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Who are your faves’ faves?

 

In covering soap operas for the past eight and a half years, we’ve come upon many a fan who’s been all too excited to reveal their favorite soap actor.  Many follow the same actor from soap to soap. Others adore favorite couples -- and let no other man or woman come between said couples or the fans will have a major conniption.

With the fans always being so vocal and ready to admit to having favorites, Soapdom thought it was high time to find out just who the soap opera actors liked, respected, enjoyed working with, etc. In other words, who are the favorite actors of the soap opera actors?

We asked quite a few of them -- over 50! You’ll find it interesting that many say fellow actors from their same soap are their favorites.  Many name actors from competing shows.  One actor in particular is a personal favorite of quite a few. 

We won’t keep you in suspense any longer. Here’s the Soapdom scoop…

Kathy Brier (Marcie, OLTL): Robin Strasser (Dorian, OLTL). She’s a consummate actress and she always surprises me.  Whenever I watch her work, I’m in awe. She just blows me away.

Lawrence Saint-Victor (Remy, GL): My favorite soap star, you’re gonna get me in trouble now --- When I come into work and I see Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL), she’s just so personable, she is a force to reckon.  She’s the sweetest person. She’s amazing to watch. She’s inspiring.

Heather Tom (Katie, B&B, ex-Kelly, OLTL, ex-Victoria, Y&R): I’m so biased. I worked with so many great people. I don’t how you choose between Melody Thomas-Scott (Nikki, Y&R) and Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R) and Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL) and Robin Strasser (Dorian, OLTL) and Kassie DePaiva (Blair, OLTL).  I don’t know if I could choose just one.  Oh yeah, and David Tom (ex Billy, Y&R, ex Paul, OLTL)  The ultimate bias, nepotism.

Justin Breuning (ex Jamie, AMC): I can’t say my wife [Alexa Havins (Babe, AMC)], that’s just cheesy.  I would say Michael Knight (Tad, AMC), the guy who plays my father.  I like comedy. Or Cameron Mathison (Ryan, AMC), ‘cuz he’s so damn sexy!”

David Chisum (Miles, OLTL): Melissa Archer (Natalie, OLTL).

Kate Linder (Esther, Y&R): Jeanne Cooper (Kay, Y&R).  I’ve worked with her for 25 years. She’s my pal.

Minae Noji (Dr. Kelly Lee, GH; GH Nightshift): I would have to say Susan Lucci (Erica, AMC) because I’ve watch that show, All My Children, since I was a kid.  There’s something about her that’s ageless.  I look at her and I think, what kind of magical potion does she have and can I have that?

Nazanin Boniadi (Leyla, GH; GH: Nightshift): Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R).

Amanda Baker (Jolene, GH: Nightshift):  I would have to agree with Naz.  Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R).  She knocks it out of the ball park. She’s one of the most inspiring actresses that I’ve seen.

Angel Wainwright (Regina, GH: Nightshift): I would agree with them.  Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R).

Darcy Rose Byrne (Abby, Y&R): They’re all soooo good.  They’re all my favorites, Y&R and B&B.

Christina Chambers (Marty, OLTL): The only person I actually grew up watching was Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL). I have to admit she’s lovely.  She’s class. Dignity personified. And, she makes you feel so welcome. At the same time, your stomach is really turning.

Kassie De Paiva (Blair, OLTL): There are many actors I’ve met through the years and I love personally and I love their work.  My hat is off to anybody who can endure the days!

Ewa Da Cruz (Vienna, ATWT): I love my partner, Trent Dawson (Henry, ATWT). He’s the funniest guy, ever.

Melissa Archer (Natalie, OLTL): My favorite soap actor is Michele Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R).   I keep wanting to call her, Phyllis!  (laughter)  I used to actually watch Y&R all the time.  I haven’t been able to since I’ve been on the One Life to Live, it’s really hard to catch up with everything. I’m still catching up on my show. (laughter)

Kristen Alderson (Star, OLTL): I guess my biggest idol is Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL).  My favorite actresses are Robin Strasser (Dorian, OLTL) , Kassie DePaiva (Blair, OLTL), and Erika Slezak.   I know I have three and I’m only supposed to have one, but I love all of them and they’re all like idols to me.

Brittany Underwood (Langston, OLTL): My favorite soap actor?
Brandon Buddy (Cole, OLTL):  Don’t say yourself. 
Brittany: Oh God…I would never say that.  I actually like Beth Ann. BethAnn Bonner, who plays Talia.  I think she does a great job on One Life to Live.

Portia Reiners (Britney, OLTL): I love BethAnn as well.

Brandon Buddy (Cole, OLTL): I like Trevor St. John (Todd, OLTL).

Murray Bartlett (Cyrus, GL): Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GL) is probably one of my favorites, probably because I got a chance to work with her. It’s hard to choose. I’ve become a huge fan of all the people on Guiding Light, especially the people I work with because you get to see how well they work.  Fortunately, they’re all really lovely people.  I’m working with Mandy Bruno (Marina), we’re each other’s love interests. She’s an absolute doll, a great actress and a great person to work with.

Rachel Melvin (Chelsea, DOOL): I don’t want to be close minded, but my co-star, Blake Berris  (Nick, DOOL) is one of the most phenomenal actors and I really, really believe he’s going to be really, really big one day. So, I have to say him. My favorite actress is from General Hospital, but I have no idea what her name is!  She’s got long brown and I want to say she’s Sonny’s sister.”  Then it comes to her, “Yes, yes! Nancy Lee Grahn.  She reminds me of Meryl Streep.  I think she’s fabulous.”

Michelle Ray Smith, (Ava, GL): Chrystal Chappell (Olivia, GL), who plays my mother on the show, absolutely phenomenal.  I have so much respect for her. She’s so smart and talented and she’s patient and she actually helps me out a lot and I have the utmost respect for her.

Stephanie Johnson (Shayna Rose, DOOL): Mary Beth Evans (Kayla, DOOL), she plays my mother on Days of Our Lives and she is just one phenomenal woman, very talented, beautiful inside and out.

Darin Brooks (Max, DOOL): I like watching Thaao (Penghlis), you know Tony DiMera, he’s got that good sinister (thing going)….he’s just enjoyable to watch.

Matthew Ashford (Jack, DOOL): Stephen Nichols (Steve, DOO), who plays my brother.

Dominic Raines (Dr. Leo Julian, GH: Nightshift): I’d definitely throw out Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R). My brother, Iman Nazemzadeh, briefly appeared on Y&R, but I got to know the show through my grandmother and aunts.  The show was always on.

Brandon Beemer, (Shawn, DOOL): It would have to be Thaao (Penghlis). He’s so much fun to watch.

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Ty Treadway (ex- Colin and Troy, OLTL): Anthony Geary (Luke, GH), the obvious one.  But to be honest with you, Lesli Kaye (Felicia, B&B;  ex-Lois, GH; ex-Molly, ATWT) has been knocking it out of the park. I was so blown away.  I was so moved and so touched.  My mother, who unfortunately suffered from breast cancer, she isn’t with me anymore.  I was so moved by the honesty, the dignity, the grace she brought to that role and that storyline.

Dan Gaulthier (ex-Kevin, OLTL): Trevor St. John (Todd, OLTL)

Marj Dusay: (Alexandra, GL): I have a number.  I am absolutely enchanted by the quality of soap acting. If we have a national theatre company, it’s the soap family. It’s a delicate achievement.

Marcy Rylan (Lizzie, GL): I’m not being cheesy.  It’s honestly the truth. It’s Beth Chamberlain (Beth, GL), the actress who plays my mother on the show.  I was an extra on Guiding Light, when I was a teen-ager.  I did it for one day to get some experience and I watched her and I thought she was the most amazing actress I’ve ever seen.  Now, I’m grown up and I’m getting to work with her.

Nathaniel Marston (Michael, OLTL): Bob Woods (Bo, OLTL).

Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL): I’m really enjoying watching Laura Wright (Carly, GH; ex Cassie, GL) take over a new role on General Hospital. She was my sister on Guiding Light and I miss her tremendously and I adore her.  I think she’s a wonderful actress. I love Jeanne Cooper (Kay, Y&R). I love Susan Flannery (Stephanie, B&B).  I love the dames.

Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GL): Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL) first of all is incredible.  She makes it look so easy. She’s so likable in so many ways.  I like watching her work. I’ve always been a fan of Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH). I always thought he was kind of a cool, sort of edgy guy and I enjoy watching him.

Hunter Allen (Noah, Y&R): I like ‘em all. They’re all great actors.

Bradford Anderson (Spinelli, GH): Steve Burton (Jason, aka Stone Cold, GH), the guy that I follow around everyday and I look up to him.  He’s incredibly cool.  I’m just psyched that I get to spend that much time with him.

Dylan Fergus (Noah, Passions): I’m a big fan of James Hyde (Sam) on Passions, not only because he plays my father and that’s a little self-indulgent, he’s probably one of the “funnest” guys to work with.

Walt Willey (Jackson, AMC): Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R).

Marie Wilson (Meg, ATWT): It’s so hard picking one person because everybody works so hard.  I really can’t pick one person, except Roger Howarth (Paul, ATWT), he’s just great.

Kamar De Los Reyes (Antonio, OLTL): “I’d have to say there are a lot of them, but I love Robert Woods (Bo, OLTL). Besides being a very good friend of mine, and confidante, I think he is your classic, effortless, seamless daytime actor.  I also think Trevor St. John (Todd, OLTL), Bree Williamson (Jessica, OLTL), Forbes March (Nash, OLTL) and Renee Elise Goldsberry (Evangeline, OLTL) do wonderful jobs. It’s hard to pick just one. I love them all.” When asked about himself, he laughed, “Now at 40, I think I’m coming into my own.”  His wife, Sheri Saum (ex Keri,OLTL), whispered, “He’s my favorite actor.”

Windsor Harmon (Thorne, B&B): Probably Susan Flannery (Stephanie, B&B) and Ronn Moss (Ridge, B&B).

Heidi Mueller (Kay, Passions): I think Juliet Mills (Tabitha, Passions) is my favorite.

Emily Harper (Fancy, Passions): It is a blessing to work with Juliet Mills (Tabitha, Passions). Juliet is amazing. All of our cast, I’m very proud of it.

Liza Huber (Gwen, Passions): My mom, of course!  (Susan Lucci of All My Children)

Galen Gering (Luis Lopez-Fitzgerald, Passions): “Besides myself?” he responded tongue planted firmly in cheek and a great big twinkle in his eye! “They’re all so good!”

Adrienne Frantz (Amber, Y&R, B&B): On Y&R I really enjoy working with Jeanne Cooper (Kay) a lot and Jess Walton (Jill) and on B&B, Susan Flannery (Stephanie).  They have a lot to teach me.  I’m like a little sponge around them.

Renee Goldsberry (ex-Evangeline, OLTL): I don’t have one.  It’s too hard to say.  There are so many who are so good and every time I think I’ve narrowed it down to about 25, I meet somebody new.

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Daniel Goddard (Cane, Y&R): I’m torn between Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R) and Eric Braeden (Y&R).  I have incredible respect for both of them. They are the essence of debonair, sophistication, class.  They’re ruthless at the same time and both have given me some very solid advice -- how to take a scene and make it more than just a scene, how to figure things out and figure out story line.

Leven Rambin (Lily/Ava, AMC): I really like David Canary (Adam/Stuart, AMC).  He’s so classic and handsome and so well trained.

Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R): Justin Deas (Buzz, GL) is amazing.  Kim Zimmer (Reva, GL), Erika Sleazak (Viki, OLTL) and Gina Tognoni (Dinah, GL) for the ladies and Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R) for the guys.

Christian LeBlanc (Michael, Y&R): My favorite actor in daytime, but I just worked with Ted Shackleford (William, Y&R) and it was some of the hardest stuff I had to do and he talked me through it.

Michael Easton (John, OLTL): My favorite soap actor is Bob Woods (Bo, OLTL) and I get the privilege of working with him almost every day.  I learn from him and he’s a great guy on the camera and off-camera.

Kristoff St. John (Neil, Y&R): There’s a few of them, Maurice Benard (Sonny, GH) I like very much.  Tony Geary (Luke, GH), Peter Bergman (Jack, Y&R), Eric Braeden (Victor, Y&R), Michelle Stafford (Phyllis, Y&R). I know I haven’t committed to one person so I’m being politically correct…Erika Slezak (Viki, OLTL), David Canary (Adam/Stuart, AMC), Michael Zaslow – back in the day, even Tommy Eplin.

Rebecca Herbst (Elizabeth, GH): Laura Wright (Carly, GH), I think she’s amazing.

And some actors told us what their all time favorite soap opera is.

Sebastian Roche (James Craig/Jerry Jacks, GH): When I was living in the Carribbean, I used to watch All My Children with my father in 1980 and we were living on a boat.  We followed it until we took off on sail boat.  

Annie Wersching (Amelia, GH): General Hospital is the only soap opera that I ever watched.  When I first moved out here four years ago, I auditioned for it and tested for it.  That’s when I started watching and I was totally hooked. I auditioned for other shows, but I started watching this one. (Far as a favorite actor?) The people that I work with, like Maurice Benard (Sonny) and Kelly Monaco (Sam).

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