ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live" Ending but Stars Go On
"All My Children," "One Life to Live" turned actors into stars.
April 15, 2011— -- "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will end their long runs on daytime television, but not without leaving a legacy of soap-actors-turned-stars behind.
ABC announced Thursday that the daytime dramas will air their final episodes in September and January, respectively.
In their place, the network will debut two new daytime programs: "The Chew," a program about food news and trends, and "The Revolution," about health and lifestyle transformations.
"The Chew" and "The Revolution" aim to emulate the formula and success of ABC's "The View." "The Chew" will feature a rotating cast of hosts, including chef Mario Batali, restaurateur Michael Symon and nutrition expert Daphne Oz. "The Revolution" will feature a "dream team" of lifestyle consultants including fashion guru Tim Gunn, celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak and "American Idol" alum Kimberley Locke.
Susan Lucci, who has played Erica Kane for over four decades, may be the biggest star on "All My Children" and one of soaps' biggest icons.
"It's been a fantastic journey," the 64-year-old actress said in a statement Thursday. "I loved playing Erica Kane and working with [show creator] Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with 'All My Children.' I'm looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities."
Lucci won the daytime Emmy for playing Erica in 1999 after being passed over 18 times.
Kelly Ripa, another star who came from "All My Children," told ABCNews.com she felt "heartsick" when she heard the news.
"This is like losing a member of your family," Ripa, now host of "Regis and Kelly," said in a statement. "'All My Children'" was more than a job -- it was my family. It was there that I met my husband [Mark Consuelos]; it was there when my first two children were born; it was there where I met many of my life-long friends. It was the greatest training ground ever. I feel heart sick."
Indeed, "All My Children," on since 1970, and "One Life to Live," on since 1968, launched the careers of some of today's biggest stars, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michelle Trachtenberg, Melissa Leo, Josh Duhamel, Eva LaRue, Christian Slater, Rosie O'Donnell, Kim Delaney and Amanda Seyfried.
Here's a look at other actors-turned-stars from soaps past and present, including "As The World Turns," "The Guiding Light" and "The Young and the Restless."
ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live" Launched Hollywood Careers
Julianne Moore
Before the big Hollywood roles rolled in, Julianne Moore was a New York City waitress, born in North Carolina, who got her start in the acting world on "As the World Turns." In 1985, Moore was cast in the dual roles of half-sisters Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. She played the girls for three years and won a Daytime Emmy for her work in 1988.
Marisa Tomei
The Oscar-winning actress from Brooklyn got her start on the New York City set of "As the World Turns." In 1983, while studying at New York University, Marisa Tomei landed the role of teenager Marcy Thompson Cushing on the soap opera. She dropped out of school to pursue her acting ambitions, staying on "As the World Turns" until 1985.
Jason Biggs
He might be best known for his "American Pie" antics, but before making love to a plate of pastry, Jason Biggs cut his teeth in the acting world on "As the World Turns." In 1994, he was cast as the troubled teen Pete Wendall on the soap opera. Critics perked up: he earned a Daytime Emmy nomination for best young actor for the role.
Meg Ryan
Before she became America's sweetheart in films like "When Harry Met Sally," "Sleepless in Seattle" and "You've Got Mail," Meg Ryan played Betsy Stewart on "As the World Turns" from 1982 to 1984.
Her pairing with Frank Runyeon's character Steve made them one of the most popular couples on television in the 80s. Their "wedding" on May 30, 1984, attracted 20 million viewers, making it the second highest-rated hour in American soap opera history.
ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live" Launched Hollywood Careers
James Earl Jones
The actor known for his basso voice, most notably as Darth Vader, James Earl Jones took roles in television to augment his theater work and became the first black man to have a continuing role on a daytime serial when he portrayed Dr. Jerry Turner on "As the World Turns" in 1966 and later, as Dr. Jim Frazier on "The Guiding Light."
Kevin Bacon
Before he got footloose, actor Kevin Bacon played the teenage alcoholic Tim "T.J." Werner on "Guiding Light" from 1980 to 1981. Bacon also starred as Tom Adamson on the soap opera "Search for Tomorrow" in 1979.
Calista Flockhart
Before she made a name for herself as the quirky Ally McBeal in 1997, Calista Flockhart had a minor role in 1989 as the babysitter for one of "Guiding Light's" most memorable characters, the diva Reva Shayne Lewis (Kim Zimmer).
Alec Baldwin
He currently plays the slick-mouthed Jack Donaghy on the TV show "30 Rock," but Alec Baldwin's acting career had more humble beginnings. His first role was as Billy Allison Aldrich on the soap opera "The Doctors" from 1980-1982. But he got his big break on the nighttime soap opera "Knots Landing," as the lunatic preacher Joshua Rush from 1984-1985.
Anne Heche
David Hasselhoff
"Baywatch" star David Hasselhoff began his acting career at age 22, as Dr. William "Snapper" Foster Jr. on "The Young and the Restless" from 1975-1982.