Soap Opera Actors: Where Are They Now?
Show (Nikki Nelson/WENN.com)
Catching up with the former daytime actors.
In our latest column Soaps.com has some updates surrounding the careers of former soap stars of daytime canceled soaps “All My Children,” “As the World Turns,” “Guiding Light,” “Loving,” “One Life to Live,” “Ryan’s Hope” and “Santa Barbara.”
A sequel, with one former soap actor looking to Rocky Balboa for guidance, a royal title, a Hallmark movie, a Golden Globe win, fan Q&As and more…
Ryan Bittle in Love by the Book.
Daytime fans were first introduced to Ryan Bittle in 2010 when he appeared as Logan on “All My Children” then reappeared during the soap’s reboot in 2013 as JR Chandler. On Saturday January 24 the actor will star in the Hallmark Channel movie “Love by the Book.” The story follows a bookstore owner named Emma (Leah Renee, “Satisfaction”) who believes in fairytales, prince charming and happily ever afters. While dating Landon (Bittle), Emma is torn between him and a man named Eric (Kristopher Turner, “Saving Hope”) and has to pick between a storybook romance and a real shot at love. Tune in at 9:00 PM. Stefanie Powers (“Hart to Hart”) and John Schneider (“Dukes of Hazzard”) also star.
Michael B. Jordan co-stars with Sylvester Stallone in latest franchise boxing film.
Fans will not only see “All My Children” alum (ex-Reggie Montgomery, 2003 to 2006) Michael B. Jordan in 2015’s Fantastic Four but the actor has been cast to play opposite Sylvester Stallone in the latest “Rocky” sequel “Creed” as Adonis Creed, grandson of Apollo Creed. The feature will begin filming scenes in Philadelphia this month and follows Adonis, who hires Rocky Balboa as his boxing couch despite the fact that his famous family has forbidden him from making a name for himself inside the boxing ring. Stay tuned for the 2016 release date.
Matt Bomer stays busy and wins a Golden Globe.
"Guiding Light" alum Matt Bomer (ex-Ben Reade, 2002 to 2003) just keeps adding to his after-daytime credits. The actor is currently involved in a few films, including a role as Ken in the Channing Tatum stripper sequel "Magic Mike XXL" set to be released on July 1, and took home a Golden Globe award for Best Performance by a Supporting Actor in TV for his role as Felix Turner in "The Normal Heart." Bomer will also turn up in the 2016 release "The Nice Guys," starring Ryan Gosling ("Gangster Squad") and Kim Basinger ("Grudge Match"), which follows a private investigator who uncovers a conspiracy while investigating an apparent suicide of a porn star. But that's not all… The actor will star in "Monty Clift" as Montgomery Clift, who's deeply involved with a young Elizabeth Taylor as outside forces try to keep them apart.
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No words can properly express my gratitude for this night. I'll simply say thank you for a moment I'll never forget. @goldenglobes
— Matt Bomer (@MattBomer) January 12, 2015
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Queen Elizabeth II deems Joan Collins a Dame.
Iconic actress Joan Collins ("Dynasty," "Guiding Light's" ex-Alexandra Spaulding, 2002) has reached a new status. The actress gave an interview to BBC News to share her delight that Queen Elizabeth II had honored her with the title of Dame in Britain's New Year's Honours List. Collins was recognized for her charitable contributions, most notably for her involvement with Shooting Star Chase, a well-known children's hospice charity that helps kids of all ages and their families with life-limiting conditions. The actress will also star as the Grand Duchess of Oxford in E!'s "The Royals," which surrounds a fictional British Royal family set in modern day London and premieres on Sunday March 15. Elizabeth Hurley also stars as Queen Helena.
Beyond thrilled at the honour of being made a Dame in today's list. Heartfelt thanks 2 all who have sent such lovely messages @foreignoffice
— Joan Collins (@joancollinsobe) December 31, 2014
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Cutting my special "dame" cake last night! pic.twitter.com/eDC8kFe4RJ
— Joan Collins (@joancollinsobe) January 3, 2015
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Kamar de los Reyes reunites with Nathan Fillion on Castle.
Kamar de los Reyes, best known in daytime for his fourteen years as "One Life to Live's" ex-Antonio Vega, will reunite with former Llanview co-star Nathan Fillion (ex-Joey Buchanan) on the latter's hit series "Castle." Look for Reyes to guest star as Manuel Villalobos in the episode titled "Private Eye Caramba," which surrounds the murder of a young Latin telenovela actress and how Beckett (Stana Katic) and Castle (Fillion) investigate from two different angles. The episode will air on Monday January 19 at 10:00 PM on ABC.
Rob Gorrie lands Gotham role.
Rob Gorrie, who stepped into the role of Matthew Buchanan during the "One Life to Live" reboot in 2013, will be heading to primetime. Gorrie will play John Grayson (Robin's father) on FOX's "Gotham" and will first appear in episode sixteen. "Gotham" airs Mondays at 8:00 PM. The actor also appeared as Nate Bradley on "As the World Turns" in 2006 and is currently wrapping up two projects, "The Preppie Connection" (Ben) and "License Plates" (Chris).
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Grant Show guests on Criminal Minds.
"Ryan's Hope" alum Grant Show (ex-Rick Hyde, 1985 to 1986) will guest star on CBS' "Criminal Minds" on Wednesday January 14 at 9:00 PM. The actor will play Colton Gran in the episode titled "The Forever People," as JJ (A.J. Cook) confronts her sordid past, and BAU's investigation of frozen dead bodies in Nevada leads them to believe that the victims were part of a cult. Show is well-known for his role as Jake Hanson on "Beverly Hills 90210" and "Melrose Place" back in the 1990s and has appeared in numerous roles thereafter, most recently as Spence Westmore on "Devious Maids." He's currently married to actress Katherine LaNasa ("Satisfaction," "Longmire").
Checking in with Lane Davies.
Soaps.com Facebook friend Carolyn Q. wondered what former soap actor Lane Davies has been up to. Davies appeared on soaps "Days of our Lives" as Evan Whyland 1981 to 1982), "The Bold and the Beautiful" as a temporary replacement for Ridge Forrester (1993), "Santa Barbara" as Mason Capwell (1984 to 1989), "General Hospital" as Cameron Lewis (2002 to 2003) and played Detective Mackenzie Johnson on "The Bay" from 2010 to 2014. He also appeared in the mini-series "Government Lies" as Jake Huckerby from 2013 to 2014.
Have you heard? "As the World Turns" alum (ex-Dusty Donovan) Grayson McCouch has been cast on General Hospital and "All My Children's" (ex-Ryan) Cameron Mathison will appear in Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder. He'll be playing opposite a very popular former "Days" actress.
Is there a certain actor from a canceled soap you'd like to know more about? Leave us a comment below and we'll do our best to catch up with them and report back with their recent happenings. You can also search the actor's name on Soaps.com, as we may have already reported their updates in a previous column.
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Header Photo Credit: Lane Davies (Gary Null/NBC)
- Amy Mistretta
