Time After Time/Soap World

Like with African American women, young African American male have actors also rarely been given the chance to grow their characters on a daytime serial where they have been cast. Historically speaking the majority of African American male actors in daytime have been well defined career men and most often played as good guys.  That doesn't always leave a lot of room for the type of dramatic storylines that have ruled soaps since their beginnings.  Yet with the 5 young actors on this list when written for the actors have shown ability to play whatever has been thrown at them and make it work.      

5.  Donn Swaby (ex-Chad Harris, Passions)

Donn Swaby originated the role of Chad Harris on Passions.  The actor gave such a depth of realness to a young man trying to figure out his past so that he could move forward with thefuture. Swaby is an actor I would hire in a minute on The Young and The Restless as a new love interest for Lily or as someone to come between Devon and Roxanne. He is just that good. 

4.  Lawrence Saint-Victor (ex-Remy Boudreau, Guiding Light)

Everybody knows Lawrence Saint Victor for his role on Guiding Light.  In the last year the soap was on air his character of Remy became the center of one the show's few remaining romances.  Victor was a breath of fresh air, a fan favorite, and not bad on eyes according to the female fans.  He was definitely a talented actor who has a great future ahead of him in daytime or primetime. 

3. Philip Jean Marie (ex-Vincent Clarkson, Passions)

One of the most challenging roles ever in daytime was playedby Philip Jean Marie.  When you are aman on the "down low," a serial rapist, a hermaphrodite, and pregnant with your father's child and you have to make that come across as believable and real.  You have got to have immense talent.  And this daytime newcomer took all that he was given and made sense of it.  Now that is an actor for you. 

See more of this story here: Passions: Incest Love Desire

2. Bryton James (Devon Hamilton, The Young and The Restless)

As a former child star from Family Matters one did not know what to expect from Bryton James when entered the daytime landscape as Devon on The Young and The Restless.  Yet the actor proved to be a talent to die for. His portrayal as a foster child turned adopted son who has come through hell and back has earned him a Daytime Emmy and a NAACP Award.  Sadly this talented actor has been woefully underused in recent years. But his awards speak volumes for his ability to deliver onscreen when given the material. 

1. Cornelius Smith Jr. (Frankie Hubbard, All My Children)

When Cornelius Smith Jr. first hit the scene as the third actor to play Frankie Hubbard the son of one of daytime's most iconic couple Jesse and Angie he immediately popped off the screen and All My Children had a hit on their hands. The actor has been able to hold his own in every scene he has with such powerhouse Emmy winning actors Darnell Williams and Debbie Morgan. Smith is able to infuse qualities from his onscreen parents that you know he is a Hubbard.  They daytime Emmy nominated actor will get the gold in the future and then the Hubbard family can entirely be called the "golden" family.