Tom Selleck
YEARS ON SHOW: 1974–75
ROLE: Jed Andrews
Around five years later, Tom had his breakout role in the series Magnum, P.I. and later starred in Blue Bloods.
David Hasselhoff
YEARS ON SHOW: 1975–1982
ROLE: Dr. William “Snapper” Foster Jr.
The soap opera was David‘s first major role and he left the show to lead the series Knight Rider in 1982.
David‘s ex-wife Pamela Bach was also on the Young and The Restless. She sadly died at the age of 62 in March 2025.
Long before they were lighting up movie screens or headlining primetime dramas, these celebrities were grinding it out on daytime TV—and many of them did so on The Young and the Restless. As the most-watched soap opera for decades, Y&R has quietly been a launchpad for some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
You might be shocked to discover just how many A-listers first flexed their acting muscles in Genoa City. From early ’80s icons to 2020s superstars, this list walks you through 14 actors who were on The Young and the Restless before they became household names—ranked from earliest to most recent.
Why Soap Operas Like Y&R Are Star-Making Machines
Ever wonder why so many top-tier actors started in soaps? It’s because daytime TV is no joke. The grind is intense—sometimes filming dozens of scenes a day—and the emotional range required is off the charts. If you can survive Y&R, you can thrive in Hollywood.
The List—14 Actors Who Got Their Start on The Young and the Restless
Let’s break down these stars, when they appeared, and what they’ve gone on to do. You’ll be surprised how many you recognize.
1. David Hasselhoff (1975–1982)
Role: Dr. William “Snapper” Foster
Before Baywatch, before red swim trunks, and way before Knight Rider, Hasselhoff played a young doctor on Y&R. It was his breakout role and proved he had the charm to become a global phenomenon.
2. Tom Selleck (1974)
Role: Jed Andrews
Yes, Magnum himself spent a short time in Genoa City. Selleck’s appearance on Y&R was brief but critical in helping him score bigger TV roles later in the ‘70s.
3. Paul Walker (1992–1993)
Role: Brandon Collins
Before he was tearing up the streets in Fast & Furious, Paul Walker played a heartthrob teen on Y&R. It was an early hint at the charisma that would later launch him to superstardom.
4. Eva Longoria (2001–2003)
Role: Isabella Braña
Before becoming a Desperate Housewife, Eva was causing serious drama on Y&R. Her time on the show showcased her ability to mix sweetness with a little bit of sass—just what ABC needed later on.
5. Shemar Moore (1994–2005)
Role: Malcolm Winters
Moore became a fan favorite thanks to his smooth-talking, soulful performance. He parlayed this into a long-running role on Criminal Minds and later S.W.A.T..
6. Justin Hartley (2014–2016)
Role: Adam Newman
Long before This Is Us made you cry weekly, Hartley played a much more devious character on Y&R. His version of Adam was intense, layered, and irresistible.
7. Vivica A. Fox (1990)
Role: Stephanie Simmons
She only stayed briefly, but Vivica left a strong impression. She later exploded into fame with roles in Independence Day and Kill Bill.
8. Adam Brody (1999)
Role: Brief role as a high schooler
Before he was Seth Cohen on The O.C., Brody had a small blink-and-you-miss-it role on Y&R. Still, even in those few scenes, his awkward-charming energy shined through.
9. Lyndsy Fonseca (2001–2005)
Role: Colleen Carlton
Fans of How I Met Your Mother and Nikita may not know Lyndsy was a Y&R regular during her teen years. It gave her the emotional depth she’d later bring to primetime.
10. Josh Duhamel (1999)
Role: Not on Y&R directly, but his soap roots began around the same time as a guest—before hitting it big with All My Children
A small early Y&R cameo helped Duhamel build momentum before his major soap breakout. His later roles in Transformers and romantic comedies built on those early chops.
11. Eva Marcille (2008)
Role: Tyra Hamilton
After winning America’s Next Top Model, Eva tried her hand at acting—and Y&R gave her the platform. She later landed more dramatic roles and reality TV fame.
12. Chrishell Stause (2016)
Role: Bethany Bryant
Now a Netflix sensation thanks to Selling Sunset, Chrishell once played a wild child on Y&R. She’s now a reality and fashion icon, but her soap roots taught her how to own a scene.
13. Justin Baldoni (2008)
Role: Graham Darros
The Jane the Virgin star brought early emotional range to his short stint on Y&R. He’s now a director, producer, and advocate—but it all started here.
14. Sasha Calle (2020)
Role: Lola Rosales
One of the most recent Y&R grads to go big, Sasha jumped from Genoa City straight into the DC Universe as Supergirl. Talk about leveling up!
How The Young and the Restless Prepares Actors for Stardom
Intense Filming Schedules
Soaps shoot fast. Like five episodes a week fast. Actors learn to memorize quickly, perform under pressure, and develop discipline—essential tools for Hollywood success.
Range and Raw Emotion
Soaps thrive on drama—betrayals, heartbreak, murder, amnesia (you name it). That gives actors the opportunity to explore the full emotional spectrum daily.
Surprising Career Pivots From Soap to Stardom
From Daytime to Blockbusters
Many of these stars went from budget-conscious daytime sets to multi-million-dollar franchises. Think Paul Walker’s jump from Y&R to Fast & Furious.
From Soap Queens to Reality Stars
Chrishell Stause and Eva Marcille made headlines not just for acting, but for building personal brands in reality TV and fashion.
Final Thoughts—Soap Stardom Is a Legit Launchpad
It’s easy to underestimate soap operas, but they’ve long been one of Hollywood’s most reliable training grounds. These 14 actors prove that getting your start on The Young and the Restless doesn’t just build experience—it builds careers. Whether they stayed for a season or several years, they left their mark and took those skills straight to the top.
