Stars Who Got Their Start On Y&R

By Sylvia Ogweng. 24 Mar 2018 5:32 AM

From Eva Longoria to David Hasselhoff, believe it or not, many of Hollywood’s biggest actors kicked off their careers with stints on “The Young and the Restless“. Now, as the iconic soap celebrates its 45th anniversary, see which stars mingled with the locals of Genoa City.

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Adam Brody
CBS
At the tender of age of 19, “The O.C.” alum appeared briefly on the CBS soap opera. "It was so fast…I was 19… but I sound like I'm 13." Brody appeared briefly in a scene with Joshua Morrow (Nick Newman) and Heather Tom (Victoria Newman).
Penn Badgley
CBS
Years before his big break on “Gossip Girl”, Penn Badgley roamed the streets of Genoa City as Phillip Chancellor IV, the son of Nina Webster and Phillip Chancellor III. The role earned Penn Badgley a Young Artist Award nomination in 2001.
Vivica A. Fox
CBS
Early in her career, the bold and beautiful Vivica A. Fox starred as Stephanie Simmons on the show, a colleague of Drucilla Winters at Genoa City Memorial and became a love interest for resident hunk Malcolm Winters (played by Shemar Moore).
Tom Selleck
Getty
Best known for his roles as ‘80s icon Magnum P.I. and Richard Burke on “Friends”, Tom Selleck’s soap opera roots remain something of a mystery to most. From 1974 to 1975, the Hollywood hunk got his start playing Jed Andrews on "The Young & the Restless". Many of the show’s older viewers will remember Selleck’s character filming oh-so-steamy shower scenes with Jaime Lyn Bauer (pictured). “If he had a life, I knew nothing about it," Selleck said. Ah well, he had a shower, and that's enough.
Justin Baldoni
CBS
Before his days on “Jane the Virgin”, hunk Justin Baldoni sizzled on the small screen as Ben for three episodes of “The Young and the Restless”. Baldoni counts the role as one of his first before moving onto bigger roles in “JAG”, “Everwood” and “The Bold and the Beautiful”.
Justin Hartley
CBS
“This Is Us” star Justin Hartley spent two years (2014-2016) starring as Adam Newman before his character was mysteriously killed off from the show. “You are some of the most loyal and dedicated fans I've ever encountered,” he told fans via Facebook. “You are truly the heart of the show. It simply does not work without you. I wanted to thank you for that.”
Shemar Moore
CBS
“The Young and the Restless” mainstay Shemar Moore built his career upon the role of Neil Winters’ rebellious half-brother Malcolm from 1994 to 2005, and returned to reprise the role from 2009 to 2011. He would be known as Genoa City’s most prominent photographer and eligible bachelors.
Paul Walker
CBS
Before hitting the big screen, the late Paul Walker got his start as Brandon Collins, also known as Victoria Newman’s confidant and hunky love interest, on “The Young and the Restless”. And at only 19 years of age, Walker made quite the impression on the cast and crew, especially Eric Braeden, who played the role of millionaire Victor Newman. “He was just so unpretentious,” Braeden said. “An easy-going, Southern California guy. I’ve worked with quite a few young people over the years. But I had a feeling, that he would make it on the big screen.”
Eva Longoria
CBS
Eva Longoria first tested her Latin flair with a guest role on “General Hospital” and then firmly planted her claws into daytime when she landed the regular role of Isabella Brana from 2001 to 2003.
David Hasselhoff
Sony Pictures
Before landing his big break on “Knight Rider”, David Hasselhoff had a long run as Dr. William “Snapper” Foster on “The Young & The Restless”. Hasselhoff entertained fans with small screen drama throughout the late ‘70s and early ‘80s.
Eddie Cibrian
CBS
Eddie Cibrian’s dimples first made fans swoon on “The Young and the Restless” when he played bad boy Matt Clark from 1994 to 1996. The show was a stepping stone to more steamy television appearances, including “Sunset Beach”, “Third Watch” and “CSI: Miami” — and who could forget his foray into music with the all-male pop group 3Deep with fellow soap star Josh Morrow?

Stars Who Got Their Start On Y&R

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