When She Was On: 1991
Who She Played: Julie Camalletti, whom she was offered three-year contract to portray (Sorvino said no)
Since Seeing the Light: Sorvino short stint on the soap proved a good move, because prostitution was in her acting future. Four years later Sorvino won a Best Supporting Actress Oscar for Woody Allen’s for playing a loopy hooker in
Mighty Aphrodite and charmed everyone in
Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion.
When He Was On: 1954-56
Who he played: Michael ‘Mike’ Bauer as a child, alongside his brother Glenn Walken
Since Seeing the Light: Walken is one of Hollywood’s favorite villains and weirdos, and is celebrated as such. He won an oscar for
The Deer Hunter, and has lent his trademark stuttery stagger to over a hundred films. He will play a devious museum security guard in the upcoming
The Maiden Heist.
When He Was On: Ten months in 1966
Who He Played: Dr. Jim Frazier, the show’s first regular black character.
Since Seeing the Light: In 1972, Williams starred in
Lady Sings the Blues opposite Diana Ross before joining
Star Wars and
Batman franchises, and eventually returning to the daytime tube in 2007 for a recurring role on
General Hospital: Night Shift. As a painter, Williams’ work is on display at the National Portrait Gallery and Smithsonian, among other spaces.
When She Was On: One month in 1967
Who She Played: Martha Frazier, wife of Dr. Jim and
Guiding Light’s first black female regular.
Since Seeing the Light: After her brief stint on
Guiding Light, Dee appeared in
Roots: The Next Generation and many movies, many of them—including
Their Eyes Were Watching God and
Jungle Fever—concerned with race. In 1999, Ruby and husband Ossie Davis penned
In This Life Together, a memoir discussing civil rights, black leader, and their open marriage.
When She Was On: 1998-2001
Who She Played: Susan Lemay, best friend of Lizzie Spaulding (Hayden Panetierre).
Since Seeing the Light: Brittany has been bouncing around young Hollywood in films like
John Tucker Must Die and
Hairspray, and she will reportedly play the title character in Josh Schwartz’ new
Gossip Girl spin-off,
Lily.
When He Was On: 1979
Who He Played: Chuck Haskell, a handsome, mysterious rogue with a short episode run
Since Seeing the Light: Those eyebrows have had quite the career—from
American Beauty to
The O.C. to the cult hit
Center Stage, Gallagher has solidly worked since his soap turn. He will next appear in
Adam, opposite Rose Byrne and Hugh Dancy.
When She Was On: 1993-95
Who She Played: Ginger, one of the wisecracking maids for the Spaulding Family
Since Seeing the Light: Perhaps most notable for playing press secretary C.J. Cregg on
The West Wing, Janney will soon star on Broadway in the new Dolly Parton musical
9 to 5, playing the feisty secretary Lily Tomlin portrayed in the movie version. She’s also played a dingbat mother in both
Hairspray and
Juno, and will play yet another quirky mom figure in
Away We Go, the indie film of the summer.
When He Was On: 1952 – 1962
Who He Played: Dr. Dick Grant, Jr., ineffectual father and widower.
Since Seeing the Light: Ever the Renaissance man, Lipton had acting and writing credits during his time with
Guiding Light. Now of course he’s most famous for producing and hosting
Inside the Actor’s Studio, but boasts screenwriter credits on four other soaps, writing Broadway scripts and lyrics, fencing, riding horses, and penning novels.
When She Was On: 1989
Who She Played: Babysitter Elise in a one-episode stint
Since Seeing the Light: The soap was her first television role and she’s been a regular in the medium ever since. As the slightly neurotic and charming titular character in
Ally McBeal, Flockhart put her
Guiding Light experience to good use by keeping watch over fake dancing babies. She now plays a congresswoman on
Brothers & Sisters, but her most recent project is becoming Mrs. Harrison Ford.
When He Was On: 1997
Who He Played: Slick talent scout Adrian ‘Sugar’ Hill
Since Seeing the Light: Diggs’s recurring role on
Guiding Lightended when he moved to film and very handily helped Stella get her groove back. He’s now expecting his first child with wife Idina Menzel, a fellow theater vet whose green-faced witch Elphaba in
Wicked frightened children with her powerful pipes. Their kid’s name better be Tony.
When He Was On: 1986
Who He Played: Detective Frank Minnelli
Since Seeing the Light: Victor Garber is one of Broadway’s biggest stars, known best for leading the cast of
Godspell, but has also been on several television shows, including
Eli Stone, Justice, Ugly Betty, and as the beloved Jack Bristow on
Alias.
When He Was On: 1966 – 1967
Who He Played: Dr. Jim Frazier (when Billy Dee Williams left the show)
Since Seeing the Light: The basso voice behind Darth Vader,
Lion King patriarch Mufasa, and that ubiquitous tagline, “This is CNN”, Jones won Tony Awards for
The Great White Hope and
Fences, and appeared in
Field of Dreams, Coming to America, and
Patriot Games.
