They say fast-paced soap operas are good training grounds for primetime gigs, and that must be the case, considering several former soap stars have garnered Primetime Emmy nods this year! In light of the official announcement of the 65th Annual Primetime Emmy Award nominees, Soap Opera Network brings you the who, what and where of stars who’ve given sudsers a go.
Even though daytime serials are typically known as being quite dramatic, the shows pump out lots of comedic talent, too. Just look at Alec Baldwin (ex-Billy Aldrich, “The Doctors;” ex-Joshua Rush, “Knots Landing”), who’s been nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Comedy for “30 Rock,” along with his co-star Jane Krakowski (ex-Tonya, “Another World”), who’s been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy for the same show. Or look at “Modern Family’s” Ed O’Neill (ex-Lenny, “Another World”) who’s nominated for Outstanding Supporter Actor in a Comedy.
Both Melissa Leo (ex-Linda Warner, “All My Children”) and Elaine Stritch (ex-Wilma Bern, “One Life to Live,” ex-Mrs. DeGroot,”The Edge of Night”) have been nominated for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy, for “Louise” and “30 Rock” respectively. And of course, we can’t forget about “The Bold and the Beautiful’s” Betty White (ex-Ann Douglas), who’s been nominated as an Outstanding Reality Show Host for her work on “Betty White’s Off Their Rockers.”
Meanwhile, several former soap stars have stayed true to their dramatic pasts with equally dramatic current roles. Bryan Cranston (ex-Dean Stella, “One Life to Live”) has been nominated for Outstanding Actor in a Drama for his work on “Breaking Bad,” while Robin Wright (ex-Kelly Perkins, “Santa Barbara”) has been nominated for Outstanding Actress in a Drama for her work on Netflix’s “House of Cards.” Christine Baranski (ex-Jewel Maniscalo, “AMC”) received the Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama nod for her work on “The Good Wife,” while Robert Morse (ex-Harry the Bookie, “All My Children”) got an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama nom for his stint on “Mad Men.”
Congratulations, former daytime stars!