Breaking News: Another Soap Opera Canceled - 'As the World Turns'

as the world turns cancelled With ratings plummeting on some of television's notable programs, no show is safe.

In September, after 70 years on the air, daytime's longest-running soap, 'Guiding Light,' was canceled and now another CBS staple, 'As the World Turns,' has been given its walking papers.

CBS says the final episode will air next September in the show's 54th year.

"Throughout our history, 'As the World Turns' has remained dedicated to sharing compelling stories that have entertained fans for more than five decades," said Executive Producer Chris Goutman. "We are disappointed and saddened by the news that the show is not being renewed. It will certainly be a loss for all of us and for the show's loyal audience."

Among the notable actors who appeared on the show are Academy Award winner Marisa Tomei, Julianne Moore, Dana Delany, Courtney Cox, Meg Ryan, Tamara Tunie, Parker Posey, Richard Thomas, Martin Sheen, Lamman Rucker and James Earl Jones.

'The Young and the Restless' and 'Bold and Beautiful' will be the only soap operas left on CBS.

According to soapcentral,com, 'As the World Turns' premiered April 2, 1956, as a 30-minute live television show, something that was unprecedented at that time for a soap opera. From 1959 to 1971, it was the number one soap. In 1975, the show expanded to a full hour.

During its incredible run, the daytime drama earned numerous accolades, including 58 Daytime Emmys. The demise of 'As the World Turns' will mark the exit of Procter & Gamble from the world of soap operas, "the very industry it helped to create," states soapcentral.com.

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Black Actors & Their Daytime' Jobs

Black Soap Stars: An Intimate Look
Believe it or not, soap operas can be a good breeding ground for some of the greatest actors in Hollywood. From Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman to three-time Emmy Award winning thespian Cicely Tyson, many great black actors have cut their teeth on daytime dramas. While Shemar Moore, Victoria Rowell, Tichina Arnold, Tonya Pinkins, Debbi Morgan and Vivica A. Fox were beloved characters on popular serials, they've done well beyond them. Check them out.

Charles Divins
'Passions' (NBC)
Prior to acting, Divins was a model who worked for Tommy Hilfiger and appeared in GQ, Glamour, Cosmopolitan and Gear. When his attention turned to acting, he took on the role of Chad Harris-Crane on the soap 'Passions,' from 2002 to 2007. The Dallas native left the show when it moved from NBC to DirecTV.

Cicely Tyson
'Guiding Light' (CBS)
A veteran of film and TV, this New York native had a stint on daytime television nearly 40 years ago. During 1966, Tyson also had a recurring role in the daytime soap opera, 'Guiding Light,' which ended its run this month after 72 years. Her character's name was Martha Frazier. Tyson soon went on star in 1972's 'Sounder,' for which she was nominated for an Oscar for best actress. After working with Tyler Perry in 2005's 'Diary of a Mad Black Woman' and 'Madea's Family Reunion,' Perry mention her name as part of his dream cast for his film adaptation of 'For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide When the Rainbow is Enuf.'

Victoria Rowell
'The Young and the Restless' (CBS)
Speculation continues about whether the Portland, Maine, native will come back to the role that she's played on daytime's number-one rated soap opera, 'The Young and the Restless,' for over 15 years. As Drucilla Winters, Rowell has occupied the longest-running African American female soap character in daytime television. She won 11 NAACP Image Awards. Rowell's first run as Drucilla was from 1990 to 1998. She briefly returned in 2000, and then returned on a regular basis from 2002 until early 2007. Rowell also played Dr. Amanda Bentley on the CBS series 'Diagnosis: Murder,' opposite Dick Van Dyke, and starred opposite Samuel L. Jackson in 2007's 'Home of the Brave.'

Darnell Williams
'All My Children' (ABC)
The London actor was one-half of the first African American supercouple on 'All My Children' (along with Debbie Morgan) for his portrayal of Jesse Hubbard, from 1981 to 1988. Before he left the show, Williams won two Emmys. He returned to the soaps as Jesse's look-alike, Jacob Foster, on 'Loving' and 'The City.' In May 2007, Williams joined the cast of 'Guiding Light' in the recurring role of the villainous Griggs. After a 20-year absence, he returned to the role of Jesse on 'Children' in 2008.

Vivica A. Fox
'Generations' (NBC)
Although we've seen the South Bend, Ind., actress make it big in roles in 'Independence Day,' 'Set it Off,' and 'Kill Bill Vol. 1 and 2,' many may remember that she headline the first daytime black soap opera, 'Generations,' when it aired on NBC from 1989 to1991. She played Maya Reubens, opposite Debbie Morgan and Kristoff St. John. Fox later had roles on 'Days of Our Lives,' and 'The Young and the Restless.' In September 2007, she appeared in the sixth season of HBO's 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' as the mother of a family displaced by a hurricane and taken in by Larry and Cheryl. Fox last hosted her own VH1 reality series, titled 'Glam God,' in 2008.

Debbie Morgan
'All My Children' (ABC)
In addition to appearing in films such as 'Eve's Bayou' and 'Love and Basketball,' the Dunn, N.C., actress is best known for her role as Dr. Angie Hubbard on the ABC soap opera 'All My Children.' Her role on the show during the '80s was as one-half of the first African American supercouple on the American soap opera (along with Darnell Williams). In 1989, Morgan, in a tie with Santa Barbara actress Nancy Lee Grahn, won the Daytime Emmy for outstanding supporting actress in a drama series. After leaving 'Children,' she had roles on NBC's 'Generations' and ABC's 'Loving' before returning in 2008 to play Angie again on 'Children.'

Dondre T. Whitfield
'All My Children' (ABC)
Recognized as Robert Foreman, the love interest of Tempestt Bledsoe's character Vanessa Huxtable on 'The Cosby Show,' the Brooklyn, N.Y., native grew up and refined his acting skills as Terrence Frye on the ABC daytime drama 'All My Children,' from 1991 to 1994. The role earned him nominations for three Daytime Emmy Awards and two Soap Opera Digest Awards. Married to actress Salli Richardson, Whitfield will next appear in the independent film 'Pastor Brown,' which is directed by Rockmond Dunbar.

Eva Marcille
'The Young and the Restless' (CBS)
As the first black contestant to win the third season of 'America's Next Top Model,' the Los Angeles native honed her acting skills with roles in 'Crossover' and Chris Rock's 'I Think I Love My Wife.' In 2008, the beauty began portraying Tyra Hamilton on the Award-winning soap 'The Young and the Restless.'