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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…

  • 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)