Each year, hordes of eager young men arrive in Hollywood hoping to be the next Brad Pitt or Chris O'Donnell. Most leave with their tails between their legs. A handful shine brightly - and Hollywood beckons.

Quite a few of these stars have recently landed at GENERAL HOSPITAL. The soap is famous for producing uberhunks like John Stamos and Antonio Sabato Jr., who moved from daytime fame to even greater success. Following in their footsteps are these three men - Sean Kanan, Steve Burton and Tyler Baker.

Sean Kanan (A.J.)
A part-time stand-up comedian, Kanan can't help but crack wise when asked how he broke into the business. "I slept with a lot of producers," he jokes. Actually, when the Pittsburgh native moved to Hollywood in the 1980s, he had a local commercial under his belt - which helped jumpstart his career to the Big Leagues. But it didn't happen overnight. "There was a lot of rejection," Kanan concedes. "Then slowly but surely, I started getting some jobs."

His first break came in 1988, with a guest role on FOX's WEREWOLF - which coincidentally starred his future GH co-star John J. York (Mac). He was then cast as the nemesis in the movie "Karate Kid III." He said goodbye to struggling actorhood for good when he joined GH four years ago.

Working on the soap, he says with a smile, "has allowed me to eat and to buy a house. It's allowed me to lead a very nice lifestyle. But more than that, it's allowed me to save enough money so that when I leave the show, I'll be able to wait for a role I feel passionate about" - instead of accepting a mediocre part for the money.

But his soap commitment has also meant that Kanan has had to pass on several interesting film offers. "That's one of the difficult things about being on a show that doesn't have a hiatus," the actor admits. "It's tricky to get out to do other stuff. Hopefully, this next year there will be a few more film roles that I'll be able to get out to do."

Despite his urge to jump to the big screen, Kanan would consider staying on after his contract ends in December. "GH has been very good to me. I count my blessings every day."