How often have soap fans watched a fan favorite move from soap character to soap character, changing shows and personalities?
This is one of the primary ways soap opera viewers have learned to suspend reality over the years — and it works. However, how easy is it for a fan to truly sever the ties from an actor’s earlier character to his/her current character.
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One outstanding actor, and a perfect example of this soap phenomena, is Vincent Irizarry, currently portraying Deimos Kiriakis on Days of Our Lives. While I love his interpretation of this multi-layered character, I remember him vividly in the roles of Lujack Luvonaczek on Guiding Light and David Hayward on All My Children. It surprises me, to this day, that we haven’t seen Deimos interacting with Adrienne, played by Judi Evans–Irizarry’s romantic scene partner on Guiding Light. I still expect them to somehow have scenes together even though neither of their storylines intersect.
Vincent Irizarry with Guy Wilson
When appearing on the scene in Salem, I expected Deimos to have a similar personality to David Hayward — his most recent, previous portrayal. While they both have a very dark side, they are completely different characters. It takes a great deal of talent to break a soap fan’s pre-determined expectations and image of a character. This is possibly why actors on soaps are able to go from role to role and continue to have us willingly believe, and invest in, their new character while leaving the previous ones behind.
Another actor who seamlessly moved from one role to another was Michael E. Knight. Despite decades of portraying Tad Martin on All My Children, he was able to step into the role of Simon Neville, on The Young and the Restless, without missing a beat. Other than appearance, the two characters have virtually nothing in common, but I found it easy to accept Knight in this new role, thanks to quality talent.
Which actor(s) have you followed from soap to soap? Has it been difficult or easy to accept the actor in his/her new role? Please feel free to share examples.
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I watched Another World back in the day and I LOVED Judi Evans as Paulina Cory. My grandmother never quite adjusted (she always called her Adrianne), but I loved her. I watched GL for about a year and loved Beverly McKenzie as Alexandra, but always thought of her as Iris (her character on AW)
There are some characters that make smoother and more accepted moves than others. I’m learning that from several other soap fans. Thank you!
Were u at the Atlanta Days event??
Yes, I was.
Eric Martsolf from Ethan Crane/Winthrop to Brady Balck. Lindsey Korman Hartley from Theresa Lopez Fitzgerald to Arianna Hernandez. Galen Gering from Luis Lopez Fitzgerald to Rafe Hernandez. I loved that these three had the same relationships with each other on Days as they did on Passions!
It was fun watching them go from one soap to another and still have similar contact. Thank you for chiming in with these — it’s fun remembering those actors who went from soap to soap — some together. 🙂