FILE PHOTO: Soap Stars To Hollywood Stars

(FILE PHOTO) In this composite image a comparison has been made of actress Eva Longoria. Many of today's leading Hollywood stars began their careers in daytime serials. As the US soap opera continues to fail, one of the traditional routes for actors to transition from small screen to box office is disappearing. In the last two years the long-running series 'All My Children,' 'As The World Turns' and the 72 year old 'Guiding Light' have all been cancelled. The final air date of the 43 year old daytime drama 'One Life to Live' on January 13, 2012 will mark the end of soap production in New York City.***(LEFT IMAGE) 2005: American actress Eva Longoria (as Isabella Brana) is embraced by Doug Davidson (as Paul Williams) in a scene from Episode #7441 of 'The Young and the Restless' on July 8, 2002 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Cliff Lipson/CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)***(RIGHT IMAGE) WEST HOLLYWOOD, CA - OCTOBER 24: Director Eva Longoria attends the 2011 Glamour Reel Moments premiere presented by Clarisonic held at the Directors Guild Of America on October 24, 2011 in West Hollywood, California. (Photo by Michael Buckner/Getty Images for Glamour)