Iconic soap opera bad guys of the '80s — where the stars are now, four decades later

From Dallas to Days of Our Lives, here’s where some of the most unforgettable soap villains ended up, and which actors are still working decades later.

Thanks to their scheming and revenge-driven ways, these 1980s soap opera villains remain memorable even four decades on.

Some left daytime drama behind years ago, while others are still active in the industry. Here’s a look at what they have been doing since.

J.R. Ewing — Dallas

Dallas viewers will remember J.R. Ewing, a wildly popular villain whose lies and betrayals made him a character people loved to hate.

J.R. was played by Larry Hagman, who returned to the role in TNT’s 2011 continuation of Dallas, saying it was “fun to play the villain.” After the actor died at 81 in 2012, the iconic character was written out.

Adam Chandler — All My Children

David Canary played Adam Chandler, a ruthless and controlling figure on All My Children, appearing on the show from 1983 to 2010 before briefly returning for its final weeks in 2011.

Canary received five Daytime Emmy Awards for the role. He died in 2015 at the age of 77.

James Stenbeck — As the World Turns

Anthony Herrera portrayed the cold, calculating James Stenbeck in As the World Turns during several runs. The character’s plots included attempted murder and kidnapping, and he eventually died after being injected with a paralyzing agent that triggered a heart attack.

Herrera privately battled cancer beginning in 1997, later went into remission for nine years, but the illness returned and he died in 2011 at 67.

Blake Carrington — Dynasty

Blake Carrington was often portrayed as a hard-edged figure in Dynasty, both in business and in family matters. John Forsythe played the role from 1981 to 1989, and Grant Show later took over the part from 2017 to 2022.

After leaving the hit soap, Forsythe returned as the voice of Charlie in Charlie’s Angels and later reunited with former co-stars for Dynasty Reunion: Catfights & Caviar in 2006. He died in 2010 at the age of 92.

Victor Newman — The Young and the Restless

The Young and the Restless villain Victor Newman was originally intended as only a short-term guest role, yet the character is still central to the show decades later. Often described as ruthless, he is played by Eric Braeden, who has earned numerous awards for the performance.

Ridge Forrester — The Bold and the Beautiful

Ridge Forrester from The Bold and the Beautiful is not a typical villain, but his infidelity and deceptive behavior have made him a complicated soap character. Since his introduction in 1987, several actors have portrayed him, with Ronn Moss holding the role for 25 years until 2012.

After leaving the part, Moss took on a few smaller acting jobs, including appearing with his band on ABC’s General Hospital in 2014.