Days Of Our Lives
DAYS 50: Villains! Who is The Most Treacherous Of All-Time … Stefano, Ernesto, Kristen, Vivian?
Courtesy/NBC
For 50 years, Days of our Lives has delighted viewers with their devilish portrayals of villains. And in Salem, they come in all shapes, ages, and genders!
NBC.com continues its weekly installment of what has made DAYS unique soap opera viewing as the show heads towards its golden anniversary in November. In the latest video, the network takes a look back at some of the moments of the villains, who have changed the course of events for many beloved super couples and good citizens of the town.
From the “Phoenix” Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo), to the vengeful Ernesto Toscano (Charles Cioffi), to Chinese herb-induced villainy from Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), to gun moll Ava Vitali (Tamara Braun), to the duplicitous Kristen DiMera (Eileen Davidson), thesse characters have all commitment heinous acts and crimes.
Courtesy/NBC
In the latest video, watch: the classic Carly (Crystal Chappell) gets buried alive, Hope (Kristian Alfonso) over a vat of acid in her emotional “death” scene, EJ (James Scott) firing gunshots at his father Stefano, Roman (Wayne Northrup) confronting Stefano on the cliff shortly before his “death”, Ava drugging Steve (Stephen Nichols) into her bed, and a black-wigged Kristen setting up Father Eric (Greg Vaughan) for one of the more controversial acts of all-time in order to payback Marlena (Deidre Hall) for ruining her romance with Brady (Eric Martsolf)!
Watch the evil in action after the jump! Then let us know, who is the all-time most treacherous villain of DAYS?
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
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‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
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Vivian!!!!
That story was so morbid. It kept me riveted. And, methinks, contributed to the development of my claustrophobia. 😉
Vivian Alamain was a delicious lunatic. I miss Louise Sorel’s presence on the show.
I agree, Louise Sorel was the best. Vivian and her side kick Ivan are definitely missed on the show. Maybe they can come back when some of these returning vets leave.
That would be brilliant. But, last I heard, Louise Sorel wasn’t pleased with her character’s turn during her last venture into Salem. She started out well, with the renewed conflict with Carly, then lost all her fire. She wasn’t thrilled with that. They may have a hard time ever getting her back. But if they did, I’d certainly bounce like Tigger and be right there, enjoying every moment. 🙂
Well SixBells just recently Louise friended me on Facebook after a looooooong time after I sent her a friend request (I’m thinking years!) so I wondered if that meant she was about to come back or wants to. Wishful thinking but who knows.
I enjoyed your writing, SixBalls. I have only been watching for seven years, so I cannot give this question Justice. But, I must say, that the little I have seen of Vivian left an impression on me….an authentically superb and genuine thespian.
However, I must praise your phraseology and grammar. I derive so much pleasure from a perfectly written sentence.Call me crazy, but I do thank you for the “methinks”. Most people will separate the word, ergo me thinks. Later
😉 You make me smile.
I highly recommend looking up Vivian’s glory days on YouTube, since you weren’t there for her first go-round. It is definitely worth it. Louise is amazing, and her stories were quite a trip, particularly those involving Lawrence and Carly. Sick little vixen, that Vivian. 🙂
@SixBells.
I make you smile? Boy, I made myself ROAR with laughter. I just realized I wrote SixBalls. I must be going blind! Gee, I hope you’re not a man….what a moniker, can you imagine? I can’t stop laughing. LOL. And, what a faux pas on my part.
Nonetheless, I shall check Vivian, her story and her misdeeds posthaste. Good night, SixBells…LOL.
CeeCee you are exactly right when you say Louise (Vivian) is a genuine thespian. It hit me when I watched this video when Vivian is rolling in the dirt lavishing thinking that she got rid of Carly. It reminded me of the good ol’ days of daytime when we had phenomenal actors like the ones who played Carl and Victoria on Another World. Also Alexandra, Roger, Ed, Maureen and Holly on Guiding Light.
Why call it 50 years but only show the last 30…villians like Linda Andesrson and Kitty Horton not shown…couples like Doug and Julie,Days 1st supercouple and daytime royality, shown very little…Greg and Susan…David and Trish or with Valerie, Don And Marlena, families like the Peters, Andersons, and Grants should have been included in these clips plus many more…its like going to a party and half the guest dont show up-which is something i dont mind when its my real-life family…lol
I 2nd Linda Anderson!
Hi, Ces.
Should we add Ben to the list? Or, does he fall short of the rest? I suppose his diabolical self and tenure will be too short-lived? But, these killings seem somewhat different, albeit I know next yo nothing about the many faces of evil which walked the grounds of Salem. It seems that Ben gets some sort of gratification when he kills….sexual or otherwise. Then, I believe he regrets it. He cannot fight it. This is not turning out to be something on which to blame Chad. It may have started out that way. But, this is a physicaL need of Ben’s. Compounding this with his mental unbalance is what makes him so dangerous. I still think he killed his own mother and who knows how many more victims he has had. Poor Will. I am so upset, right now….later.
Hey CeeCee – I’ve been out of the loop on Days for a few years so I’m not sure of Ben’s past or Clyde’s. Not sure what his motive is other than needing to kill those that get in his way for jealousy? not sure. Haven’t watched today’s show but he definitely got in the way finding Ben’s tie!
I’m not a fan of this Will at all but the character shouldn’t have been killed off — worse, I’ll have to endure Alison Sweeney’s bad crying upon her return to his funeral. Oy!! Haven’t missed Sami on this show.
Probably Stefano.
hands down ….Stefano
I would say Stefano as the most treacherous villian with his daughter Kristen right behind him.
Third would be the woman who put Marlena down in the well. I almost forgot about that story but it popped in my head when I saw this. DIdn’t she throw down a turkey for Marlena on Thanksgiving? Lmao!
Actually second should be Vivian and third Kristen, then the lady who put Marlena down the well as fourth.
You’re right, blake. Elaine Bromka was the mother in “Uncle Buck.”
Thank you 4ever Days, I can see her face looking down the well lol.
Stella Lombard pushed Marlena down into the pit and she did indeed throw a turkey to her, blake!
Thanks for confirming it. I can still see her face. If I’m not mistaken she was played by the same actress that played the mom in the “Uncle Buck” movie.
Stella! Oh, I’d forgotten all about Stella and the turkey. She was a nutball, but the turkey thing was hilarious. :p
Obviously, the most heinous “Days” villain of all time is Satan — he possessed Marlena. Who’s a worse villain than the anti-Christ himself?
Touché! You win the Internet. *hats off* 😀
Aw thanks. I think that was the only storyline on a daytime soap that actually shocked me. I just couldn’t believe they were doing it!
I love your name sonniorsolita! Just like the wink Michelle gave the audience to question who she really was.
Thanks, Blake! I like your name, too, because it reminds me of two of my favorite soaps – GL, obviously, and Dynasty. Michelle was brilliant throughout that whole story line and if you ever read the backstory about how a writer’s strike meant there were times even she didn’t know who she was playing… the fact she held it together so well and made it riveting is a testament to her acting ability.
Kristen! People know I love me some Kristen DiMera! She is definetely the best villain!
I forgot about her shooting Eric in the neck and wearing that her looking sexy in that black wig and tight dress that is featured in this video. Hopefully one day she will come back to Days.
In honor of the time I started watching DAYS, Larry Welch and Megan Hathaway were a great pair of hellraisers!! Also…EMMA DONOVAN…She just begged to be murdered. LOL!
Stefano back in his heyday; he got to be a bit of a joke the last few years.
Also loved Orpheus 🙂
Linda Anderson – evil mommy from hell 🙂
Big fan of Andre always!!
Stefano is Days greatest villain. But I do miss the great Louise Sorel as Vivian.
There is only one a Stefano Dimera. Enough said.
Stefano Dimera definitely has the most staying power of all these villians!
Let’s not forget Andre and his less than intelligent henchman Bart.
Why would you even have to ask? Of course it is Stefano!
HEROS AND VILLAINS… NOT PART OF THE DICTIONARY WHERE I EXIST. MY NAME IS KRISTEN VIVIAN and I’M AT THE TIME OF WRITING THIS IM ALIVE AND IM A LEGEND