Fans Rally Around Young & Restless’ Sasha Calle After She’s Dismissed in the Hollywood Press as Just a ‘Soap Opera Actress’
Monday, February 22nd, 2021
The moral of this story: Don’t mess with daytime fans!
Ask any actor who has ever worked in soaps, and they will tell you it’s one of the most challenging — and rewarding — experiences of their life. And while some in Hollywood still look down on those toiling in the genre, their fans know exactly how hard these performers work… and don’t take it lightly when they’re dissed.
More: Sasha Calle shares emotional moment
So when several publications dismissively reported that the young woman chosen to play Supergirl in the upcoming movie The Flash was “a soap opera actress,” the outcry was swift and the judgment harsh across social media, with Twitter becoming a particularly hot spot. And the response came not only from those familiar with Sasha Calle’s work as The Young and the Restless‘ Lola but from people with an understanding of exactly what it takes for any actor to make it in daytime.
For @juleslevz, it was difficult to believe that people were still “degrading and minimizing the work actors in this genre put in. ‘Soap’ actors are actors. Also some of the most hard-working ones in the industry. But people sill aren’t ready for that conversation.”
A sOap OpeRa ActResS
And what about it? not @ folks still out here, in the yr 2021 degrading & minimizing the WORK actors in this genre PUT IN. “Soap” actors are ACTORS. Also some of the most hard working ones in the industry. But people still aren’t ready for that conversation. https://t.co/PMazwzAzxi pic.twitter.com/3BI9A6Gmpf
— 𝕁𝕦𝕝𝕚𝕒🦋 (@JulesLevz) February 20, 2021
More: Nikki Newman’s life in photos
Others realized that the best way to disprove the notion that soap actors are somehow lesser was to point out examples of performers who’d gotten their starts on soaps. To that end, the partial list provided by @JennaTVLover made the point beautifully. (She didn’t even get to some of the stars people have mostly forgotten once did soaps!)
Meg Ryan, Chris Hemsworth, Margot Robbie, Michael B. Jordan, Robin Wright, Demi Moore, Judith Light, Justin Hartley, John Stamos, Brad Pitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, James Earl Jones, Ryan Philippe, Julianne Moore, Shemar Moore, Jensen Ackles, Courtney Cox, Laurence Fishburne… pic.twitter.com/U2KhULiE0x
— Penelope’s Bitch (@JennaTVLover) February 20, 2021
Perhaps the most gratifying aspect of the dustup was seeing soap fans — who, let’s face it, can come at one another pretty harshly — presenting a united front. As @WrecklessLove pointed out, “We fight amongst each other all day, but outsiders will get checked for disrespect.”
I love how soap twitter (some who don’t even like the character of Lola on #YR) came together to drag people shaming DC for hiring a soap actress. We fight amongst each other all day, but outsiders will get checked for disrespect 🤣
— Ash Dionne ❄ (@WrecklessLove) February 20, 2021
Which of the many actors to have gotten their start in daytime is your favorite? And whom do you predict will be next to prove the stereotype wrong by becoming a big-screen star? Hit the comments with your picks for daytime’s best and brightest, then check out the gallery below in which we look at nearly 70 actors who got their start on your favorite soaps.
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<p>Kevin Bacon, best known for playing Ren in the 80’s film Footloose and as Ryan Hardy in the series The Following landed his first role on soaps as Todd Adamson on Search for Tomorrow in 1979. He went on to play Tim Werner on Guiding Light from 1980 to 1981.</p>
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<p>Alec Baldwin’s first documented role was playing Billy Aldrich on The Doctors from 1980 to 1982. He also appeared as Joshua Rush in the 80’s primetime soap Knots Landing and has over 140 roles under his belt.</p>
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<p>Modern family star Elizabeth Banks, who has played Sal since 2009, started out in soaps. In 1999, she played Rosalie on All My Children.</p>
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<p>Kathy Bates, who will always be remembered for playing a crazed fan in Misery, has a few soap credits. Her first role was playing Phyllis on The Doctors in 1978, then Belle Bodelle on All My Children in 1984 and as Evelyn Maddox on One Life to Live that same year.</p>
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<p>Jason Biggs, of American Pie fame, played Pete Wendall on As The World Turns from 1994 to 1995. He’s held numerous roles and appeared as Larry Bloom on Orange Is The New Black from 2013 to 2019 and stars as Mike on the series Outmatched.</p>
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<p>Jordana Brewster’s (Fast & Furious franchise) first acting role was as Anita Santos on All My Children in 1995. She also played Nikki Munson on As The World Turns from 1995 to 1998 and appeared as Elena Ramos in the Dallas reboot from 2012 to 2014.</p>
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<p>Lacey Chabert, who viewers likely recognize from numerous Hallmark movies, played a young Bianca Montgomery on All My Children from 1992 to 1993. She first made a name for herself as Claudia Salinger in the series Party of Five.</p>
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<p>Mark Consuelos appeared as Mateo Santos on All My Children from 1995 to 2010. In fact, he met his wife Kelly Ripa (Hayley Vaughan) on the ABC soap and the couple has been married since 1996.</p>
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<p>Courtney Cox played Bunny on As the World Turns in1984 and appeared as the young concert goer in the 1984 Bruce Springsteen video Dancing In the Dark. Cox will always be remembered for playing Monica on Friends from 1994 to 2004.</p>
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<p>Marcia Cross appeared on a few soaps before Melrose Place and Desperate Housewives. She played Liz Corell on The Edge of Night in 1984, Tanya on Another World in 1986 and Kate Sanders on One Life to Live in 1987.</p>
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<p>Before everybody knew his name on Cheers, Ted Danson played Tom Conway on the NBC soap Somerset. He went on to appear as Mitch Pierson on The Doctors in 1977.</p>
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<p>Kristin Davis played Nurse Betsy Chilson on General Hospital for 23 episodes in 1991. However, it was her roles on Melrose Place and Sex and the City that brought her popularly.</p>
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<p>Before he won hearts as Titanic’s Jack Dawson, Leonardo DiCaprio played a young Mason Capwell on Santa Barbara in one episode in 1990. Though he’s had roles in various series, the big screen is where the actor thrives.</p>
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<p>One of Taye Diggs’ first roles was a playing Adrien ‘Sugar Hill’ on Guiding Light in 1997. His Springfield character was a music producer.</p>
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<p>Josh Duhamel (Transformers franchise) played Leo du Pres on All My Children on and off from 1999 until his character’s death in 2002. However, Duhamel’s character surfaced in 2011 in Greenlee Smythe’s (Rebecca Budig) dream.</p>
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<p>Kirsten Dunst appeared as a young child on Loving from 1990 to 1991. The actress has had an extensive career in primetime and film and played Mary Jane Watson in the Spiderman movies.</p>
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<p>William Fichtner first appeared in daytime on the CBS soap As The World Turns as Rod Landry aka Josh Snyder in 1987. He played the role until 1993 then returned for 1 episode in 2006.</p>
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<p>Veteran actor Laurence Fishburne’s second role was on an ABC soap opera. He played Dr. Joshua Hall on One Life to Live from 1974 to 1976 before making it to the big time. </p>
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<p>Calista Flockhart may have gained a fan following as Ally McBeal but actually appeared on 3 soap operas beforehand. In 1989 she played Elise on Guiding Light then in 1990 appeared as Stacey on As the World Turns and as a young woman on Loving.</p>
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<p>Morgan Freeman appeared on 3 soap operas as well. In 1981, he tried his hand at two daytime roles, as Detective Michaels on Texas and as Cicero Murphy on Ryan’s Hope before heading over to Another World as Dr. Roy Bingham from 1982 to 1984.</p>
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<p>Melissa Fumero was well-known in daytime before making it in primetime as Amy Santiago on Brooklyn Nine-Nine. She played Arianna Kramer Balsom on One Life to Live from 1998 to 2011 and crossed over to All My Children in the same role in 2005. Fumero met her husband while working on One Life, David Fumero, who played Cristian Vega.</p>
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<p>Sarah Michelle Gellar originated the popular role of Kendall Hart on All My Children in 1993. She played Erica Kane’s (Susan Lucci) daughter until 1995 before venturing into her 6 year primetime role as Buffy Summers in Buffy the Vampire Slayer.</p>
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<p>Kelsey Grammer played Dr. Frasier Crane on Cheers before going solo with the character on Frasier in 1993. Before that, his first role was in 1979 as a waiter on Ryan’s Hope followed by appearing as Dr. Canard on Another World from 1984 to 1985.</p>
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<p>The late Larry Hagman will always be remembered as I Dream of Jeannie’s Major Anthony Nelson and Dallas’ J.R. Ewing. Before making the question “Who shot J.R.” a household phrase, he appeared as Curt Williams in Search for Tomorrow in 1957 and as Ed Gibson in The Edge of Night in 1961.</p>
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<p>One of the most popular stars to come out of daytime, Justin Hartley first hit the scene as Fox Crane on Passions in 2002 to 2006. He landed the role of Adam Newman, son of the great Victor Newman (Eric Braeden), on Young and the Restless in 2014 then left in 2016 before originating the role of Kevin Pearson on the hit NBC series This Is Us. </p>
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<p>When one thinks of Mark Hamill, it’s hard not to connect the actor with Star Wars’ Luke Skywalker. However, from 1972 to 1973, he played Kent Murray on General Hospital and has over 340 credits to his name.</p>
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<p>David Hasselhoff (The Hoff) was a big soap star in the 70’s and 80’s before his Night Rider days. He played the role of William ‘Snapper’ Foster Jr. on Young and the Restless from 1975 until 1982 and even returned for a guest spot in June 2010.</p>
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<p>Teri Hatcher is known for playing Lois Kane on Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman, as well as Susan Mayer on Desperate Housewives. But from 1986 to 1987, she appeared as Angelica Stimac Clegg on the soap Capitol.</p>
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<p>The late Anne Heche has had great success in film and primetime. But before there was Ally McBeal’s Melanie West or Everwood’s Amanda Hayes, she played Vicky/Marley Hudson on Another World from 1987 to 1991.</p>
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<p>Singer, songwriter and rapper Lauryn Hill has filled stadiums around the world. She also took on her first acting role in 1991 as Kira Johnson on As the World Turns.</p>
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<p>James Earl Jones has often been described as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors. In 1966, he took on two daytime roles, first playing Dr. Jim Frazier on Guiding Light then as Dr. Jerry Turner on As the World Turns.</p>
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<p>Tommy Lee Jones is best known for roles in The Fugitive and the Men in Black films. Back in the day, he appeared on One Life to Live as Dr. Mark Toland from 1971 to 1975.</p>
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<p>Melissa Leo is no stranger to crime dramas such as Homicide: Life on the Street, Law & Order and CSI. But in 1988, she took on a new genre playing Linda Warner on All My Children.</p>
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<p>Oscar and Tony award winner Kevin Kline has made his mark in Hollywood. His first documented role was playing Woody Reed on Search for Tomorrow in 1976.</p>
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<p>Swoosie Kurtz can be seen playing Beverly, the sassy mom to Matt LeBlanc’s Adam Burns on Man With A Plan. In 1971, she turned up on As the World Turns as Ellie Bradley then as a student nurse on The Doctors in 1978.</p>
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<p>Judith Light landed the role of One Life to Live’s Karen Wolek in 1978 to 1983. But playing single mom Angela Bower on Who’s the Boss was only the beginning of her primetime rise to stardom. She also played Judith Ryland in the 2013 Dallas reboot.</p>
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<p>The late Ray Liotta has played in comedies, action and drama features since launching his career in the late 70’s. One of his first roles was on the soap Another World as Joey Perrini from 1980 to 1981.</p>
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<p>The late James Lipton was known as a co-creator and host for the television series Inside the Actors Studio. Though he didn’t have many primetime and film credits, he did appear in daytime as Dr. Dick Grant on Guiding Light in 1953.</p>
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<p>Before Lindsay Lohan played cute twins Hallie Parker/Annie James in The Parent Trap, she dabbled in daytime a couple of years prior. The actress played Alli Fowler on Another World from 1996 to 1997.</p>
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<p>Nia Long, known for 90’s films Boyz n the Hood and Friday tried her hand at soaps early on. She appeared in four episodes of Guiding Light as Katherine ‘Kat’ Speakes from 1992 to 1993.</p>
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<p>Eva Longoria had an 8 year run playing Gabrielle Solis on Desperate Housewives and has since served as a writer, director and producer in various projects. Though she’ll be familiar to daytime fans for playing Isabella Brana on Young and the Restless from 2001 to 2003, her first soap role was appearing as a Brenda Barrett (Vanessa Marcil) lookalike on ABC’s General Hospital in 2000.</p>
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<p>Lori Loughlin was the other half of fellow soap alum John Stamos’ Jesse, having played ‘Aunt Becky’ in Full House and its Fuller House spin-off. Though the actress was caught up in the drama surrounding 2019’s college admission scandal, she once appeared on the soap drama The Edge of Night as Jody Travis from 1980 to 1983.</p>
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<p>William H. Macy is recognized for playing Frank Gallagher on the Showtime hit series Shameless, not to mention well-over 100 other roles. One of his first was playing Frank Fisk on Another World in 1982.</p>
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<p>The King of Latin Pop, Ricky Martin, is known for his sizzle dance moves and sexy voice. However, longtime General Hospital fans will recall that he played Miguel Morez in Port Charles from 1994 to 1995.</p>
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<p>Demi Moore took the 80’s by storm with movies like St. Elmo’s Fire and About Last Night and went on to star in big features such as Striptease, Indecent Proposal and G.I. Jane. Moore’s daytime roots stem back to 1982 when she played Jackie Templeton on General Hospital until 1983.</p>
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<p>Prolific actress Julianne Moore appeared in three different daytime roles. First as Carmen Engler on The Edge of Night in 1984, followed by an appearance as a stewardess on Another World in 1985 then as twin sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes on As the World Turns from 1985 to 1988.</p>
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<p>Shemar Moore’s presence in Hollywood takes him back to his soap days playing Young and the Restless’ Malcolm Winters on and off since 1994, with his last appearance in 2019 for a special tribute to the late Kristoff St. John, Moore’s onscreen brother Neil Winters. Two of his major roles in primetime have been a 12 year run as Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds and playing Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson on S.W.A.T.</p>
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<p>Hayden Panettiere, of Nashville fame, started out on soaps. In 1994 she played Sarah Victoria Roberts on One Life to Live until 1997 then went on to appear as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light from 1998 to 2000.</p>
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<p>Amanda Peet is another actress whose first role was on a soap. She played Layle on One Life to Live in 1995 and went on to appear in films and primetime in such series as The Good Wife, Brockmire and Dirty John. </p>
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