I'm looking for examples of times when otherwise average or forgettable actors finally came out of their shells to give a memorable or powerful performance...

Heres a few i can think of:

Kristina Wagner, General Hospital: During the Bj's heart transplant story Wagner gave what i think will go down in history as her best performance ever... The scene where Felicia ecstatic that Maxie has a heart goes to tell Bobbie and realizes that it is BJ's heart and she falls sobbing to the floor "No, No not Barbara Jean, Not Barbara Jean's heart"...It was to me the moment that Wagner and Felicia finally became human and made an impact.

Erin Torpey, One Life To Live: although i always liked her it wasn't until Megan (her daugthers) died that i felt she really made a lasting impact and proved herself as an actress worthy of praise.

Jessica Morris, One life To live: Usually i couldn't stand her, but during Sam's death story she really showed how far she came as an actress.

To me, Laura Wright has done that with her current GH storyline. She's even going head-to-head with the incomparable Sarah Brown and is coming out on top.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Allan,

Great thread! I remember when I first realized Eileen Davidson was a force of an actress. I hadn't seen her during her Y&R days, and only briefly on Santa Barbara. She was doing fine playing Kristen on DAYS, but once she realized Marlena and John were in love, and started to go nuts, she really came out. The scene where she repeatedly slams a framed photo against a desk, destroying it, screaming, "This is what's left of John and Marlena!" was the start of a fantastic run, and when I realized how great she is.

Y&R Moments:

1) Greg Rikaart during Kevin's attempted suicide.

2) Sabryn Genet when Tricia finally lost her mind.

3) Heather Tom after Victoria lost Baby Eve.

There's more I'm sure - but these immediately come to mind.

Melissa Fumero- When she got her "Bitchy Bangs"

Kirsten Storms last year on GH. She went from whiney nice girl Belle on DAYS to whiney slut on GH then last year Maxie become the girl you root for though she is a bitch.