These Daytime TV Icons Have Soap Fans Seeing Double

Soap opera actors are known for hopping from soap to soap, creating brand-new characters for a new legion of fans, as well as old fans who follow them. It’s rare that an actor appears on two different soaps as two different characters (and sometimes three), but currently, there’s an embarrassment of riches. In 2026, Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of our Lives, and The Young and the Restless are all part of this phenomenon.

Stacy Haiduk as Patty, Kristen, and Susan

Stacy Haiduk brought Patty Williams to life on The Young and the Restless off and on from 2009 to 2016, but since 2018, she has recurred as both Kristen DiMera and Susan Banks on Days of our Lives, according to TV Insider. The quirky Susan comes and goes from Salem, but Kristen is a mainstay, currently involved in a story in which she recently murdered a troubled teen and is being haunted by her ghost.

Recently, Haiduk made her return to Y&R, where Patty once again has her sights set on Jack Abbott, the object of her obsession for most of her adult life. This time, Patty seems a little more sane than during her last stints, but anything can happen to change that.

Wally Kurth as Ned and Justin

Wally Kurth began his soap career as Justin Kiriakis on Days of our Lives in 1987 and has played him off and on ever since. During one of his longer stints away from Salem, Kurth hopped over to General Hospital to play Ned Ashton in 1991, per IMDb. Since 2013, Kurth has played both roles simultaneously.

As Ned, Kurth is often the voice of reason in the Quartermaine clan and recently learned he has a grandson he never knew about named Gio. As Justin, Kurth is often the voice of reason at the Kiriakis mansion and recently learned he has a granddaughter he never knew about named Kelsey. Such is the life of a soap opera character.

Jon Lindstrom as Joey and Kevin

Jon Lindstrom has found a new soap opera life on the CBS drama Beyond the Gates, but he is best known to soap fans as twins Ryan Chamerlain and Kevin Collins on General Hospital. Lindstrom began playing serial-killing Ryan in 1992, according to Soap Central, but after Ryan was allegedly killed, he returned a year later as Ryan’s mild-mannered twin, Kevin. Lindstrom took Kevin to the GH spin-off, Port Charles, for a while, and even brought Ryan back from 2018 to 2023.

In 2025, Lindstrom began playing casino owner Joey Armstrong on Beyond the Gates. He made a brief appearance on GH in December of 2025, but the character quickly left town again, with the storyline door open for his return. When the danger in Kevin and Laura’s life passes, she hopes to see her husband again, as do GH fans.