One of the longest-running soap operas ever is “Days of Our Lives.” Over the course of the more than 55 years that the program has been broadcast on NBC, the cast has changed frequently. People claims that there have been so many famous people who have appeared on “DOOL” over the years that it’s almost impossible to keep track of them all. Hollywood A-lister Mila Kunis, “Baywatch” actress Pamela Anderson, and even LeAnn Rimes from country music have all played characters on the sudser.
Tara Reid from “American Pie,” Vivica A. Fox from “Soul Food,” Kathie Lee Gifford from daytime television, and even Kyle Richards from “The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills” have all made appearances on the soap opera. Surprisingly, Pat Sajak, the host of “Wheel of Fortune,” actually starred in the show in 1983 as a character named Ken Hathaway.
While several of the cast members, such Deidre Hall, Drake Hogestyn, Suzanne Rogers, Susan Seaforth Hayes, and others, have established themselves as recurring characters, In fact, a number of current stars began their acting careers on “Days of Our Lives” in supporting roles.
Andrea Barber and Ashley Benson got their starts on DOOL
According to Hollywood Life, a lot of beloved celebs got their start by appearing on “Days of Our Lives.” Over the years, a few well-known people have lived at the NBC soap opera and then left to forge successful careers. In a 1987 flashback scene on “DOOL,” actress Alison Sweeny made her television debut as a young Adrienne Johnson. She officially joined the cast in 1993 as Sami Brady, a role she has continued to play intermittently in addition to her other endeavors like her Hallmark films.
It’s possible that Andrea Barber’s portrayal of DJ Tanner’s best friend Kimmy Gibbler on “Full House” and its spin-off “Fuller House” is what makes her most well-known. Barber’s portrayal of a young Carrie Brady on “Days of Our Lives” from 1982 to 1986 gave her one of her very first roles.
When she got her part on the teen drama “Pretty Little Liars,” Ashley Benson became well-known. The daughter of Jennifer Horton and Jack Deveraux, Abigail Deveraux, was the character she played on “DOOL” prior to that. Before leaving the program, Benson worked there for three years.
Jensen Ackles and Lisa Rinna also hit it big on DOOL
The various acting roles Jamie Chung has played in “The Hangover Part II,” “Sorority Row,” and “Lovecraft Country” may be familiar to fans. The actor, however, actually began her career in reality television. According to Hollywood Life, Chung made an appearance on “The Real World” before getting her first recurring part as Cordy Han on “Days of Our Lives.”
Jensen Ackles is a famous actor who also got his start on “DOOL.” Over time, Ackles’ name has come to be associated with Dean Winchester from his “Supernatural” character. But before he battled ghosts and demons on the CW series, he played Eric Brady, the twin brother of Sami and the son of Marlena Evans and Roman Brady. He played the part for three years before becoming well-known for his work on the 15-season television series “Supernatural.”
On “Days of Our Lives,” soap opera star Kirsten Storms also received her big break. The actress was hired to portray a teenage version of Belle Black, and she played the part for five years before switching to the competing serial opera “General Hospital.” When Lisa Rinna was chosen to play Billie Reed on the show, her career also took off. Prior to leaving to feature in other productions like “Melrose Place,” Rinna portrayed the part for three years. She did, however, play the part again multiple times throughout the years.
Since the soap opera can apparently smell talent, it seems that “DOOL” has been a great beginning place for many stars over the years.
