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Conversely several actors have remained playing the same character for many years, or decades even.

Helen Wagner played Hughes family matriarch Nancy Hughes on American soap As the World Turns from its April 2, 1956 debut through her death in May 2010.

She is listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the actor with the longest uninterrupted performance in a single role.

Fellow As the World Turns actors, Eileen Fulton and Don Hastings who played Lisa Grimaldi and Dr. Bob Hughes, respectively, played their roles nearly as long, both having joined the show in 1960, and remaining through the show's 2010 cancellation.

William Roache has played Ken Barlow continuously from 1960 on the British soap Coronation Street, which is also the longest-running television soap in the world still in production.

In Rachel Ames played Audrey Hardy in General Hospital from 1964 until 2007, and returned in 2009.

Susan Lucci played Erica Kane in All My Children since the show's debut in January 1970 until the show ended in September 2011.

Ray MacDonnell played Dr. Joe Martin in that series from the show's 1970 debut until 2010.

Erika Slezak has played Victoria Lord on One Life to Live since 1971 and Jeanne Cooper has played Katherine Chancellor on The Young and the Restless since late 1973.