There are some actors, as we “discussed” last week, who can go from soap to soap seamlessly changing characters. Viewers find it easy to watch these actors as they morph into whichever role they take on and we are almost instantaneously drawn into their new persona.
However, there is another group of extremely gifted actors who have played the same role on a soap opera for so long that it would seem impossible to imagine them playing a different character on a different daytime soap.
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While I am quite aware many of these actors have outstanding, and extensive, performing resumés, once they have adopted, and frequently originated, their soap characters (most of whom become household names), it is hard to imagine them in any other role. At first I thought this concept, suggested by a Twitter friend, would be a challenge. Instead, I found myself unable to keep the list of performers in this category down to a mere handful.
Although some of these actors have outstanding film and primetime TV credits, they will always be known, instantaneously, by soap viewers, for their roles in the daytime TV genre.
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A number of the actors in this category were so respectfully and admirably associated with their roles that when he or she chose to retire, or the performer sadly passed away, his/her character would leave, never to be recast. The following instantly come to mind: Jeanne Cooper as Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless, MacDonald Carey as Tom Horton on Days of Our Lives, and John Beradino as Steve Hardy on General Hospital to name a few.
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In addition, certain actors, whether still on daytime TV or not, will always be associated with the characters they brought to life. It would be hard to see any of these actors on other soap operas. Some who instantly come to mind are Susan Flannery as Stephanie Forrester on The Bold and the Beautiful, Eric Braeden as Victor Newman on The Young and the Restless, Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives, Leslie Charleston as Monica Quartermaine on General Hospital, and Susan Lucci as Erica Kane on All My Children, to name a few. I can not imagine viewing these performers on another daytime soap, although all have performed in other genres on TV and/or in films without their daytime roles superseding their portrayals.
Who are some of the actors you would include in this category of “irreplaceables”? There are several others I can think of, including on soap operas no longer airing. Please share some of those who you can only envision in one role in the soap opera world!
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Suzanne Rogers is the one and only Maggie on Days. She has played Maggie for over 40 years and I can’t imagine that I would be able to accept another actress in the role.
ITA! I could never imagine anyone else playing Maggie. Suzanne Rogers will always be the one & only Maggie.
I only watch Days and so my Soap knowledge is limited to one cast, but there are SO many vets on that show that were either original or recasts, I can’t imagine someone else playing the character now. Whether he’s Roman or John, I couldn’t imagine someone besides Drake Hogestyn opposite Deidre’s Marlena same with John Aniston as Victor Kiriakis or Joe Mascolo as the one and only Stefano DiMera. Even though she’s gone I can’t fathom someone filling Ali Sweeny’s role of Sami Brady.
I feel as though there is a time limit for soap actors in terms of “setting a character in stone” so to say. While there are many great actors like James Scott who played EJ for 8 years, even though I feel like he owns that role, if they decided to renew the character with a different actor, I would be open to a new interpretation of the character. Now someone like Bryan Datillo or Lauren Koslow, who have been on for 20 years I think it would be a rough transition for both the audience and the show itself to bring in someone new.
I thinks you make a lot of good points in relation to the long-term DOOL cast members. Since Lauren Koslow is a recast I think it’s great that you think she’s the only one who could play Kate going forward.
ITA about Joe Mascolo and John Aniston — no one else could take their places!
I know Lauren was a recast of Debra Adair but Lauren has taken Kate to places I don’t think anyone else could and whatever it was, her performance or the writing which enhanced her performance, I can’t see anyone else as Kate Roberts.
Frances Reid DOOL
ITA!!! The one and only Alice Horton.
Erika slezak and Bob woods from One Life to Live, GH Stuart Damon, Tony Geary, Genie Francis, Kimberly McCullough, Anna Lee, Maurice Benard, John Beradino, Rachel Ames, AW Linda Dano, Anna Staurt, Victoria k (Rachel ) Tim Eplin, Stephen Schnetzer, Days Francis Reid, MacDonald Carey. Alison Sweeney, Deidre Hall, Susan S Hays, Drake H, John Aniston, Joe Mascolo, John Clarke, and Suzanne Rogers, AMC David Canry, Susan Lucci, James Mitchell, Ray MacDonnal, Michael E Knight B&B Susan F, John McCook, Y&R Eric B, Jeanne Cooper and Peter B, Jerry Douglas and Melody Thomas Scott , Jess Watson GL Grant Alekander, Kim Zimmer, Robert Newman, Marj Dusay, Tina S, and Michael Zaslow, and Ron R.
All of them will be hard can’t be replaced
You have some fabulous suggestions!!! This is a much wider pool of actors than I ever realized who are completely associated with a specific daytime soap role. I agree with many of your suggestions, for example I could never imagine anyone playing Nikki Newman than the brilliant Melody Thomas Scott.
Thank you so much for chiming in with all these fabulous actors.
Drake Hogestyn, John Black, Joseph Moscolo, Stefano Dimera, Alison Sweeney, Samantha Brady Dimera, Bryan Datillo, Lucas, Eileen Davidson, Kristen, Kathryn Kelly Lang, Brooke, Hunter Tylo, Taylor, Christian LeBlanc, Michael, Maurice Benard, Sonny, Rebecca Herbst, Elizabeth, Bradford Anderson, Spinelli, Wally Kurth, Justin K.
I agree with many of the actors you mentioned — not necessarily all, but I DO respect ALL their talent!!! Thank you for adding to this incredible list of talent!
Arianne Zucker as Nicole on Days.
I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing Nicole as well as Arianne Zucker. 🙂
Peter Reckell will always be the one and only Bo Brady!!!!! Miss him SO SO much on Days. Also, Eden Riegel as Bianca Montgomery on All My Children, she owned that role and is an incredible actress!
I agree about both actors you mentioned. When DOOL tried to recast the part of Bo Brady it was clearly a challenge as Peter Reckell was asked back.
Eden Riegel was outstanding bringing the layered character of Bianca to AMC!