Soap Stars Who've Played Their Roles for 40 Years or More

Susan Lucci

Susan Lucci played Erica Kane on All My Children for the duration of the show's run, from 1970 to 2011.

"It's been a fantastic journey," the screen queen said in a statement after the iconic series wrapped. "I loved playing Erica Kane and working with [show creator] Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with All My Children."

During that time, Erica was married 10 times, accused of murder and forced to go on the run, served time in prison, been facially disfigured in a car accident, beat addictions to prescription drugs and alcohol following a back injury and met a daughter she didn't know existed.

For her part, Lucci was nominated for the Daytime Emmy Award a staggering 21 times, winning the outstanding lead actress in a drama honors in 1999.

Ray MacDonnell

Just behind Lucci, Ray MacDonnell was the longest-running original cast member on All My Children. The actor played Dr. Joe Martin until retiring in 2009, when production moved from New York to Los Angeles.

MacDonnell stepped back into character as the family patriarch for a few episodes in 2011, including the finale.

On June 10, 2021, MacDonnell died of natural causes at age 93.

Frances Reid

Like sands through the hourglass ... she was there from the start. Frances Reid played matriarch Alice Horton on Days of Our Lives from its 1965 debut until 2007, when she exited the soap at age 93.

The role won her the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. She died on Feb. 3, 2010, at the age of 95.

Susan Seaforth Hayes

Susan Seaforth Hayes joined the Days of Our Lives cast in 1968 as Julie Olson Williams, a role she's played ever since. In 1974, she married her costar Bill Hayes, who played her on-screen love interest and husband on the hit soap.

"I have the best husband, the best family, and the best job in entertainment," Hayes said, according to her actor bio on USA Network. "And best of all, as I once sang, 'I'm still here!' "

Bill Hayes

Hayes debuted on Days of Our Lives as Doug Williams in 1970; four years later, he married Susan, his costar. In 1976, the Williams' were the first daytime soap stars to cover TIME magazine, per Soap Opera Digest. In 2005, he and Susan co-wrote the memoir Like Sands Through the Hourglass, which chronicled their on- and off-screen romance.

Sharing the spotlight with his wife, Hayes remained in the role up until he died at 98 on Jan. 12, 2024. His character, Doug, would later die on the series.

“The show has written into the fact that he was an icon to the audience,” Susan told PEOPLE at the annual Days of Days fan event in Los Angeles on Nov. 2, 2024. “I appreciate the fact that they appreciated him so much. He deserved to be lifted up.”

Suzanne Rogers

Suzanne Rogers originated her role as Maggie Horton on Days of Our Lives in 1973 and never looked back. In fact, a twist of fate took her to the show when an audition for another soap didn't pan out as planned.

According to her actor bio on USA Network, Rogers "originally auditioned for a part on The Young and the Restless, but it turned out they were looking for blondes. The folks at Days saw her tape, though, and Maggie Horton was born."

Deidre Hall

Days of Our Lives also showcased the role of a lifetime for Deidre Hall, who has played Dr. Marlena Evans since 1976, save for her briefly leaving the show in 1987 for a main role on NBC’s short-lived drama Our House, which was canceled in 1988.

In 2016, she was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for her contributions to the daytime drama.

Hall spoke exclusively to PEOPLE in honor of her 5,000th Days episode in 2023. "It's a big moment for me,” she said. “I said to my agent, 'I want a regular job. I want a home.' Days happened and I thought, 'Oh my gosh.' It's the family I always wanted."

James Reynolds

An October 2021 episode of Days of Our Lives was dedicated to James Reynolds' character, Abe Carver, in celebration of his 40th anniversary in the role, Soap Opera Network reported.

In a larger achievement, according to his actor bio, the star states he's proud to have been a principal actor on a series "longer than any African American actor in the history of television, daytime or nighttime."

Genie Francis

The actress shot to stardom as Laura Spencer on General Hospital in 1977, playing the role for more than four decades.

Reflecting on how the times — and television – have changed through the years, Genie Francis addressed her character's controversial relationship with Luke (Anthony Geary) on The Story of Soaps, the May 2020 prime-time documentary special presented by PEOPLE and ABC.

In the late-1970s and early-1980s, Laura and Luke were billed a "supercouple" in the soap world, but attention later turned critical due to the nature of their relationship: Luke had raped Laura, but the two fell in love and eventually married.

"It was such a big deal in the media and it took the country by storm," Francis said in the special. "I've had to justify it for so many years and I have to say, it feels good to sit here and say I won't justify it. It's awful. They shouldn't have done it."

Leslie Charleson

Leslie Charleson has portrayed General Hospital's Dr. Monica Quartermaine since 1977. Though Soap Central reported in 2010 that she’d been taken off contract, she’s remained a recurring cast member ever since. For her part, the actress has received four Daytime Emmy nominations for outstanding lead actress.

Jacklyn Zeman

Jacklyn Zeman starred as nurse Bobbie Spencer on General Hospital for 45 years, first portraying the role in 1977. For her depiction of the beloved character, Zeman earned four Daytime Emmy nominations: three for outstanding supporting actress and one for outstanding lead actress. (She earned a fifth nomination in 2021 for a supporting role as Sofia Madison on The Bay.)

On May 9, 2023, the actress died shortly after being diagnosed with cancer. She was 70.

Kin Shriner

Kin Shriner joined General Hospital in 1977, playing Scott Baldwin on and off in the four decades since. The star also led the cast on the spinoff, Port Charles, which aired from 1997 to 2003.

Shriner continued landing soap gigs, including a small stint on Melrose Place in 1998, as Harrison Bartlett on The Young and the Restless in 2004 and as Keith Morrissey on As the World Turns from 2005 to 2006. He also briefly filled in for Ted Shackelford as Jeffrey Bardwell on The Young and the Restless in 2011.

Tristan Rogers

Tristan Rogers originated the role of Robert Scorpio on General Hospital in 1980. Rogers also portrayed the character on the second season of the 2008 spinoff serial, General Hospital: Night Shift. During his tenure on the series, Rogers expanded his soap work with a role on The Young and the Restless from 2010 to 2012.

Doug Davidson

Doug Davidson played Paul Williams on The Young and the Restless from 1978 until 2018. Despite learning his contract had not been renewed at the time, he continued portraying Paul in a recurring role until 2020.

In 2021, the actor bemoaned how his exit was handled while responding to fans' queries on Paul's whereabouts on social media. "I just want to thank you again for all your support," he wrote on X (formerly Twitter). "But I think I am done. After 43 years I am treated like a day player. No bueno."

Davidson was the longest-serving current cast member of the soap and won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 2013.

Melody Thomas Scott

Melody Thomas Scott has starred as Nikki Newman on The Young and the Restless since 1979. Scott also portrayed the character on numerous TV series beyond the soap universe, including a 2001 episode of The King of Queens and in a guest appearance on The Bold and the Beautiful in 2022.

Eric Braeden

Eric Braedan originated the iconic Victor Newman on The Young and Restless in 1980, launching the role of a lifetime. Reflecting on his longevity as a soap star in 2021, the actor told PEOPLE that retirement was the last thing on his mind.

"I feel very loyal to The Young and the Restless, very beholden to Victor and very beholden to the audience who has supported us for all those years," Braeden said. "I intend to stay as long as I can."

For his part, the actor took home a Daytime Emmy for outstanding lead actor in a drama series in 1988.

Helen Wagner

“Good morning, dear.” This opening line of As the World Turns is credited to Helen Wagner, who spoke these words when the show premiered on April 2, 1956. The actress portrayed the matriarchal Nancy Hughes for more than 50 years and was presented a Lifetime Achievement Emmy for her part in 2004.

Additionally, Wagner’s portrayal earned her the Guinness World Record for playing the same role on TV for the longest amount of time until her death on May 1, 2010. (William Roache of Coronation Street, a British soap, holds that record now.) She was 91.

Rachel Ames

Rachel Ames originated the role of Audrey Hardy on General Hospital from 1964 to 2007, making her the longest-running performer in that soap’s history. The actress later returned to the series in 2009, 2013 and 2015 and appeared on its spinoff, Port Charles, from 1997 to 2003.

For her part as General Hospital’s beloved registered nurse, Ames received three Daytime Emmy nominations (two for outstanding actress in a daytime drama series and one for outstanding supporting actress in a daytime drama series) and a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004.

Erika Slezak

One of the most enduring actors in soap history is Erika Slezak, best known as Victoria “Viki” Lord on One Life to Live. The actress — who initially auditioned for All My Children, per the New York Times — was offered to play the Lord family matriarch in 1971 and remained in the role until 2013. The part garnered Slezak the most Daytime Emmys for outstanding lead actress in a drama series of any other actress, with six wins.

Jeanne Cooper

Jeanne Cooper portrayed Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless for more than 40 years, first landing the role in 1973.

For playing “The Dame of Genoa City,” Cooper earned 10 Daytime Emmy nominations, including one for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series and nine for outstanding lead actress in a drama series. In 1993, she received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was honored with a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. 

Cooper died on May 8, 2013, at the age of 84.

Eileen Fulton

Eileen Fulton starred on As the World Turns from 1960 to 2010 as Lisa Grimaldi, who experienced quite the life of ups and downs on the series — experiencing eight marriages and three divorces. Fulton’s character, considered one of soap's most infamous vixens, led her to be inducted into the Soap Opera Hall of Fame in 1998. She also received a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004 for her work on the soap opera.

Don Hastings

Don Hastings dedicated 50 years of his life to embodying Dr. Robert "Bob" Hughes on As the World Turns. Following actors Bobby Alford and Ronnie Welch, who assumed the role before him, Hastings succeeded in the part from 1960 until the series’ 2010 finale, making him one of the longest-serving actors in American soap opera history — after his costar Helen Wagner, of course.