There’s little doubt that ’90s daytime television was super addictive.
Long before TikTok heartthrobs and Netflix sensations, soap operas gave viewers their daily doses of drama, romance, and heartbreak. We tuned in religiously, living vicariously through our favorite characters while crushing on those we deemed swoon-worthy. These actors didn’t just make our hearts race – they shaped an entire generation’s idea of love and loyalty. So here’s a look back at the most popular soap stars of the era and where life has taken them since.
General Hospital / ABC
When Jonathan Jackson debuted on General Hospital in 1993, it wasn’t just Lucky Spencer’s rebelliousness that had viewers hooked. It was the actor that made the character’s heartbreak feel so real. His charming and soulful portrayal of Lucky quickly made him one of daytime television’s brightest young stars, as he conveyed adult emotions to a young audience who were still figuring out how to spell “relationship.” By the late ’90s, Jackson had already won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, which solidified his place in soap history.
Nashville / ABC
These days, Jackson’s heart remains as creatively full as ever. After leaving General Hospital multiple times to pursue other projects, he found a second calling in music. His band, Enation, formed with his brother Richard Lee Jackson, tours and releases indie rock albums featuring songs that are personal and spiritually infused. Jackson also starred in Nashville as the brooding singer-songwriter Avery Barkley, showcasing a seamless fusion of his acting and musical talents. Now living a quieter life with his family, Jonathan continues to pop back into General Hospital when the story calls for it.
The Young and the Restless / CBS
Before he was chasing serial killers on primetime television, Shemar Moore was stealing hearts in Genoa City. Moore made his daytime debut as Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless in 1994. With a jawline that could cut glass and an easy charm, he quickly became a standout on the show. His portrayal of Malcolm wasn’t just about looks because he brought a rawness and vulnerability to the role that left every scene dripping with emotion. It’s no wonder he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2000.
S.W.A.T. / CBS
Today, Moore is a bona fide television icon. After leaving The Young and the Restless, he became a household name as Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, playing the tough but mindful profiler for over a decade. More recently, he’s been the leading man in CBS’s action series S.W.A.T. Away from acting, Moore is refreshingly open about mental health and often shares glimpses of his life on social media. Despite his massive success, he never forgets his roots, returning briefly to the soap in 2019 for a special tribute episode. For many, Moore is the perfect blend of ’90s nostalgia and present-day dreamboat.
Joshua Morrow remains synonymous with Nick Newman because it’s rare to see such staying power in daytime television. When Morrow first appeared on The Young and the Restless in 1994, his classic good looks and earnest demeanor instantly made him one of the soap’s biggest heartthrobs. His on-screen romance with Sharon Case’s Sharon Collins felt achingly real and became one of the most iconic supercouples on daytime television.
Over three decades later, Morrow is still anchoring The Young and the Restless as Nick, a character who’s evolved through loss, love, betrayal, and redemption. That consistency is no small feat in a genre famous for dramatic exits and sudden deaths. Outside of soaps, Morrow joined a boy band called 3Deep during the ’90s pop explosion. But acting remained his true calling. Morrow often speaks about the gratitude he feels for his soap career and his loyalty to his fans.
Days of Our Lives / NBC
Jensen Ackles was winning over hearts as Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives long before he hunted his first demon. Joining the cast in 1997, Ackles brought a fresh-faced sincerity to the soap that instantly made him a fan favorite. His work as Eric earned him several Soap Opera Digest Awards, including Outstanding Male Newcomer, and legions of loyal fans. After leaving the show, Ackles’ star rose thanks to his portrayal of Dean Winchester in Supernatural. His character’s dry wit and surprising vulnerability turned him into a global phenomenon over the show’s epic 15-season run.
The Boys / Amazon Prime Video
After Supernatural ended, Ackles went on to play Beau Arlen in Big Sky, a gritty crime drama where he flexed his darker side. He later landed the role of Soldier Boy in Amazon’s dark superhero satire The Boys, along with various other projects. Off-screen, Ackles co-owns Family Business Beer Company, a brewery in Texas, where he gets to showcase his entrepreneurial skills. Fans continue to follow him not just for his acting talent but for the way he stays humble and grounded, which is a rare feat in Hollywood.
Days of Our Lives / NBC
When Jason Cook walked into Days of Our Lives in 1999 as Shawn-Douglas Brady, it was like someone had turned up the volume on ’90s heartthrob energy. His boy-next-door charm, brooding intensity, and electric chemistry with Kirsten Storms’ Belle Black made their love story one of the soap’s most enduring romances. Cook played Shawn until 2006 when he decided to seek new creative challenges. He pivoted to General Hospital, where he played Dr. Matt Hunter.
Something’s Brewing / Formula Features
But Cook opted out of his contract with the soap as his passion was clearly pulling him beyond acting. The actor has since taken up writing, directing, and producing. Over the years, Cook has worked on several novels and various independent films, such as The Creatress, starring Lindy Booth, Peter Bogdanovich, and Fran Drescher. However, his philanthropic reality show, co-produced with the Mandela family, called LifeCHANGE was by far the real standout.
Long before TikTok heartthrobs and Netflix sensations, soap operas gave viewers their daily doses of drama, romance, and heartbreak. We tuned in religiously, living vicariously through our favorite characters while crushing on those we deemed swoon-worthy. These actors didn’t just make our hearts race – they shaped an entire generation’s idea of love and loyalty. So here’s a look back at the most popular soap stars of the era and where life has taken them since.
Jonathan Jackson (Lucky Spencer, General Hospital)
General Hospital / ABC
When Jonathan Jackson debuted on General Hospital in 1993, it wasn’t just Lucky Spencer’s rebelliousness that had viewers hooked. It was the actor that made the character’s heartbreak feel so real. His charming and soulful portrayal of Lucky quickly made him one of daytime television’s brightest young stars, as he conveyed adult emotions to a young audience who were still figuring out how to spell “relationship.” By the late ’90s, Jackson had already won multiple Daytime Emmy Awards, which solidified his place in soap history.
Nashville / ABC
These days, Jackson’s heart remains as creatively full as ever. After leaving General Hospital multiple times to pursue other projects, he found a second calling in music. His band, Enation, formed with his brother Richard Lee Jackson, tours and releases indie rock albums featuring songs that are personal and spiritually infused. Jackson also starred in Nashville as the brooding singer-songwriter Avery Barkley, showcasing a seamless fusion of his acting and musical talents. Now living a quieter life with his family, Jonathan continues to pop back into General Hospital when the story calls for it.
Shemar Moore (Malcolm Winters, The Young and the Restless)
The Young and the Restless / CBS
Before he was chasing serial killers on primetime television, Shemar Moore was stealing hearts in Genoa City. Moore made his daytime debut as Malcolm Winters on The Young and the Restless in 1994. With a jawline that could cut glass and an easy charm, he quickly became a standout on the show. His portrayal of Malcolm wasn’t just about looks because he brought a rawness and vulnerability to the role that left every scene dripping with emotion. It’s no wonder he won a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in 2000.
S.W.A.T. / CBS
Today, Moore is a bona fide television icon. After leaving The Young and the Restless, he became a household name as Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, playing the tough but mindful profiler for over a decade. More recently, he’s been the leading man in CBS’s action series S.W.A.T. Away from acting, Moore is refreshingly open about mental health and often shares glimpses of his life on social media. Despite his massive success, he never forgets his roots, returning briefly to the soap in 2019 for a special tribute episode. For many, Moore is the perfect blend of ’90s nostalgia and present-day dreamboat.
Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman, The Young and the Restless)
Joshua Morrow remains synonymous with Nick Newman because it’s rare to see such staying power in daytime television. When Morrow first appeared on The Young and the Restless in 1994, his classic good looks and earnest demeanor instantly made him one of the soap’s biggest heartthrobs. His on-screen romance with Sharon Case’s Sharon Collins felt achingly real and became one of the most iconic supercouples on daytime television.
Over three decades later, Morrow is still anchoring The Young and the Restless as Nick, a character who’s evolved through loss, love, betrayal, and redemption. That consistency is no small feat in a genre famous for dramatic exits and sudden deaths. Outside of soaps, Morrow joined a boy band called 3Deep during the ’90s pop explosion. But acting remained his true calling. Morrow often speaks about the gratitude he feels for his soap career and his loyalty to his fans.
Jensen Ackles (Eric Brady, Days of Our Lives)
Days of Our Lives / NBC
Jensen Ackles was winning over hearts as Eric Brady on Days of Our Lives long before he hunted his first demon. Joining the cast in 1997, Ackles brought a fresh-faced sincerity to the soap that instantly made him a fan favorite. His work as Eric earned him several Soap Opera Digest Awards, including Outstanding Male Newcomer, and legions of loyal fans. After leaving the show, Ackles’ star rose thanks to his portrayal of Dean Winchester in Supernatural. His character’s dry wit and surprising vulnerability turned him into a global phenomenon over the show’s epic 15-season run.
The Boys / Amazon Prime Video
After Supernatural ended, Ackles went on to play Beau Arlen in Big Sky, a gritty crime drama where he flexed his darker side. He later landed the role of Soldier Boy in Amazon’s dark superhero satire The Boys, along with various other projects. Off-screen, Ackles co-owns Family Business Beer Company, a brewery in Texas, where he gets to showcase his entrepreneurial skills. Fans continue to follow him not just for his acting talent but for the way he stays humble and grounded, which is a rare feat in Hollywood.
Jason Cook (Shawn-Douglas Brady, Days of Our Lives)
Days of Our Lives / NBC
When Jason Cook walked into Days of Our Lives in 1999 as Shawn-Douglas Brady, it was like someone had turned up the volume on ’90s heartthrob energy. His boy-next-door charm, brooding intensity, and electric chemistry with Kirsten Storms’ Belle Black made their love story one of the soap’s most enduring romances. Cook played Shawn until 2006 when he decided to seek new creative challenges. He pivoted to General Hospital, where he played Dr. Matt Hunter.
Something’s Brewing / Formula Features
But Cook opted out of his contract with the soap as his passion was clearly pulling him beyond acting. The actor has since taken up writing, directing, and producing. Over the years, Cook has worked on several novels and various independent films, such as The Creatress, starring Lindy Booth, Peter Bogdanovich, and Fran Drescher. However, his philanthropic reality show, co-produced with the Mandela family, called LifeCHANGE was by far the real standout.