19 Surprising Celebs Who Got Their Start On Soap Operas

Warning: You may never be able to look at your favorite celeb the same way again.

Ryan Phillippe as Billy Douglas on One Life to Live

Brokeback Mountain was a tour de force, but that's nothing compared to Ryan's portrayal of Billy, the first gay teenager ever to be portrayed on a daytime soap opera. That lasted from 1992-1993, pre-Reese, and butt scene in Cruel Intentions.

Meg Ryan on As The World Turns as Betsy Stewart Andropoulos

Meg's rom-com career would be nothing if not for her soap stint from 1982 to 1984, as Betsy—a trust fund baby in Oakdale. There were multiple marriages, a pregnancy, car accident, and countless other soapy dramas. That's all part of the biz, folks.

Kevin Bacon on Guiding Light as T.J. Werner

Pre-Footloose in 1984, there was Kevin Bacon as an alcoholic teen on Guiding Light.

Parker Posey as Tess Shelby on As The World Turns

Parker played the role of Tess, a devious teenager, from 1991-1992. I can only assume she pulled from real-life experience.


View Entire List ›

BuzzFeed - Latest