1 / 16
Soap operas will always have a special place in the hearts of daytime television lovers! The famous soap opera 'As The World Turns' ran from 1956 all the way up to 2010 and therefore, like many soap operas, was a launchpad for many great Hollywood careers. Here are some of the biggest stars that used to live in the small town of "Oakdale"!
2 / 16
Amy's list of roles in popular TV shows and movies is endless, but before she really broke through, Ryan had a recurring character in 'As The World Turns', playing the role of "Renee".
3 / 16
Before starring in hit shows such as 'Wings', 'All Dogs Go To Heaven: The Series', 'Cursed', and 'Studio 60 on the Sunset Strip' one of Steven Weber's first roles was in 'As The World Turns' back in 1985. Hey, you have to start somewhere right?
4 / 16
Before 'Battlestar Galatica' was probably just an idea, Mary McDonell starred in a few episodes of 'As The World Turns', playing the role of "Claudia Colfax".
5 / 16
Only three years before being cast for the hit series 'Dawson's Creek', James Van Der Beek was a cast member for three episodes of 'As The World Turns' to play the role of "Stephen Anderson" in 1995.
6 / 16
Before Richard Thomas moved on to star in hit shows like 'The Waltons' and 'The Americans', Thomas had a role in the soap opera 'As The World Turns' playing the role of "Thomas Christopher Hughes" back in 1966.
7 / 16
Jason Biggs played the role of "Pete Wendall" before starring in the hit franchise 'American Pie'. Since then, he has starred in several different movies and TV shows like 'The Good Wife' and 'Orange Is The New Black.'
8 / 16
Believe it or not, but one of William Fichtner's first roles ever was 'As The World Turns' back in 1987. Producers definitely saw potential in the young actor at the time, which led him to star in movies like 'Contact', 'Heat', and 'Armageddon' in his later career.
9 / 16
Wow! The producers of 'As The World Turns' were even able to snatch themselves an up-and-coming Meg Ryan, before 'When Harry Met Sally.' She played the role of "Betsy Stewart Andropoulos" from 1982 until 1984.
10 / 16
Julianne Moore also appeared on the show during the series earlier lifespan in the 80's. Of course, like most of stars, she returned to 'As The World Turns' for the very last episode in 2010. Since then she has starred in award-winning productions such as '30 Rock', 'Crazy, Stupid Love', and 'The Hours'.
Soap operas will always have a special place in the hearts of daytime television lovers!
The famous soap opera As The World Turns ran from 1956 all the way up to 2010 and therefore, like many soap operas, was a launchpad for many great Hollywood careers.
Here are some of the biggest stars that used to live in the small town of "Oakdale"!