These Actors Started In Soap Operas And Went All The Way Up To The International Stage

Thank god for Neighbours, eh.

Fool Me Once is Netflix's latest hit show, and it stars Michelle Keegan, who's known most for her role as Tina McIntyre in the British soap opera, Coronation Street.

Netflix

Going from soap star to the bigger stage is a well-trodden path – here are eight other actors that have made the same move:

Margot Robbie

Network 10/ Warner Bros. Pictures

Now one of the biggest movie actors in the world, Margot Robbie was once a regular on the Australian soap, Neighbours. She played Donna Freedman from 2008 – 2011, and also reprised her role in a cameo in 2022. After telling producers that she wanted to leave at the end of her contract, she went on to become one of the biggest stars in the world, as seen most recently by her role as Barbie. 

Guy Pearce

Network 10 / Newmarket

Sticking with the Aussie soap that has brought us so much talent over the years, Guy was also a series regular, joining the cast when he was 18. Guy played the role of Mike Young, starring in the show from 1986 – 1989, and also making a cameo in 2022. Deciding that he wanted to begin taking more challenging roles, Guy left the show, and it paid off. Guy went on to become a Hollywood staple, starring in films such as L.A Confidential and Momento. 

Laurence Fishburne

ABC / Warner Bros.

As just an eleven-year-old, Laurence got his first taste of the screen on the American soap opera, One Life to Live, portraying Josh Hall. Laurence played Josh from 1973 – 1976, before he went on to become a major film star. Soon after, Laurence starred in Apocalypse Now, and is now of course known for his roles in The Matrix and John Wick franchises. 

Julianne Moore

CBS / Sony Pictures Classics

The Academy Award winner also used to star in a soap opera, portraying both Frannie Hughes and her half-sister Sabrina in the daytime soap As the World Turns. Julianne played Frannie from 1985 – 1988, before returning briefly in 2010. After picking up a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Ingenue in a Drama Series, Julianne set her sights on greener pastures. She went on to become one of the biggest actors of her generation. 

Sarah Michelle Geller

ABC / UPN

Sarah, who's built up an illustrious TV and film career, was once star of the soap opera, All My Children. She was the first actor to portray Kendall Hart and played the role from 1993 – 1995. For Sarah, it was her real breakthrough, and she also picked up a Daytime Emmy Award for her role. Two years later, Sarah was starring in the hit show, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, for which she gained international recognition. 

Mark Hamill

BC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images / 20th Century Studios

To kickstart his career, the future Star Wars actor starred in a recurring role in the soap opera, General Hospital as Kent Murray. It was 1972 when Mark starred in the soap, and only a few years later he went on to land one of the most iconic roles in movie history!

Kevin Bacon

CBS / Paramount Pictures

Before Kevin became a household name, a dabbled in the soap opera game. From 1979 – 1981 he had roles in the soaps Search for Tomorrow (1979) and Guiding Light (1980-81). Three years later he would be starring in Footloose, the role that skyrocketed him to fame, and established him as a Hollywood regular. 

Brad Pitt

NBC / 20th Century Studios

Right at the start of Pitt's acting career, he landed a two-episode stint on the long-running soap opera, Another World. It was his first time landing a role in a proper show, after working at a restaurant called El Pollo Loco dressing up as a chicken... It was a few years until Brad was making hits, but he eventually became one of the biggest stars in Hollywood. 

What other actors started off in soaps? Let us know in the comments below!