The 1980s were a golden age for daytime soap operas, with a plethora of heart-throb actors gracing our screens. But what happened to these iconic stars after they bid farewell to their beloved soap roles? Let's take a closer look at the lives of 11 of these legendary actors and their post-soap careers.
The Disappearance of the Heartthrobs
Terry Lester: Lester's journey began on The Young and the Restless in 1980, where he played Jack Abbott for 9 years. He then moved to Santa Barbara as Mason Capwell, appearing in 193 episodes. Lester's career took a turn in the 90s, with episodic roles in Star Trek: Voyager and Diagnosis Murder. His last role was on Walker, Texas Ranger, and he passed away at 53.
Lorenzo Lamas: Lamas, known for his role on Falcon Crest as Lance Cumson, has continued to act occasionally. However, his true passion lies in aviation. He is a qualified commercial helicopter and airplane pilot, using his skills to fly disadvantaged children to camp and transport people who cannot travel by domestic flights.
Tom Watt: Watt's iconic role as Lofty Holloway on EastEnders made him a household name. He then transitioned into sports journalism and broadcasting, even ghostwriting David Beckham's biography, My Side. Watt has occasionally returned to the screen, including a 2022 role on EastEnders.
Kin Shriner: Shriner's on-screen journey began on General Hospital, which he left in 2024. Before that, he played Jeb Hampton on Texas and Mike Gallagher on Rituals. He is currently focusing on recovery after a botched surgery, and his future on screen remains uncertain.
Doug Davidson: With almost 4000 episode credits on The Young and the Restless, Davidson is a veteran of the soap world. After his soap run, he appeared in a 2022 episode of a podcast and is currently working on a pre-production project called Season of Rage.
Sean Wilson: Wilson's iconic role as Martin Platt on Coronation Street spanned 20 years. Post-soap, he ventured into cheese making, owning his own cheese company, Saddleworth Cheese. However, the business was dissolved in 2018.
Peter Barton: Barton's career took off with his role in The Young and the Restless, which he played for 211 episodes. He also appeared in Friday the 13th: The Final Chapter and various TV cameos. Barton has since retired from acting and enjoys a quiet life away from the spotlight.
Todd Curtis: Curtis' career began on Capital in 1982, and he rose to fame with his role as Skip Evans on The Young and the Restless. His last role was in the 1996 action feature American Tigers. Since then, he has kept a low profile, away from the screen.
Larkin Malloy: Malloy's soap career was a whirlwind, with roles on Guiding Light, All My Children, and The Edge of Night. He slowed down in the 90s, appearing in Law & Order and As the World Turns. Malloy's last role was posthumously on Tainted Dreams, and he passed away in 2016.
Christopher Atkins: Atkins' controversial role as swim coach Peter Richards on Dallas made headlines. Since then, he has taken on smaller movie projects and founded Rocky River Outdoor Products. He is now due for a comeback with four acting projects in the works.
Lane Davies: Davies' soap career began on Santa Barbara, where he played a total of 901 episodes. He also appeared on Days of Our Lives. After his soap run, he has taken a break from acting, but is reportedly due to return with three projects in post-production.
The Legacy of the Heartthrobs
These actors have certainly left their mark on the world of soap operas, but their post-soap careers have taken them down various paths. From aviation to sports journalism, cheese making to retirement, these heartthrobs have shown that life after soap can be just as exciting and diverse. As fans, we can only hope that some of these actors will return to the screen, bringing their iconic charm to new projects. But for now, we can appreciate their contributions to the golden age of daytime soap operas and the impact they have had on popular culture.
