ABC's "All My Children," "One Life to Live" Ending but Stars Go On
April 15, 2011— -- "All My Children" and "One Life to Live" will end their long runs on daytime television, but not without leaving a legacy of soap-actors-turned-stars behind.
ABC announced Thursday that the daytime dramas will air their final episodes in September and January, respectively.
In their place, the network will debut two new daytime programs: "The Chew," a program about food news and trends, and "The Revolution," about health and lifestyle transformations.
"The Chew" and "The Revolution" aim to emulate the formula and success of ABC's "The View." "The Chew" will feature a rotating cast of hosts, including chef Mario Batali, restaurateur Michael Symon and nutrition expert Daphne Oz. "The Revolution" will feature a "dream team" of lifestyle consultants including fashion guru Tim Gunn, celebrity trainer Harley Pasternak and "American Idol" alum Kimberley Locke.
Susan Lucci, who has played Erica Kane for over four decades, may be the biggest star on "All My Children" and one of soaps' biggest icons.
"It's been a fantastic journey," the 64-year-old actress said in a statement Thursday. "I loved playing Erica Kane and working with [show creator] Agnes Nixon and all the incredible people involved with 'All My Children.' I'm looking forward to all kinds of new and exciting opportunities."
Lucci won the daytime Emmy for playing Erica in 1999 after being passed over 18 times.
Kelly Ripa, another star who came from "All My Children," told ABCNews.com she felt "heartsick" when she heard the news.
"This is like losing a member of your family," Ripa, now host of "Regis and Kelly," said in a statement. "'All My Children'" was more than a job -- it was my family. It was there that I met my husband [Mark Consuelos]; it was there when my first two children were born; it was there where I met many of my life-long friends. It was the greatest training ground ever. I feel heart sick."
Indeed, "All My Children," on since 1970, and "One Life to Live," on since 1968, launched the careers of some of today's biggest stars, including Sarah Michelle Gellar, Michelle Trachtenberg, Melissa Leo, Josh Duhamel, Eva LaRue, Christian Slater, Rosie O'Donnell, Kim Delaney and Amanda Seyfried.
Here's a look at other actors-turned-stars from soaps past and present, including "As The World Turns," "The Guiding Light" and "The Young and the Restless."
