50 Greatest Soap Opera Actresses 50-41

[Zoneboy]

Late in 2009, We Love Soaps pulled together a panel of 14 soap opera journalists and critics to come up with a list of the 50 Greatest Soap Actresses of All Time list. Below is the complete list from 1to 50 which includes actresses from a 70 year span dating back to radio soap operas. On Wednesday, look for the equally impressive honorable mention list of actresses that appeared on multiple panelist's list.

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NAME: Jacklyn Zeman
RANK: 50
SOAP ROLES: Bobbie Spencer, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1977-present); Lana McClain, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1976-1977); Bobbi, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1976)

NAME: Suzanne Rogers
RANK: 49
SOAP ROLES: Maggie Horton, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1973-present)

NAME: Mary Beth Evans
RANK: 48
SOAP ROLES: Kayla Brady, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1986-1992, 2006-2009); Katherine Bell, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1993-1999); Sierra Esteban, AS THE WORLD TURNS (2000-2005); Dakota "Koty" Lane, RITUALS (1984-1985); CAPITOL


NAME: Heather Tom
RANK: 47
SOAP ROLES: Katie Logan, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2007-present); Kelly Cramer, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2003-2006); Kelly Cramer, ALL MY CHILDREN (2004); Victoria Newman, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1991-2003)

NAME: Helen Wagner
RANK: 46
SOAP ROLES: Nancy Hughes, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1956-present); Trudy, VALIANT LADY (1953-1952); Trudy Bauer, THE GUIDING LIGHT (1952)

NAME: Nancy Addison
RANK: 45
SOAP ROLES: Deborah Brewster Alden, THE CITY (1995); Deborah Brewster Alden, LOVING (1993-1995); Marissa Rampal, ALL MY CHILDREN (1989); Jillian Coleridge, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1989); Kit Vested, THE GUIDING LIGHT (1970-1974)


NAME: Vanessa Marcil
RANK: 44
SOAP ROLES: Brenda Barrett,GENERAL HOSPITAL (1992-1998, 2002-2003); Josie Scotto, LIPSTICK JUNGLE (2008); Gina Kincaid, BEVERLY HILLS, 90210 (1998-2000)


NAME: Denise Alexander
RANK: 43
SOAP ROLES: Lesley Webber, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1973-1984, 1996-present off and on); Sister Beatrice, SUNSET BEACH (1997-1998); Mary McKinnon, ANOTHER WORLD (1986-1989); Susan Hunter, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1966-1973); Emily Sanders, BEN JERROD (1963-1964); Lois Adams, THE CLEAR HORIZON (1960-1962)


NAME: Sharon Gabet
RANK: 42
SOAP ROLES: Melinda Cramer, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1987-1989); Brittany Peterson, ANOTHER WORLD (1985-1987); Raven Alexander, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1977-1984)


NAME: Louise Sorel
RANK: 41
SOAP ROLES: Vivian Alamain, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1992-2000; 2009-present); Dort, PASSIONS (2004); Judge Kay Campobello, ALL MY CHILDREN 2001); Donatella Stewart, PORT CHARLES (2000); Judith Sanders, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1986-1987); Augusta Lockridge, SANTA BARBARA (1984-1986; 1988-1991)

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NAME: Melody Thomas Scott
RANK: 40
SOAP ROLES: Nikki Newman, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1979-present)


NAME: Patrica Pease
RANK: 39
SOAP ROLES: Kimberly Brady, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1984-1990, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1996, 2002, 2003, 2008); Patricia Fennell, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1996); Cissie Mitchell, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1979-1982)

NAME: Kate Mulgrew
RANK: 38
SOAP ROLES: Mary Ryan Fenelli, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1977, 1983, 1986, 1989); Garnet McGee, DALLAS (1978)

NAME: Susan Seaforth Hayes
RANK: 37
SOAP ROLES: Julie Willams, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1968-1984, 1990-1993, 1994, 1996, 1999-present); Joanna Manning, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1986-1989, 2005, 2006); Joanna Manning, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2003); Patricia Steele, SUNSET BEACH (1999); Carol West, THE YOUNG MARRIEDS (1965-1966); Dorothy Bradley, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1963)


NAME: Sarah Felder
RANK: 36
SOAP ROLES: Siobhan Ryan, RYAN'S HOPE (1978-1980)


NAME: Victoria Rowell
RANK: 35
SOAP ROLES: Drucilla Barber Winters, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1990-1998, 2000, 2002-2007); Nella Franklin, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1988)



NAME: Anne Heche
RANK: 34
SOAP ROLES: Vicky/Marley Hudson, ANOTHER WORLD (1987-1991)



NAME: Cynthia Watros
RANK: 33
SOAP ROLES: Annie Dutton, GUIDING LIGHT (1994-1998); Vicky Hudson, ANOTHER WORLD (1998)


NAME: Julia Barr
RANK: 32
SOAP ROLES: Brooke English, ALL MY CHILDREN (1976-1981, 1982-2006, 2010-present); Brooke English, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2005); Serena 'Reenie' Szabo, RYAN'S HOPE (1976)



NAME: Lisa Brown
RANK: 31
SOAP ROLES: Nola Reardon Chamberlain, GUIDING LIGHT (1980-1985, 1995-1998, 2009); Iva Snyder, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1985-1994, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2003); Carolyn, LOVING (1995)

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NAME: Victoria Wyndham
RANK: 30
SOAP ROLES: Rachel Cory, ANOTHER WORLD (1972-1999); Charlotte Waring (1967-1970)


NAME: Maura West
RANK: 29
SOAP ROLES: Carly Tenney, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1995-1996, 1997-present)


NAME: Mary Kay Adams
RANK: 28
SOAP ROLES: India von Halkein, GUIDING LIGHT (1984-1987, 1990-1991, 1998-1999, 2002, 2005); Diane Lacey, ALL MY CHILDREN (2003); Neal Alcott, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1992-1993); Death, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1992)


NAME: Eileen Davidson
RANK: 27
SOAP ROLES: Ashley Abbott, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1982-1989, 1999-2007, 2008-present ); Ashley Abbott, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2007-2008); Kristen Blake, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1993-1998); Susan Banks, DAYS OF OUR LVIES (1996-1998); Sister Mary Moira Banks, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1997-1998); Thomas Banks, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1997); Penelope Kent, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1998); Kelly Capwell, SANTA BARBARA (1991-1993)


NAME: Marcy Walker
RANK: 26
SOAP ROLES: Liza Colby, ALL MY CHILDREN (1981-1984, 1995-2005); Eden Capwell, SANTA BARBARA (1984-1991); Tangie Hill, GUIDING LIGHT (1993-1995)



NAME: Deidre Hall
RANK: 25
SOAP ROLES: Marlena Evans, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1976-1987, 1991-2009); Barbara Anderson, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1973)



NAME: Jess Walton
RANK: 24
SOAP ROLES: Jill Abbott, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1987-present); Kelly Harper, CAPITOL (1984-1987)


NAME: Constance Ford
RANK: 23
SOAP ROLES: Ada Hobson, ANOTHER WORLD (1967-1992); Eve Morris, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1964-1965); Rose Peabody, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1955-1956); THE WAY OF THE WORLD (1955); Lynn Sherwood, WOMAN WITH A PAST (1954)


NAME: Charita Bauer
RANK: 22
SOAP ROLES: Bert Bauer, GUIDING LIGHT (1950-1985); TO HAVE AND TO HOLD (1975-1976); Sarah, ROSE OF MY DREAMS; Fran Cummings, SECOND HUSBAND (1945); YOUNG WIDDER BROWN (1945); Judy, DAVID HARUM (1942); FRONT PAGE FARRELL; Gail Carver Macdonald, LORA LAWTON; ORPHANS OF DIVORCE; Lanette, OUR GAL SUNDAY; Susan Wakefield, THE RIGHT TO HAPPINESS; STELLA DALLAS



NAME: Ilene Kristen
RANK: 21
SOAP ROLES: Roxanne "Roxy" Balsom, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (2001-present); Madeline Thompson, ANOTHER WORLD (1995); Norma Gilpin, LOVING (1990-1991); Georgina Whitman, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1982); Delia Reid, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1978, 1982-1983, 1986-1989)

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NAME: Susan Lucci
RANK: 20
SOAP ROLES: Erica Kane, ALL MY CHILDREN (1970-present); Hillary Taylor, DALLAS (1990-1991); LOVE IS A MANY SPLENDORED THING (1967)

NAME: Nancy Lee Grahn
RANK: 19
SOAP ROLES: Alexis Davis, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1996-present); Denise Fielding, MELROSE PLACE (1997); Julia Wainwright Capwell, SANTA BARBARA (1985-1993); Beverly Wilkes, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1980-1982)

NAME: Maureen Garrett
RANK: 18
SOAP ROLES: Holly Norris, GUIDING LIGHT (1976-1981, 1988-2006, 2009); Elizabeth Jane "E.J." Ryan, RYAN'S HOPE (1981-1982)

NAME: Michelle Stafford
RANK: 17
SOAP ROLES: Phyllis Summers, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1994-1997, 2000-present); Joanna Hadley, PACIFIC PALISADES (1997); Frankie, TRIBES (1990)



NAME: Genie Francis
RANK: 16
SOAP ROLES: Laura Webber Spencer, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1976-1982, 1983-1985, 1993-2002, 2006); Ceara Connor, ALL MY CHILDREN (1990-1992); Ceara Connor, LOVING (1991); Diana Colville, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1987-1989)




NAME: Elizabeth Hubbard
RANK: 15
SOAP ROLES: Lucinda Walsh, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1984-1999, 1999-present); Sair Poindexter, GOEDE TIJDEN SLECHTE TIJDEN (2009-PRESSENT); Estelle Chadwick, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1983-1984); Althea Davis, THE DOCTORS (1964-1969, 1970-1977, 1981-1982); Carol Kramer, THE EDGE OF NIGHT (1963); Anne Benedict Fletcher, THE GUIDING LIGHT (1962)


NAME: Linda Dano
RANK: 14
SOAP ROLES: Lena Kendall, GUIDING LIGHT (2005); Gretel Rae Cummings (1978-1980, 1999-2004); Rae Cummings, GENERAL HOSPITAL (2000); Rae Cummings, PORT CHARLES (2000); Rae Cummings, ALL MY CHILDREN (1999-2000); Felicia Gallant, ANOTHER WORLD (1983-1999); Cynthia Haines, AS THE WORLD TURNS (1981-1982); Airline Clerk, ANOTHER WORLD (1976)



NAME: Mary Stuart
RANK: 13
SOAP ROLES: Meta Bauer, GUIDING LIGHT (1996-2002); Claire Webber, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1998); Joanne Gardner, SEARCH FOR TOMORROW (1951-1986); THE FIRST HUNDRED YEARS (1950-1951)



NAME: Jane Elliot
RANK: 12
SOAP ROLES: Tracy Quartermaine, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1978-1980, 1989-1993,1996, 2003-present); Tracy Quartermaine, THE CITY (1996-1997); Anjelica Deveraux, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1987-1989), Cynthia Preston, ALL MY CHILDREN (1984-1986), Carrie Marler, GUIDING LIGHT (1981-1982); Judy, KNOTS LANDING, (1980-1981); Madge Sinclair, A NEW DAY IN EDEN (1982); Linda Skerba, A FLAME IN THE WIND (1965)



NAME: Debbi Morgan
RANK: 11
SOAP ROLES: Angie Baxter Hubbard, ALL MY CHILDREN (1982-1990, 2008-present); Jennifer Tartaro, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2006-2007); Ellen Burgess, PORT CHARLES (1997-1998); Angie Hubbard, THE CITY (1995-1997); Angie Hubbard, LOVING (1993-1995); Chantal Marshall, GENERATIONS (1990-1991)

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NAME: Helen Gallagher
RANK: 10
SOAP ROLES: Maude Boylan, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1997-1998); Nurse Harris, ALL MY CHILDREN (1994); Hannah Tuttle, ANOTHER WORLD (1989); Maeve Ryan, RYAN'S HOPE (1975-1989)


NAME: Sarah Brown
RANK: 9
SOAP ROLES: Sandy Sommers, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2009-present); Claudia Zacchara, GENERAL HOSPITAL (2008-2009); Julisa Larrabee, AS THE WORLD TURNS (2004-2005); Carly Benson Corinthos, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1996-2001)


NAME: Crystal Chappell
RANK: 8
SOAP ROLES: Carly Manning, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1990-1993, 2009-present); Gina Brogno, VENICE (2009-present); Olivia Spencer, GUIDING LIGHT (1999-2009); Maggie Carpenter, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1995-1997); Jane, SANTA BARBARA (1990); Janie, ALL MY CHILDREN (1989)


NAME: Jeanne Cooper
RANK: 7
SOAP ROLES: Katherine Chancellor, THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS (1973-present); Wedding Guest, GUIDING LIGHT (2009); Katherine Chancellor, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (2005)


NAME: Judith Light
RANK: 6
SOAP ROLES: Claire Meade, UGLY BETTY (2006-present); Karen Wolek, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1977-1983)


NAME: Robin Strasser
RANK: 5
SOAP ROLES: Dorian Lord, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1979-1987, 1993-2000, 2003-present); PASSIONS (Hecuba, 2000-01; 2002), Dianne Kirkwood, KNOTS LANDING (1990); Christina Karras Martin (1976-1979); Rachel Davis, SOMERSET (1970); Rachel Davis, ANOTHER WORLD (1967-1971, 1972)



NAME: Beverlee McKinsey
RANK: 4
SOAP ROLES: Myrna Slaughter, GENERAL HOSPITAL (1994) Alexandra Spaulding (1984-1992); Iris Cory, TEXAS (1980-1981) Iris Cory, ANOTHER WORLD (1972-1980); Emma Frame Ordway, ANOTHER WORLD (1972); Julie Richards, LOVE IS A SMANY SPLENDORED THING (1970-1971)

NAME: Erika Slezak
RANK: 3
SOAP ROLES: Victoria Lord, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1971-present)


NAME: Kim Zimmer
RANK: 2
SOAP ROLES: Reva Shayne, GUIDING LIGHT (1983-1990, 1995-2009); Joan, MODELS INC (1994-1995); Jodie DeWitt Walker, SANTA BARBARA (1992-1993); Echo DiSavoy, ONE LIFE TO LIVE (1983); Nola Dancy Aldrich, THE DOCTORS (1979-1982); Bonnie Harmon, ONE LIVE TO LIVE (1978)



NAME: Susan Flannery
RANK: 1
SOAP ROLES: Stephanie Forrester, THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL (1987-present); Leslie Stewart, DALLAS (1981); Laura Horton, DAYS OF OUR LIVES (1966-1975)

[80sTrivia]

Cool list... such an amazing amount of actresses to select from!

[MickeyMac]

^


I concur a great list.

[Marvo301]

It's a shame they didn't find a place on the list for the late Frances Reid. She should at least have been recognized for her longevity in the same role. (45 years as Alice Horton)

[dakert]

Sharon Gabet will always be #1 with me. I still love you Raven

[catlover79]

I can't argue with any of them! Great picks. I would also add the late Sherry Mathis, who played Liza Walton Sentell on Search For Tomorrow from 1978-85. She rocked!!

[80sTrivia]

One big oversight: Leaving out Eileen Fulton, Lisa from As The World Turns! She was the soap world's first vixen and has been on the show for fifty years! Kathryn Hayes (Kim Hughes) from ATWT should have made the list, too, as well as Lisa Peluso (Wendy/Search for Tomorrow, Ava/Loving, Lila/Another World. Also, Lauren Koslow (Kate/Days of Our Lives, Margo Lynley/The Bold & The Beautiful, Lindsay Wells/The Young & The Restless is another good candidate.

[JoPol_wannabe]

I like the list but I am very suprised that Martha Byrne who played Lily on ATWT didn't make the list. Martha played Lily Walsh-Snyder from 1985-2008 and she was the best Lily by far.

[Dr. Jazz]

That's a good list and they are all great actresses but I'm pretty sure Eileen Fulton, Ruth Warrick, Ellen Holly and a few others definately belong in the Top 50 and Beverlee McKinsey should be #1 imo

[SueAnn_Rose]

Nice list, I agree with it and think Susan Flannery was a great choice for number one.