicholas Alamain as a child. Erik would move on to be the voice of “Sid” the villain kid who liked to torture toys in Disney’s animated smash, Toy Story, and after that, faded from the acting scene. Interestingly enough, while he is absent from the social media scene, his wife Angela posted an Instagram photo in May 2019 announcing the birth of their baby. Seems like he may be busy with more important personal projects!

11. Ricky Paull Goldin
Staring in a plethora of soap operas from 1991 to 2013, including Another World, Young and the Restless, Guiding Light, as well as the Bold and the Beautiful (B&B), Goldin has stepped away from the daytime spotlight for years now. Living with his partner Gretta Monahan, a TV fashion personality, the two enjoy a quiet life in Massachusetts, raising their two children, and focusing on family.

10. Matthew Borlenghi
Known for his roles on All My Children and The Bold and the Beautiful, soap actor Matthew Borlenghi opted for a “regular” life after his stint with the B&B came to a close. During a 2018 interview, he relayed living a quieter life, with three young kids to focus on, as well as a “regular” job in home improvements. He also works for the Gray Studios acting school, leading the Atlanta chapter.

9. Rick Hearst
From Days to the Y&R, GH, Guiding Light and more, Rick Hearst has seen it all and done it all in the land of soaps. While his last daytime stint was in the land of Port Charles, circa 2016, he currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia where he owns and operates a restaurant known as “Nonna’s Family Kitchen” and helps former GH colleague Natalia Livingston (Emily Quartermaine) with her acting studio.

8. Ricky Martin
Better known as the mega singer of the smash hit, “Livin’ La Vida Loca”, Ricky Martin has understandably left his acting career to pursue music. For those that may remember, Ricky started his career in the 1990s mega boy band Menudo and debuted on GH in 1994 as Miguel Morez. If he’s not focusing on his music career and charity work, Martin is spending quality time with his partner Jwan Yosef, and their four children.

7. Ronn Moss
Speaking of leaving the soaps for a music career, Ronn Moss once enjoyed life as a daytime drama actor playing Ridge Forrester on the B&B. Moss would exit the show in 2012 to pursue a singing career. One of his hit songs was “My Baby’s Back.” Do fans miss him on B&B? Sure! But it seems like he’s living his best rock star life, doing what he loves to do most, singing.

6. Peter Reckell
It’s been years since Bo Brady left the land of Days, and fans still miss the magic actor Peter Reckell brought to the soap opera. Since exiting the show in late 2015, Reckell enjoys spending time with his family, and he also performed in the hit musical The Fantasticks in 2016.

5. John Driscoll
Starting his career off as a model for Versace and Armani, Driscoll broke into the acting world with roles in Young Americans and the popular teen show Dawson’s Creek. Still, most fans out there know him from his soap opera roles, including Henry “Coop” Bradshaw from Guiding Light and Chance Chancellor on The Young and the Restless (Y&R). The Chance character returned to the Army in May 2011 and in real-life, Driscoll joined the Army in 2012 to follow in his dad’s footsteps.

4. Stuart Damon
GH fans were devastated by the passing of Alan Quartermaine, a veteran of the show and a fan favorite. Playing the role of Quartermaine since 1977, the only silver lining was that he did have (very) sporadic appearances on the soap playing Alan’s ghost and visiting his sister and wife years after his passing. However, Damon has not been on the show since 2013 when he returned to celebrate the soap’s 50th Anniversary. An accomplished actor, Damon appeared on Broadway and was also well known for his role in the cult classic The Champions. In 1999, Damon won a Daytime Emmy for his iconic GH role.

3. Michael Muhney
Audiences have not seen Michael Muhney since his tumultuous departure from the Y&R in 2014. The talented actor really could jump into any daytime or prime-time role, but if you check out his Twitter account, he seems quite content with doing charity events, keeping in shape, and spending much-needed time with his young children.

2. John Reilly
At the age of 84, accomplished actor John Reilly has done a lot in his career. He’s been in films like What’s Eating Gilbert Grape and Touch and Go. He’s appeared on prime time shows like Cagney and Lacey, Beverly Hills 90210, and Silver Spoons. He’s also won the hearts of many soap opera fans over the years with roles in As The World Turns and Days of Our Lives. Still, he may be best known for his soap characters on GH and Passions. He played Sean Donely from 1984 to 1995, and while Anna Devane and Robert Scorpio remain on the soap, their BFF Sean was (for the most part) has always been busy doing other things. The last time the actor was seen on daytime screens was in 2013, reprising the Donely role for GH’s 50th Anniversary.

1. Anthony Geary
Anthony Geary bid adieu to GH in 2017, with plans of re-establishing himself in Holland and having some downtime. Originating the legendary Luke Spencer role in 1978, not only has Geary broken Daytime Emmy records (eight statues in total), he and sidekick Laura took the soap opera world by storm and shattered ratings when they got married in 1981. Needless to say, he is quite missed, and it shows in the fact that while Luke is not physically in Port Charles, his name still consistently gets dropped, and returns are constantly being teased in storylines.

See also:
Popular Soap Opera Actresses Who Don’t Act Anymore (https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/popular-soap-opera-actresses-who-dont-act-anymore/)

I'm surprise Susan Lucci didn't make the actress list. She made a household name as the actress who had to wait 19 Emmy nominations to finally win one for her "acting" :lol:

That’s because Susan still acts.

Julia Barr.

That’s because Susan still acts.

Susan hasn't appeared in anything since 2017 when she guest starred on a show called Difficult People. The only recent thing I saw her in was from Kelly Ripa's talk show when she did a short spoof of AMC and that was a while ago. Susan Lucci has faded into the background over the years. She's forgotten now without AMC.

Justin Deas hasn't appeared in much since Guiding Light went off the air in 2009. I know he's done some small, independent projects. I also believe he underwent some kind of hip surgery not long after GL went off the air.

This list could be one hundred pages long. There are far fewer soaps now than there used to be, and many of those performers weren’t able to get other acting jobs.

This list could be one hundred pages long. There are far fewer soaps now than there used to be, and many of those performers weren’t able to get other acting jobs.

Some left acting or retired all together. Some also didn't make the move from New York to Los Angeles either. Justin Deas (who I mentioned earlier) is still in New York, where his wife (Margaret Colin) has appeared both on and off Broadway in the past several years. Scott Holmes (ex-Tom, ATWT) retired from acting all together and is living in the southeast part of the country. Beth Ehlers (ex-Harley, GL) left acting, went back to school, and is now working for the State of New Jersey in some capacity.

Susan hasn't appeared in anything since 2017 when she guest starred on a show called Difficult People. The only recent thing I saw her in was from Kelly Ripa's talk show when she did a short spoof of AMC and that was a while ago. Susan Lucci has faded into the background over the years. She's forgotten now without AMC.

Susan Lucci is far from forgotten! :mad: And she still looks amazing too!

Ed.

Ronn Moss was a member of a band called Player who actually had a couple of American top 40 hits (Most memorably Baby Come Back) years before The Bold And The Beautiful was ever on the air, so he was a musician before he was ever a soap opera actor.

Ed.

Ronn Moss was a member of a band called Player who actually had a couple of American top 40 hits (Most memorably Baby Come Back) years before The Bold And The Beautiful was ever on the air, so he was a musician before he was ever a soap opera actor.

Ed.

I remember that.

Susan hasn't appeared in anything since 2017 when she guest starred on a show called Difficult People. The only recent thing I saw her in was from Kelly Ripa's talk show when she did a short spoof of AMC and that was a while ago. Susan Lucci has faded into the background over the years. She's forgotten now without AMC.

I don't know if I would say Susan Lucci is "forgotten" exactly. She's arguably, the most famous, iconic American daytime soap opera performer of all time. Plus, she's in her 70s and has had health issues (she almost died from a widowmaker heart attack (https://www.prevention.com/health/health-conditions/a28659003/susan-lucci-widowmaker-heart-attack-symptoms/) several years back) recently. So you could forgive her a bit if she "faded into the background".

Some left acting or retired all together. Some also didn't make the move from New York to Los Angeles either. Justin Deas (who I mentioned earlier) is still in New York, where his wife (Margaret Colin) has appeared both on and off Broadway in the past several years. Scott Holmes (ex-Tom, ATWT) retired from acting all together and is living in the southeast part of the country. Beth Ehlers (ex-Harley, GL) left acting, went back to school, and is now working for the State of New Jersey in some capacity.

I've read about the discussion for why many soap opera actors don't go further (i.e. land a prime time show or motion pictures). These are some of the key reasons that have been brought up (https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-actors-and-actresses-who-star-in-soap-operas-get-opportunities-to-star-in-big-films-and-acting-roles-Is-this-because-of-their-skill-as-an-actor/answer/Jon-Mixon-1), so take it as you will:

They never get their big break - Myriad actors audition for roles that someone else gets and makes them famous. Many soap actors never got that role and they either remained where they were or they left the business.
Some didn’t want to leave New York - Until the 2000s, most soap operas were filmed in the New York City region. To become a movie star in Hollywood, you need to live in the Los Angeles area or at least Southern California until you “hit”. Many actors would not make the move and they lost out on the opportunity to do become bigger stars.
They lacked drive - What many people forget is that you need to WANT to be a movie star and that takes drive and determination. If you have neither, then you’ll never rise beyond a certain level and many people never did.
Substance abuses issues - Cocaine was a huge problem in the New York acting world and a number of potential film stars instead became drug addicts, or earned reputations of being unreliable due to their drug use. They never advanced further than soap operas, if they retained even those roles.
There aren’t many roles in Hollywood - When you look at Hollywood films in any appreciable quantities, it quickly becomes clear that most star many of the same people simply acting in different roles. There are perhaps 100 people in total who headline films, with another 250–500 who regularly appear in at least one major film project per year. There often wasn’t enough “room” for most soap actors and so the majority were “left out”.


Soap actors also in all likelihood, get typecast if they stick around in that type of role for more than three years. They are therefore, stuck with that stigma when casting directors see it on their resume. I don't know if it all boils down to "overexposure". What I mean is that you're on a show, playing the same character five days a week for virtually the entire year as oppose to being on once a week for a maximum of 24-26 weeks a year.

In fairness, a contrary opinion (https://www.quora.com/Why-dont-actors-and-actresses-who-star-in-soap-operas-get-opportunities-to-star-in-big-films-and-acting-roles-Is-this-because-of-their-skill-as-an-actor/answer/Carlet-Langford) could be that it isn't necessarily just because of lack of opportunities or talent, soap opera actors like where they are at because soap opera work is very steady and the schedule is predictable. Compare that to trying to establish a movie career, which is presumably harder to sustain one over decades.

Some left acting or retired all together. Some also didn't make the move from New York to Los Angeles either. Justin Deas (who I mentioned earlier) is still in New York, where his wife (Margaret Colin) has appeared both on and off Broadway in the past several years. Scott Holmes (ex-Tom, ATWT) retired from acting all together and is living in the southeast part of the country. Beth Ehlers (ex-Harley, GL) left acting, went back to school, and is now working for the State of New Jersey in some capacity.

I suspect that they get burned out. Soap opera acting is a lot harder than you would imagine. There's little to no rehearsal and I think that you're asked to memorize at least 60 pages of dialogue. I heard Eric Braeden say (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDAR9ajLL68) that he didn't want to stick around doing YR too long (he stayed in part because his wife told him to take it as a challenge), because it soap operas require learning too much dialogue. Plus, I would think that there's little else to go and build your portfolio after spending a big chunk of your life on a soap.

I suspect that they get burned out. Soap opera acting is a lot harder than you would imagine. There's little to no rehearsal and I think that you're asked to memorize at least 60 pages of dialogue. I heard Eric Braeden say (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wDAR9ajLL68) that he didn't want to stick around doing YR too long (he stayed in part because his wife told him to take it as a challenge), because it soap operas require learning too much dialogue. Plus, I would think that there's little else to go and build your portfolio after spending a big chunk of your life on a soap.

Margaret Colin (ex-Margo, ATWT) mentioned about the pages of dialogue and little to no rehearsal in an interview she did on The Build Series out of New York when she was on both VEEP and Shades of Blue (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PK8zOzOgRaA&ab_channel=BUILDSeries) It's towards the end of the interview.

Sad that John Reilly (Number 2 on the list) just recently passed away.

I would say once all the soaps left New York and dwindled down to the Final Four, many actors saw the writing on the wall and began to search for alternative means of support.

Sad that John Reilly (Number 2 on the list) just recently passed away.

I would say once all the soaps left New York and dwindled down to the Final Four, many actors saw the writing on the wall and began to search for alternative means of support.


I saw that about John Reilly.

I know that Kelley Menighan (ex-Emily, ATWT) is living in the Chicago area and working at her family's business. Scott DeFreitas (ex-Andy, ATWT/Mr. Maura West) has basically been a stay-at-home dad since they moved out to California. I also believed he worked in real estate for a time after he left ATWT.

Fiona Hutchison (ex-Jenna, GL; ex-Gabrielle, OLTL) is teaching out in New York. Beth Ehlers (ex-Harley, GL) is working for the State of New Jersey.

I've been watching almost all of Alan Locher's soap reunion specials on YouTube. Alan worked in PR for both Guiding Light and As the World Turns for many years.

I was watching one yesterday with Ryan's Hope actors. Louise Shaffer who starred on The Edge of Night, Ryan's Hope, Search for Tomorrow and All My Children, has written seven bestselling novels and has left acting entirely!

Martha Byrne (Lily, Rose, As the World Turns) mainly writes, produces and directs now. Katharine Hays (Kim, ATWT) has retired from acting and lives on a farm in Illinois now. Don Hastings (Bob Hughes) has retired now as well. Playing Dr. Bob for 54 years, he deserves to retire!

The one and only Eileen Fulton (Lisa, ATWT) has retired from acting and performing her cabaret act and lives in Asheville, North Carolina, where she was born. I've heard she is writing a third memoir. Elizabeth Hubbard (Lucinda) is in semi-retirement as well.

Victoria Wyndham (Rachel, Another World) has apparently retired from acting. She's only made sporadic television appearances and I've heard she does local theatre from time to time.

Really, this thread could go on forever!

I know when Staci Greason (ex-Isabella, DAYS) left DAYS in late 1992, she also left acting all together. She's made some appearances as Isabella's ghost over the years, but she's been writing mostly.

Marcy Walker hasn’t done nothing since leaving AMC in 2004.

Sad that John Reilly (Number 2 on the list) just recently passed away.

I would say once all the soaps left New York and dwindled down to the Final Four, many actors saw the writing on the wall and began to search for alternative means of support.

The late John Reilly basically retired from acting after his last GH appearance, according to a recent article on his daughter, Tik Tok superstar Caitlin Reilly (who will be playing Annie Donely on the tribute episode of GH that is going to air tomorrow, 5/21.)

Sharon Wyatt (ex-Tiffany) hasn't been on TV since her last known appearance as Tiffany on GH's Night Shift back in 2008. She has been living in Tennessee for about 20 some years now. She also has had to have some major jaw reconstructions surgery about 10 years ago as a result of taking medication for osteoporosis in her back.

Kimberly McCollough (ex Robin, GH) basically retired from acting and has been working behind the scenes as a director. However, she did make an appearance on the May 21st episode of GH in tribute to John Reilly/Sean Donely. Sharon Wyatt (ex-Tiffany) also made an appearance by voice/phone only when Tiffany was talking with Laura at the beginning and then with Annie towards the end.

Anthony Geary (ex-Luke) has basically been living in Amsterdam now for quite a while.

Wow, looking at that Nonna's Family Restaurant on Facebook which has a few clips of Rick Hearst taking to the camera I have to say he has aged VERY well! :)


Some didn’t want to leave New York[/B] - Until the 2000s, most soap operas were filmed in the New York City region. To become a movie star in Hollywood, you need to live in the Los Angeles area or at least Southern California until you “hit”. Many actors would not make the move and they lost out on the opportunity to do become bigger stars.


Both The Young and the Restless and The Bold and the Beautiful are filmed at CBS studios in LA, so this theory doesn't really apply to both those shows.

They never get their big break - Myriad actors audition for roles that someone else gets and makes them famous. Many soap actors never got that role and they either remained where they were or they left the business.
Some didn’t want to leave New York - Until the 2000s, most soap operas were filmed in the New York City region. To become a movie star in Hollywood, you need to live in the Los Angeles area or at least Southern California until you “hit”. Many actors would not make the move and they lost out on the opportunity to do become bigger stars.


There are some actors who appeared in soaps that have gone on and had/have good careers and are still based in New York. Julianne Moore (ex-Frannie, ATWT) has a good TV/movie career and she's still New York based, same with Margaret Colin (ex-Margo, ATWT). Margaret actually was in episodes of Chicago Med this season. I know those two are probably the exception. Some NY based actors choose to remain in NY because of families/kids, etc. There are some who will go back and forth between Los Angeles/New York (pre-COVID).

Susan Lucci is far from forgotten! :mad: And she still looks amazing too!

Ed.

Susan Lucci (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erica_Kane) is probably one (https://www.fame10.com/entertainment/most-iconic-soap-opera-characters-of-all-time/) of the very, very few soap opera (https://conversationsabouther.net/the-five-most-popular-soap-opera-stars-of-all-time-tv-news/) actors/actresses who is a genuine household name in the mainstream. What I mean is that even if you aren't regular follower of the genre you in all likelihood know who she is or heard her name. She even hosted (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2iYClGRzeM) Saturday Night Live once back in 1990 (https://www.onesnladay.com/2019/06/19/october-6-1990-susan-lucci-hothouse-flowers-s16-e2/).

Patricia Bruder (Ellen Stewart, As the World Turns) retired from acting after she was unceremoniously dropped from the show after playing Ellen for over 35 years!

Melanie Smith (ex-Emily Stewart, As the World Turns) left acting to raise her son, who is now in college. She started her own successful business and runs it full time.

Ellen Dolan (ex-Margo, As the World Turns) is mainly writing and producing now. Scott Holmes (Tom, ATWT) does regional theatre from time to time and lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Patricia Bruder (Ellen Stewart, As the World Turns) retired from acting after she was unceremoniously dropped from the show after playing Ellen for over 35 years!

Melanie Smith (ex-Emily Stewart, As the World Turns) left acting to raise her son, who is now in college. She started her own successful business and runs it full time.

Ellen Dolan (ex-Margo, As the World Turns) is mainly writing and producing now. Scott Holmes (Tom, ATWT) does regional theatre from time to time and lives in Charleston, South Carolina.

Kathyrn Hayes, Don Hastings, and Eileen Fulton have all retired from acting. I believe Eileen is living in North Carolina somewhare.

Scott did a reunion episode with Ellen on The Locher Room last year and he said he's not even doing theater any more in South Carolina.

^, Eileen is living in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, in a home with her younger brother, after selling her beautiful apartment in New York City and retiring from acting. Her ex-co-star Ellen Dolan said in a Locher Room interview that Eileen was writing on another book!

^, Eileen is living in her hometown of Asheville, North Carolina, in a home with her younger brother, after selling her beautiful apartment in New York City and retiring from acting. Her ex-co-star Ellen Dolan said in a Locher Room interview that Eileen was writing on another book!

Ellen did mention Eileen writing another book. There was also mention that she (Eileen) was facing some health issues, too.

Ellen did mention Eileen writing another book. There was also mention that she (Eileen) was facing some health issues, too.

:( I hate to hear that about her health. It seems Eileen has become somewhat of a recluse since retiring from acting and moving down to North Carolina...

:( I hate to hear that about her health. It seems Eileen has become somewhat of a recluse since retiring from acting and moving down to North Carolina...

I've heard that, too. She's not the only one, either.