Michael B. Jordan just took home his first Academy Award for his role in Sinners, but long before he was on the big screen, he memorably got his start on All My Children. Here are for notable Oscar winners who were on soaps.
Key Takeaways
- 2026 Oscar winner Michael B. Jordan was on All My Children.
- Two-time Oscar winner Elizabeth Taylor guest-starred on General Hospital.
- Brad Pitt made his television debut on Another World.
- Oscar winner Leonardo DiCaprio appeared on Santa Barbara.
Michael B. Jordan
Jordan is no stranger to Oscar-nominated movies, but 2026 marked his first nominated for Best Actor. After already creating awards season buzz for his win at the Actors Awards, Jordan took home the Oscar on March 15, 2026 for portraying twins Smoke and Stack in Sinners.
What many may forget is that one of Jordan’s earliest roles was as Reggie on AMC from 2003-2006. Jordan took over the role from future Black Panther co-star, the late Chadwick Boseman, who received a posthumous Oscar nomination in 2021.
Elizabeth Taylor
Elizabeth Taylor did it all in her career, including take home two Academy Awards for Best Actress. The first came in 1961 for her role as Gloria in BUtterfield 8, then again in 1967 for her role as Martha in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
It wouldn’t be for over two decades later that Taylor would originate the character of Helena Cassadine on General Hospital in 1981. Taylor was such a big fan of GH, she requested she get to be a part of Luke (the late Anthony Geary) and Laura’s (Genie Francis) wedding, this becoming Helena and cursing the couple on their wedding day.
Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt is best known for his movie career, including his role as Cliff in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood, which earned him his first Academy Award in 2021.
But long before he was the leading man of movies, Pitt made his television debut on Another World. For a two-episode stint in 1987, Pitt played a basketball player named Chris.
Leonardo DiCaprio
It may have been a long time coming, but after eight nominations, Leonardo DiCaprio finally took home the gold in 2016 for his role as Hugh in The Revenant. But this win came over two decades after DiCaprio’s soap opera debut.
DiCaprio appeared on a single episode of Santa Barbara in 1990, where he played a young Mason during flashback scenes.
