Soap Legends Revisited: 25 Daytime TV Icons of 2025 That Surprised Fans
Soap Legends Revisited: Where 25 Daytime TV Icons Are in 2025
They didn’t need explosions, sports cars, or billion-dollar budgets. With just a glance, a whispered confession, or a single heart-wrenching line, they held millions of viewers in the palm of their hand. They were the legends of American daytime television—icons who made us weep, swoon, and believe in love, betrayal, redemption, and hope. And though time has passed, their stories, their faces, and their power live on.
In 2025, we look back at 25 of the most iconic figures in soap opera history—those who once defined an era and those still shining bright. Here’s where they are now, and why they’ll never be forgotten.
1. Anthony Geary – Luke Spencer, General Hospital
Born in 1947, Anthony Geary transformed Luke Spencer into the most complex anti-hero daytime TV had ever seen. His 1981 wedding to Laura remains a historic broadcast moment. Geary retired in 2015 and now resides in Amsterdam, living a quiet life of reflection. Yet Luke’s legacy lives on in every supercouple that followed.
2. Genie Francis – Laura Spencer, General Hospital
Francis was just a teenager when she stepped into Laura’s shoes. Her strength and grace anchored decades of GH storytelling. Still active on the show in 2025, she remains a cherished pillar of daytime drama and enjoys a peaceful life with husband Jonathan Frakes.
3. Deidre Hall – Marlena Evans, Days of Our Lives
From exorcisms to heroic rescues, Marlena Evans—played by Deidre Hall since 1976—has done it all. At 76, Hall continues to bring compassion and elegance to Salem, a true matriarch both on-screen and in the hearts of fans.
4. Eric Braeden – Victor Newman, The Young and the Restless
Since 1980, Braeden has embodied power, cunning, and control as Victor Newman. Even in his 80s, he remains a vital force on Y&R. Off-screen, he’s a cancer survivor and outspoken advocate, admired as much for his strength as for his iconic portrayal.
5. Katherine Kelly Lang – Brooke Logan, The Bold and the Beautiful
Since 1987, Lang has walked the tightrope of love, scandal, and survival as Brooke Logan. In 2025, she remains one of the longest-running leading ladies in soaps, blending resilience with undeniable star power.
6. Susan Lucci – Erica Kane, All My Children
After 19 Emmy nominations, Lucci finally won in 1999, solidifying her status as the queen of soaps. Although AMC ended in 2011, Lucci remains a TV presence and philanthropic force. Erica Kane’s fierce ambition and glamour live on through her.
7. Jacklyn Zeman – Bobbie Spencer, General Hospital
Zeman warmed hearts as Bobbie Spencer for over four decades. Her death in 2023 was deeply felt across the soap world. Today, she’s remembered for her fiery spirit, emotional range, and enduring kindness.
8. Peter Reckell – Bo Brady, Days of Our Lives
Bo Brady defined the rugged soap hero, and Peter Reckell’s chemistry with Kristian Alfonso’s Hope became legendary. Now focused on family and activism, he returns for special episodes that remind fans of what made Bo unforgettable.
9. Melody Thomas Scott – Nikki Newman, The Young and the Restless
Nikki’s transformation from troubled dancer to respected matriarch mirrored Scott’s own personal triumphs. In 2025, she remains a steady presence on Y&R, beloved for her vulnerability and strength.
10. Ronn Moss – Ridge Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful
The original Ridge, Moss portrayed the suave designer from 1987 to 2012. After leaving the show, he pursued music and international projects. Fans still remember him as the soulful heart of B&B‘s golden era.
11. Michael E. Knight – Tad Martin, All My Children
Tad “The Cad” evolved from mischief to maturity under Knight’s skilled hand. Now on General Hospital, he continues to charm audiences with his humor and sincerity.
12. Kin Shriner – Scotty Baldwin, General Hospital
Since 1977, Shriner brought wit and complexity to Scotty Baldwin. His longevity and off-screen warmth made him a fan favorite. As of 2025, his legacy remains secure in Port Charles.
13. Drake Hogestyn – John Black, Days of Our Lives
Hogestyn’s John Black was a masterclass in reinvention. Spy, priest, romantic hero—he did it all. His passing in 2024 after a battle with cancer was a devastating blow, but his legacy endures through decades of unforgettable stories.
14. Jess Walton – Jill Abbott, The Young and the Restless
As Jill Abbott, Walton brought fire, ambition, and vulnerability to the screen. Though semi-retired, she makes occasional returns that remind viewers of her iconic power.
15. John McCook – Eric Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful
The heart of the Forrester family since 1987, McCook’s dignified portrayal of Eric won him a long-overdue Emmy in 2022. Still active in 2025, he remains a steady patriarch on and off screen.
16. Cady McClain – Dixie Cooney, All My Children
Dixie and Tad’s love story was the soul of AMC. McClain has since expanded into writing and directing, continuing to craft emotional narratives behind the camera.
17. Finola Hughes – Anna Devane, General Hospital
As spy-turned-commissioner Anna Devane, Hughes remains one of the most layered heroines in daytime. Still captivating audiences in 2025, she’s a testament to strength and evolution.
18. Kristian Alfonso – Hope Brady, Days of Our Lives
Hope Brady fought crime and heartbreak with equal intensity. Alfonso left the show in 2020 but her impact is still felt in every strong woman who followed.
19. Doug Davidson – Paul Williams, The Young and the Restless
The moral compass of Y&R, Davidson played Paul from 1978. Though often sidelined in recent years, his absence only underscores how deeply he’s missed.
20. Susan Flannery – Stephanie Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful
Stephanie was the lioness of the Forrester clan. Flannery’s retirement in 2012 was the end of an era, but her legacy—fierce, intelligent, protective—will never fade.
21. Walt Willey – Jackson Montgomery, All My Children
As attorney Jackson Montgomery, Willey brought charm and principle to Pine Valley. He’s since taken to stand-up comedy and theater, still delighting audiences in new ways.
22. Tristan Rogers – Robert Scorpio, General Hospital
Rogers’ Scorpio added espionage flair to GH’s drama. Still appearing in 2025, his wise-cracking Aussie spy remains a genre icon.
23. Suzanne Rogers – Maggie Horton, Days of Our Lives
Maggie has been a beacon of resilience since 1973. Suzanne Rogers’ real-life health battles only added depth to her performance. In 2025, she continues to grace Salem with grace.
24. Peter Bergman – Jack Abbott, The Young and the Restless
A soap titan since 1989, Bergman’s portrayal of Jack is both elegant and emotionally raw. His legendary rivalry with Victor Newman remains a masterclass in dramatic storytelling.
25. Lauralee Bell – Christine “Cricket” Blair, The Young and the Restless
Born into soap royalty, Bell made her own mark as Christine Blair. Now also a producer and director, she carries the Bell legacy forward with integrity and vision.
The Echo of Their Voices
Time may have moved on. Faces aged. Some lights dimmed. But these 25 legends gave us stories that still pulse with emotion. They weren’t just characters on screen—they were family, guiding us through afternoons of tears and triumphs. Their names are etched not just in credits, but in our hearts.
Which soap star moved you most? Whose story stayed with you all these years? Let us know in the comments—and subscribe for more heartfelt journeys through the unforgettable world of daytime television.
Because no matter how many years pass, the legends live on.
