Most of us are familiar with David Hasselhoff. Famous for his stints on Knight Rider and Baywatch, and infamous for his German singing career and one revelatory YouTube clip, the hammy American actor has had a lengthy career - recently acting as one of the celebrity judges on America's Got Talent.

But fans might be surprised to learn that before he was known as "the Hoff," the actor cut his teeth (and perfected his rather ham-fisted performance style) in a recurring role on the beloved soap, The Young and the Restless, where he was a regular from 1975-1982.

If you are too young to remember the Hoff's illustrious debut, never fear. According to Entertainment Weekly, Hasselhoff will be returning to Genoa City in mid-June to reprise his role as Dr. William "Snapper" Foster, Jr. The actor told EW that his brief return to Y&R is his way of saying thanks to the soap's creator Bill Bell, who he credits with taking a "chance on a young and very green actor" way back in '75.

The Hoff isn't the only one paying tribute to his humble beginnings. Earlier this month, gifted screen actor Julianne Moore dropped in for a cameo appearance on As The World Turns, the soap that earned the then-fledgling actress a Daytime Emmy for her dual roles as Frannie and Sabrina Hughes. Celebrity guest appearances like Moore's are undoubtedly helping to boost dwindling ratings for daytime dramas, and I'm predicting there will be more big name actors who follow suit in the near future.

Are there any particular actors you'd like to see making guest appearances on soaps? And will you be tuning in to catch the Hoff on the Y&R?