Eva Longoria, Hayden Panettiere and More: From Soaps to Stardom

Ali Lohan might not believe this, but there was a time when wanna-be celebrities couldn't just appear on a reality show or make a sex tape and earn instant fame.

Hopeful actors had to - gasp! - work for their success. The most popular forum in which future stars built their careers? The soap opera. Here's a look at a few big names that weren't always on the big screen marquee.

For years, they were simply hopping from daytime bed to daytime bed...

• Eva Longoria - The Young and the Restless (2001-03)

• Hayden Panettiere - One Life to Live (1994-97); Guiding Light (1996-2000)

• Snoop Dogg - Remixed One Life to Live theme; Guest-starred, May 2008

The new Dogg pound: Snoop on the set of One Life to Live.

• Demi Moore - General Hospital (1982-83)

• Tori Spelling - Beverly Hills, 90210 (perpetually)

• Marisa Tomei - As the World Turns (1983-1985)

• Meg Ryan - As the World Turns (1982-84)

• Sarah Michelle Gellar - All My Children (1993-95)