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Days of our Lives Icon Joseph Mascolo Passes Away At 87

Courtesy/NBC

In heartbreaking news on Friday, the soap world has learned that  Days of our Lives iconic Joseph Mascolo (Stefano DiMera) has passed away at age 87.

Mascolo, beloved for his portrayal of the evil villain Stefano DiMera died on Wednesday, December 8,  2016. He had battled Alzheimer’s disease for many years.

He is survived by his wife, Patricia Schultz-Mascolo, his son Peter, his step-daughter Laura, and his sister, Marie and her husband Ronald LaVoie. He also had five grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, one niece, one nephew, 3 great nieces, one great nephew and one great-great niece.

In a statement DAYS executive producer, Ken Corday expressed: “It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and beloved member of the Days of our Lives family, Joseph Mascolo. The smile on Joe’s face is something we’d all come to find comfort in, and he will be sorely missed. His larger than life presence, kind heart, and unwavering positivity has impacted us all for decades, and will live on in the memories of his many fans. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time.”

From the official press release on Mascolo, and his daytime career it noted: “Ironically, his first foray into television was in the role of Domino in the daytime drama General Hospital.  But it was his appearance in the made-for-television mini-series The Gangster Chronicles  that attracted the attention of Pat Falken-Smith, then head writer for Days of Our Lives, that took his  career in an unexpected new direction. She created the role of Stefano DiMera specifically with  him in mind and though he at first turned the role down because he did not want to be tied down to  a long-time contract, she was relentless in her desire to have him be her Stefano. Joe became an  instant fan favorite and continued as Stefano on Days for 18 years, taking time off now and then to do theatre, his first love. He has been nominated for numerous Daytime Emmys, and was awarded two successive Favorite Villain Awards by the editors and readers of Soap Opera Digest.

In 2001 Stefano DiMera said farewell to Salem and Mascolo left Days of Our Lives to take a well-deserved vacation and pursue other career options. But very quickly Bradley Bell, Executive Producer of the CBS daytime drama The Bold and the Beautiful called and offered to create a role  for him on his show. The character of Massimo Marone was created and the history of that show was shaken when viewers found out that Massimo, not Eric Forrester, was the real father of Ridge – a startling revelation which set the course for years of exciting new storyline. He left The Bold and  the Beautiful in August 2006.  He returned to Days of Our Lives in 2006 to resume his iconic role of Stefano DiMera and  continued there until his last performance 2016. Aside from his career, Mascolo had given freely of his time and talents to a wide variety of causes. A street in Ocilla, Georgia was renamed “Mascolo Drive” in recognition of the efforts he made in helping to build a group home for mentally and emotionally impaired citizens in the remote southeast corner of that state. He was very  involved in the fundraising efforts of New Horizons, a non-profit organization in Los Angeles that  offers guidance, counseling and careers for adults with developmental disabilities, among numerous other charities that he supported.

Our thoughts and prayers and condolences are with Joseph’s famiy, and everyone at the Days of our Lives family.  Mascolo, was a one of a kind performer who meant so much too so many viewers worldwide.

On-Air On-Soaps will bring you reactions from the soap world in this developing story.  Share your thoughts and remembrances on the death and the performances of Joseph Mascolo in the comment section below.

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Very sad news, I am devasted the man was a terrific actor. Stefano Dimera was a wonderful character, Stefano was charming, evil but loved his children. He will be missed. RIP Joseph Mascolo.

“Oh, my, God ”

one of MY ALL-TIME, Faves: Joseph Mascolo

so much command

so much every thing

I believe he relished life

as for his character : outside of his conquering the world over for corporate

it was always his relationship with his offspring… that always caught me

intriguing man

Lexie, Kristen, Peter, Andre, Chad, Tony, EJ

Benji, Renee, Megan ( I do not know these)

Any and all scenes he shared with Celeste, Vivian

because of my love for DAYS – I could never thank Joseph Mascolo enough.

Godspeed

Very sad news, Joseph looked good for his age. I loved Stefano Dimera, he was a terrific actor. May he rest in peace.

He was always one of my favorites. No matter how bad Stefano was, he made him enjoyable to watch & helped humanize him. Rest in Peace, Joe. You will be missed.

My prayers are with his family my sister is in early dementia and she does not have children or a spouse basically my husband and I are her support team a terrible disease. I always enjoyed him when I watched the show he always gave it his all no matter how outrageous the storyline was.

You played the best bad guy EVER! Stefano will always be felt in Salem in one form or another. You will definitely be missed.

I am sadden to hear this news— another daytime great gone—-Stefano Dimera was my favorite villain and Joe’s portrayal was the biggest reason for that– my condolences to his family, friends and fans– I hope Days does a memorial episode because Joe was one of those actors and character in Daytime that deserves one.

I was about 12 years old when Stefano came to Salem. His character was bigger than life itself.

Very sad. I enjoyed him immensely as Stefano. Also enjoyed him as Massimo on B&B. I wonder if Massimo will die on B&B.

I’m sure he would be glad to know Stefano is still driving story on Days.

I wondered about Massimo too!

I believe his first daytime role was that of Ed Lucas on CBS’ “Where the Heart Is.”

A fine gentleman has left us. He was a great actor and he will be missed. I am hearing an opera and seeing a glass of wine and a chessboard . RIP Joseph

I wish he’d been treated better by Days in the end, his legendary character killed off in such a poor, undignified way. RIP Stefano and Joseph!

I agree. The way they killed him was awful. And now the inept, crooked SPD is trying to justify Hopeless murdering him by saying he arranged it and wanted it. Killing an unarmed, elderly man in a wheelchair is not justified & is definitely not “suicide by cop”. Stefano & Joe deserved better.

I agree ; unless he gave his okay to the way Stefano departed the show

REST IN PEACE JOSEPH!!!!

There’s a reason he’s called the Phoenix. May his afterlife be a blessed one.

I have just read this terrible news ! it’s so heartbreaking … the talent of that man , his presence on the screen , the accent made him unique and quite exceptionnal . Days of our lives will never be the same again and neither will be bold and beautiful ( yes he left many years ago but you always hoped for his return ) . Stefano for us soap fans was like the Blofeld character in the James Bond movies . Blofeld is the only other character i could compare Stefano to . I heard he knew or was even friends with Luciano Pavarotti : interesting if that were to be true . Thank you Mr Mascolo for your decades of entertainment in the soap industry , it was not missed on us , when the talent is there , the talent is there . My heart goes out to his family , his soap friends and colleagues .

R.I.P. Joseph Mascolo

I’m deeply sadden to hear Joseph Mascolo aka Stefano has died. He will be missed. Stefano was one of those character that you can’t see anyone play except Joseph. Thank you for your gift, now rest in the arms of GOD.#loveformascolo

Joseph Mascolo was ignored for 30 years at the daytime emmys.He was never ever nominated.

A loss to the soap world! They don’t make them like that anymore! God speed and thank you for sharing your talent with us. God Speed and God Bless!

One of the greatest characters in DOOL history. He was so larger-than-life, that I can’t help but think that even Joe will rise again like the Phoenix.

Joe Mascolo was a great actor and a terrific villain. I always appreciated how much he loved Daytime, and if he wasn’t on DOOL, he was on B&B. The man wanted to work, and he seemed to appreciate the fans and his co-stars and Daytime as a whole. He will be missed. Rest in peace, Mr. Mascolo.

Im without words…

Im trying to escape my own bad news…i have very little hope left!!!

Sorry…from now on i will keep my comments soap related…

This is the number of 24/7 prayer line– they might not be able to help, but they will listen– and offer hope– it is a free call in NA— 1-866-273-4444—I hope you stay with us–

Never mind i think i just leave the sight for good..its just one thing after another!!!

Rest in peace Joe! What a great bad boy you made. My day’s will not be the same.

Such a sad day for him and his family. May God bless him and his family!

Happy voyage, Joseph.
West Hartford is in mourning. I know so many people who knew you and loved you.
Many times I have visited your Alma Mater…..not too far from Choate….everyone will always hold you in high esteem…..you will be missed. God Bless.

R.I.P. Mr. Mascolo. Prayers to his family.

He was fun to watch!

Goodbye Mr. Mascolo. RIP Sir.

One of very few daytime actors who are not replaceable. The most memorable villan in the history of daytime.

Today’s episode was really creepy too. RIP Joseph Mascolo.

saints preserve us… smelling salts… rosary beads … all the shebang… no Hope

it’s a plausible back story to behind the scenes … may make sense.

kudos to Quan and Higley for trying to find dignity and save the HUGE enigmatic classically trained chess magnate

Joseph Mascolo IS Days of OUR Lives… he ignited LIFE… everything that DAYS undertook… the DiMera Clan were continually one step knowhow

just pure magic this family

I HATE the way Stefano was brought down… with three bumbling police force ( Roman, Rafe, Hope ) grans jewel is so dusty.

I love these characters… just in small doses… I do not buy in to.. Hope and Rafe. now that we have Quan and Higley… aren’t they smart enough to canvas the whole cast ? Rafe and Hope are not the show.

this show treads so far down… and it’s Ken Corday… the son of the great Ted and Betty Corday. that has left this show

SPLIT UP Rafe and HOPE… that may be all the justice, the audience needs

Hope has so much baggage… so fraught in Bo and the family bible. she’s dry

Rafe and Carrie for the WIN

Hi Penny… I know what you’re saying… it just doesn’t seem appropriate that they are doing every thing they can to “save” Hope…

BUT ?

not necessarily at the expense of THE character of Stefano

JUST

saving face ( ? )

if Quan and Higley can pull this off.. then I say kudos to this writing team for RESPECTFULLY giving the best character a lead out the door. why should he budge or give an inch…

unless his end to a means… is deemed otherwise

argh! once again… I have to climb aboard that cross if once again.. Hope magnificence wins out

JUST … NOT WITH RAFE !

Rafe and Carrie

you forced a pair on us.. and it’s just not quantifiable… ugh .. do we have to watch that

I agree -don’t save Hope at the expense of Stefano . She’s suppose to up hold the law ; not break it.

the 6-7 month jump VS. what’s currently happening… Is not in conjunction with the show

I know that… perhaps Quan and Higley realize they had to fix this mess.

whew!

What a man! What an entertainer! Loved him on both Days and B&B.

I’ll miss both Joseph and Stefano; the show won’t be the same! He was in my top ten of bad guys/girls in Soaps- in no particular order: 1.) Roger Thorpe (2.) Abby Ewing (3. ) Alan Spaulding (4.) J.R. Ewing (5. ) Victor Newman (6.) Asa Buchanan ( 7.) Angela Channing ( 8.) Rachel Cory ( 9.) Todd Manning and you know who.

Rest in the Lord!

Hi Boop

thanks for sharing… I love your top 10…. GET IT… writers of the last 4 remain

argh! i’m so sick of it… General Hospital… i’m sick of you… GH… sick of you.

Frank Valentini and Jean and Shelley ; with no imagination… are sinking GH

WITH

sonny and Carly ; Jason and Sam ; Finn and Hayden ; Michael and Nelle.

period

villians be it male or female… rose to the occasion.. stewed and simmered and passioned

MY – only – diss.. with your top 10… OVERKILL… i’m so done with Victor nuMAN

to replace that… Liza Colby, AMC… Marcy Walker… magnificent

RIP!

What sad news Joe was one of a kind! Loved him as Stefano and as Massimo on Bold and Beautiful. He seemed to have a great sense of humor and it seemed like the Days cast truly enjoyed working with him. So sorry to hear this.

I am so saddened by the news of Joe Mascolo’s death. He was talented and committed to making the best out of all that was presented on DAYS. Pat Falken Smith knew what she was doing when she snagged Joe for Stefano.

The character blazed a trail. I wish his last sotry had been a much better one. Joe Mascolo, by all accounts, still gave all.

Lovely tributes on Twitter. James Scott was very sweet in his words. I wish we had been granted a better farewell between EJ and Stefano. That is just how it goes at Days.

I hope they bring folks in for a round table and look at his career either in lieu of an episode or on CBS The Talk. I really cannot remember a bigger ourpouring of love even with the loss of Agnes Nixon, Claire Labine as of late.

Joe was one of the precious parts of Days. He truly will be missed. Those are not just polite words. It is reality.

It would be nice if they did a retrospective episode. I realize they tape 5-6 months in advance but I’m sure fans wouldn’t mind if they inserted a tribute episode to him sometime soon. Are you listening, Ken?

Although I was never a watcher Days, I do remember him on B&B. I loved the interaction he had with Susan Flannery. Aother icon of the soap world laid to rest. RIP, and my God bless youn and your family.

A different type of dark DAYS, but it’s OK because Joe is basking in the light. RIP, Joseph Mascolo.

Another Icon passes over. There was no one else like him. He will stand out for a long time to come just as he did while still walking this earth. Condolences to his family.

So sad. The daytime community has lost a legend. He was such a great actor. The Phoenix will rise no more! May he rest in peace.

This is so very sad,my heart goes out to all of Joe’s family and friends.May God be with you all and RIP Joe.You will always remembered for your great talent .but most of all you will be missed.

He was a great actor. I have been watching Days since it started in 1965. He will be missed. May he rest in peace.

Stefano is sooo missed on Days. I stopped watching around the time he left the show.

I am so sorry and sad to hear that the incomparable Mr. Mascolo/Stefano has passed. Some how you had hoped that The Phoenix would rise one more time, but he will live on as one of The Greats. His distinguished portrayal of the complex Stefano with a loving, caring, and gentle heart for his family, but evil, sinister, and controlling ways with the world will always stand out as one of the finest performances. He knew how to draw the audience in and capture your attention. You could watch him endlessly because he did not just act as Stefano he became Stefano, and he portrayed all the dimensions and depth of the character so well. He leaves an accomplished legacy. As others have said, I hope that Days will do a lengthy tribute to Mr. Mascolo/Stefano. We will certainly miss him.

So glad to see his role of Domino on “General Hospital” mentioned here … didn’t realize that he had not yet done Stefano at that period. Urbane, smooth-talking villain there, too. Had great scenes with Jane Elliott. Also remember him in “Jaws 2.” RIP

Terrific actor. So sad to hear of his death. I had a lot of problems with the cartoonish way they wrote his character the last couple of years but his talent could not be denied. He was so good no one had any idea he was battling Alzheimer’s. Talk about courage and grace. RIP. God Speed.

Breaking News

51st Annual Daytime Emmy Award Nominations: CBS Soaps Score Most, Eric Braeden, Dick Van Dyke, Guy Pearce Receive Nods

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) have officially announced on Friday, the full list of nominees for the 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards.

While Thursday brought with it four reveals of the nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama, Talk Show Host, Lead Actor and Actress categories (as presented by various entertainment news programs), today’s nominations include all the other categories not previously announced.

The Daytime Emmy Awards telecast is set to be presented live on Friday night, June 7, at 8 PM EDT /delayed PT, on the CBS Television Network, and available to stream live and on-demand on Paramount+. This will mark the 18th time that CBS has broadcast the Daytime Emmys.

Photo: JPI

In addition, The Daytime Creative Arts & Lifestyle Emmy Awards will be presented on Saturday, June 8 at t9 PM ET/6 PM PT and streamed on The Emmys apps and at watch.TheEmmys.tv. The ceremonies will take place at the Westin Bonaventure Los Angeles.

Television icon, Dick Van Dyke has received his first-ever Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Guest Performer category for his touching portrayal of Timothy Robicheaux on Peacock’s Days of our Lives. The nomination makes Van Dyke the oldest Daytime Emmy nominee in history at 98-years-old.  In addition, motion picture and TV star, Guy Pearce, is also nominated as Guest Performer for his longtime role as Mike Young in the reboot of Neighbours.

Speaking of Neighbours, the Australian soap opera also received its first ever Daytime Emmy nomination for Daytime Drama Series now that its a revival can be streamed on Amazon Freevee. In addition, The Young and the Restless iconic, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman) received his first Daytime Emmy nomination in more than 20 years in the Lead Actor in a Drama Series category.

Photo: AmazonFreevee

In the Daytime Drama series categories, CBS’ The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless each scored 12 nominations more than any other show. Leading the acting nominations was B&B, who landed 7 performers in the various categories, a first in its 37-year history.

In a statement, Adam Sharp, President & CEO, NATAS expressed, “We are happy to once again honor the creative talent both in front of and behind the camera of America’s favorite Daytime programs. We look forward to celebrating the icons who enliven the days of audiences across the country.”

Photo: JPI

Brent Stanton, Head of Daytime, NATAS added, “Producing the Daytime Emmys is a labor of love for all of us at NATAS. The huge popularity of these shows continues to be must-see viewing for their fans.” NATAS also revealed that Lifetime Achievement Honorees, Hosts, Presenters, and Silver and Gold Circle honorees will be revealed at a later date.

The Daytime Emmy Awards recognize outstanding achievement in television programming honoring work in a variety of categories, including daytime dramas, talk shows, instructional programming, hosting, culinary, and legal/courtroom programs. In 2021, NATAS and the Television Academy jointly announced plans to realign the Daytime and Primetime Emmy Awards to be organized by content genre, as opposed to program airtime.

The 51st Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be produced once again by NATAS and Associated Television International (ATI). Adam Sharp and Lisa Armstrong are executive producers from NATAS, while David McKenzie executive produces from ATI.

Congratulations to all the men and women in front of the camera and behind the scenes for their recognition as we take a look at who will be going for gold come June. Here are the nominees below starting with the Daytime Drama Categories.

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES

The Bay

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives

General Hospital

Neighbours

The Young and the Restless

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS

Tamara Braun, Days of our Lives

Finola Hughes, General Hospital

Katherine Kelly Lang, The Bold and the Beautiful

Annika Noelle, The Bold and the Beautiful

Michelle Stafford,  The Young and the Restless

Cynthia Watros, General Hospital

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR

Eric Braeden, The Young and the Restless

Scott Clifton, The Bold and the Beautiful

Thorsten Kaye, The Bold and the Beautiful

Eric Martsolf, Days of our Lives

John McCook, The Bold and the Beautiful

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTRESS

Jennifer Gareis, The Bold and the Beautiful

Linsey Godfrey, Days of our Lives

Courtney Hope, The Young and the Restless

Allison Lanier, The Young and the Restless

Emily O’Brien, Days of our Lives

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES: ACTOR

Robert Gossett, General Hospital

Bryton James, The Young and the Restless

Wally Kurth, Days of our Lives

A Martinez, The Bay

Mike Manning, The Bay

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING GUEST PERFORMANCE IN A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES

Linden Ashby, The Young and the Restless

Ashley Jones, The Bold and the Beautiful

Alley Mills, General Hospital

Guy Pearce, Neighbours

Dick Van Dyke, Days of our Lives

OUTSTANDING WRITING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES

The Bay

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives

General Hospital

The Young and the Restless

Photo: JPI

OUTSTANDING DIRECTING TEAM FOR A DAYTIME DRAMA SERIES

The Bay

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives

General Hospital

The Young and the Restless

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DIRECTION

General Hospital

The Jennifer Hudson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The View

Photo: ABC

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL DIRECTION, CAMERAWORK, VIDEO

The Bold and the Beautiful

Days of our Lives

Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade

The Kelly Clarkson Show

OUTSTANDING CASTING

African Queens: Njinga

Days of our Lives

General Hospital

Start Up

The Young and the Restless

OUTSTANDING ART DIRECTION/SET DECORATION/SCENIC DESIGN

African Queens: Njinga

The Drew Barrymore Show

General Hospital

The Kelly Clarkson Show

The View

The Young and the Restless

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN/STYLING

African Queens: Njinga

The Bold and the Beautiful

The Jennifer Hudson Show

Sherri

Photo: WarnerBros

OUTSTANDING HAIRSTYLING AND MAKEUP

African Queens: Njinga

The Drew Barrymore Show

Sherri

The View

The Young and the Restless

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SONG

“Shine” General Hospital

“Unexpected Truth”Unexpected

“We’re Home” Reconnecting Roots

OUTSTANDING DAYTIME TALK SERIES

The Jennifer Hudson Show

The Kelly Clarkson Show

Tamron Hall

Turning The Tables with Robin Roberts

The View

Photo: ABC

OUTSTANDING ENTERTAINMENT NEWS SERIES

Access Hollywood

Entertainment Tonight

Extra

OUTSTANDING CULINARY SERIES

Be My Guest with Ina Garten

Family Dinner

Selena + Chef: Home for the Holidays

Valerie’s Home Cooking

What Am I Eating? with Zooey Deschanel

OUTSTANDING LEGAL/COURTROOM PROGRAM

Hot Bench

Judy Justice

Justice For The People with Judge Milian

The People’s Court

We The People with Judge Lauren Lake

Photo: Disney/ABC

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

Mark Consuelos, Kelly Ripa, Live with Kelly and Mark

Akbar Gbajabiamila, Amanda Kloots, Natalie Morales, Jerry O’Connell, Sheryl Underwood, The Talk

Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall

OUTSTANDING CULINARY HOST

Lidia Bastianich, 25 Years with Lidia: A Culinary Jubilee

Valerie Bertinelli, Valerie’s Home Cooking

Eduardo Garcia, Big Sky Kitchen with Eduardo Garcia

Emeril Lagasse, Emeril Cooks

Sophia Roe, Counter Space

Buddy Valastro, Legends of the Fork

OUTSTANDING DAYTIME PERSONALITY – DAILY

Frank Caprio, Caught in Providence

Kevin Frazier, Nischelle Turner , Matt Cohen, Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Will Marfuggi, Rachel Smith, Entertainment Tonight

Deborah Norville, Steven Fabian, Lisa Guerrero, Ann Mercogliano, Jim Moret, Les Trent. Inside Edition

Robert Hernandez, Star Jones, Divorce Court

Judge Judy Sheindlin, Whitney Kumar, Kevin Rasco, Sarah Rose, Judy Justice

What do you think about the nominations for the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards? Who do you think deserved to get in that did? Who do you think got snubbed? Who are you happiest to see receive a nomination? Let us know via the comment section below.

Make sure to be with us live starting tonight Friday, April 19th at 8pm ET/5pm PT for the Michael Fairman Channel’s 10th anniversary edition of its Daytime Emmy Nomination Special 2024, featuring some of the just announced daytime drama nominees. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Days Of Our Lives

Stephen Schnetzer Talks On His Return to Days of our Lives and Working with Susan Seaforth Hayes In Emotional Episodes

Who says you can’t go home again? In the case of Another World favorite, Stephen Schnetzer (ex-Cass Winthrop), he has proven that it is true, and you can go back to your soap roots and where it all started for you.

Last week on April 11th, Schnetzer, along with several other key returns were on set at Days of our Lives taping all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera, centering on the funeral of Doug Williams (the late Bill Hayes), and as part of the iconic soap opera’s 15,000th episode.

Stephen is reprising his first daytime role as Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes). The last time Schnetzer appeared on a DAYS set was during his one and only run on the show from 1978 to 1980. Clearly, viewers will be in for some very emotional scenes when Steve returns to Salem to be there for his sister, Julie in her time of need. In real-life, Susan has been going through her own grief, having just lost Bill back on January 12th at the age of 98.

Photo: NBC

Michael Fairman TV caught up with Stephen during the 15K episode celebration ceremony, and during a break from taping the gut-wrenching funeral scenes, to get his thoughts on being part of these highly-anticipated moments that will air later this year in December. Here’s what he shared with us below.

What has this been like for you to work with Susan Seaforth Hayes after all of these years?

STEPHEN: She’s a dream and she’s so bright. We ran lines yesterday and we ended up just visiting for about 45 minutes and just catching up and telling tales about each other’s career. She even dropped off the autobiography that she and Bill did. And being back here at DAYS, every time I turn a corner, there’s another familiar face. When I was on the show 40 more years ago, a bunch of the guys, played softball on a team together. This is really a trip down memory lane as I knew it would be.

Photo: JPI

Taping Doug’s funeral must be a hard day for Susan. Are you checking in with her to help hold her up through this?

STEPHEN: I am and I’m checking in with Amy Shaughnessy (Susan’s assistant), and she’s holding her up more than anybody. We’re there for each other.

There will obviously be some major hankie-inducing moments when Steve comes back to Salem to console his sister.

STEPHEN: Oh, wait till you see it in December. It’s going to be great.

Were you surprised you got this call to come back to the show decades later?

STEPHEN: It was out of the blue! I was completely surprised. They should have called me decades ago! That’s what surprised me. When Another World went down, I thought I’d land somewhere else and it never happened. That was more of a surprise.

Photo: JPI

Cass is such an identifiable character for you. As well, you and Linda Dano (ex-Felicia Gallant) are so synonymous together as best friends Cass and Felicia from Another World. When fans heard you were reprising your role as Steve Olson on DAYS, they are now hoping there will be more of you on the show to come.

STEPHEN: Steven Olson is a real “Cassian “character. I cut my teeth on Steve Olson and that’s how Cass was introduced. He was kind of a roguish charmer. And then when the character stuck for Another World, they rehabilitated me, and turned me into one of the shows heroes. And that’s what would’ve happened if I stayed as Steve Olson probably. So, Steve is the ‘pre-Cass’, Cass.

Photo: JPI

As the story goes, you originally decided to leave Days of our Lives?

STEPHEN: I was never on contract. I was doing a day and a half a week and I got a Broadway play directed by Franco Zeffirelli starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finlay. I was able to it as I didn’t have to break a contract or anything. I cut loose and went back to New York for that.

How well did you get to know Bill Hayes during your first time around on DAYS?

STEPHEN: My first episode was with Bill and Susan, as her long lost brother coming into Salem. They were so good to me. They were so kind. I had been doing eight years of classical repertory theater, never been in front of a camera. I tell everybody, it took me longer than any other actor I’ve ever seen to get comfortable in front of a camera. And they were very supportive at that time in my career. Coming back to honor Bill now in 2024, and to be see Susan, I am just so happy to be here.

Looking forward to seeing the scenes between Stephen and Susan Seaforth Hayes come December and Doug’s funeral and surrounding episodes? Do you hope that DAYS might bring the character of Steve Olson back for a longer stay? Comment below.

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Breaking News

51st Daytime Emmys: Outstanding Daytime Drama Series Nominations

On Thursday, the 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards revealed nominations in several key categories via four entertainment news programs: Access Hollywood, E! News, Extra and Access Hollywood.

Three of the four announcements were major categories in the field of Daytime Dramas.

The nominees in the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series category are: The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful, Days of our Lives, General Hospital, Neighbours and The Young and the Restless.

Photo: JPI

General Hospital won this category last year, and has the most all-time wins for a series in this category. For the first time, the beloved Australian-based soap opera, Neighbours is now eligible for competition due to its reboot which streams on Amazon Freevee.

Photo: AmazonFreevee

The 51st annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out in ceremonies in Los Angeles and broadcast live on CBS and streaming on Paramount+ on Friday night, June 7th.

Previous categories announced tonight via the entertainment news outlet included: Lead Actor and Lead Actress in a Drama Series.

So, what do you think about this year’s nominee for the Outstanding Daytime Drama Series? Who do you think should win? Comment below.

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Peter Reckell returns for a second visit with Michael Fairman following the wrap-up of his recent run as Bo Brady on Days of our Lives.Leave A Comment

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Eileen Davidson as Ashley

The Young and the Restless

Airdate: 4-12-2024

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