It Began with the Soaps

After a 72 year run on radio and television the Soap Opera - now known as the Daytime Drama - "Guiding Light" ended its run on CBS. "Guiding Light" is the latest of such programs to be cancelled.

In recent years the Daytime Drama has seen a marked decline in viewership but many of the top stars owe their big breaks to those same weekday afternoon programs.

Richard Dean Anderson of "MacGyver" and "Stargate SG-1" fame was once a cast member of "General Hospital"

Ricky MartinRicky Martin also played a role on "General Hospital" prior to making his big break into the music world

John de Lancie played on "Days of Our Lives" prior to becoming the infamous Q on Star Trek

Justin Bruening was on "One Life to Live" prior to becoming the new "Knight Rider"

Original "Knight Rider" star David HasselhoffDavid Hasselhoff also got his start on the soaps on the "Young and the Restless".

Alec BaldwinAlec Baldwin started on a short lived drama called "The Doctors" and later moved to the evening drama "Knotts Landing".

Nicollette SheridanNicollette Sheridan also got started on "Knotts Landing"

Brad PittBrad Pitt was also in a night time drama, "Dallas".

A few stars got their start on "Another World" - Kyra SedgwickKyra Sedgwick, Anne HecheAnne Heche, Lindsay LohanLindsay Lohan, Kesley Grammer and Morgan FreemanMorgan Freeman.

But the show that has spawned the biggest number of movie and night time television stars is the show which has just concluded - "Guiding Light" with "Footloose" star Kevin BaconKevin Bacon who also appeared on "Search for Tomorrow", Steve Gutenberg, Mickey RourkeMickey Rourke, Time Daly, Daniel Stern, Ellen BarkinEllen Barkin, Ruby Dee, the voice of Darth Vader James Earl Jones, "Heroes" star Hayden Panettiere, JoBeth Williams, Calista Flockhart, and "CSI: NY" star Melina Kanakaredes.

To some the daytime drama is nothing more than nonsense, but for many it is riveting drama and the staring point for many stars.