Days Of Our Lives
Kristian Alfonso, Thaao Penghlis, A Martinez & Dena Higley Pay Tribute To DAYS Icon Joseph Mascolo!

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
On Friday, DAYS fans watched in another shocker as Hope (Kristian Alfonso) finally turned the tables on her all-time rival Stefano DiMera (Joe Mascolo), by shooting him “dead” with three bullets.
Now, everyone knows that the “Phoenix” always rises, but we also know that his portrayer, the iconic Joseph Mascolo, has had continued health battles over the last few years. Based on some touching tribute tweets on social media over the weekend, it looks as if Joe’s time with DAYS had concluded. We will find out this week on-air if that holds true. With that, one of the most original villains of all-time has left the building. Mascolo played the head of the DiMera clan for 34 illustrious years.
Longtime cast members: Kristian Alfonso and Thaao Penghlis (Andre), new cast member A Martinez (Eduardo) and DAYS co-head writer Dena Higley shared their thoughts on Joe via Twitter.
Kristian Alfonso tweeted when answering a fans on Hope shooting Stefano, and on working with Mascolo: “They were very difficult scenes to shoot. I will miss working with Joe, love him, loved working with him.
A Martinez added: “Joe Mascolo. Well done, sir.”
Thaao Penghlis: “My many memories of Joe Mascolo. We came from the same classes & gave the DiMera’s a life. The saga continues. ”
Dena Higley: ” Love to namedrop. John Houseman taught me acting. Charles Walters taught me directing. Joe Mascolo taught me class. Love U Joe!”
So, what do you think about the comments made by Mascolo’s co-workers? If it is the end of Stefano, will you miss Joe on DAYS? Share your thoughts in the comment section below!
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Presenters Announced

The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) revealed on Thursday, the lineup of presenters for 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards taking place on Friday, October 30, 2026, at the Hollywood Palladium in Los Angeles, California.
The ceremony will stream live on the NATAS YouTube channel at YouTube.com/@theemmys and watch.TheEmmys.tv.
Scheduled to present from the current soaps are: Katelyn MacMullen (Willow, General Hospital), Delon de Metz (Zende, The Bold and the Beautiful), James Preston (Nick, The Bay), Paul Telfer (Xander, Days of our Lives), Tamara Tunie (Anita, Beyond the Gates) and Susan Walters (Diane, The Young and the Restless).

Photo: NATAS
In addition soap alums, Crystal Chappell, Lesli Kay, Joe Lando, Eva LaRue, who is also a nominee this year, A Martinez, Juliet Mills, and Alicia Leigh Willis, will also be on hand to present.
The ceremony which celebrates nominated lifestyle programs and dramas will also include presenters: Eva zu Beck (Superskilled with Eva zu Beck), Danielle Chang (Lucky Chow), Sunny Hostin (The View), Derek Hough (Extra), Pati Jinich (Pati’s Mexican Table), Star Jones (Divorce Court), Michael Jr. (Stand Up and Do Something), Judge Greg Mathis (Mathis Court with Judge Mathis), Keke Palmer (Glam Through the Ages), Nischelle Turner (Entertainment Tonight), and Andrew Zimmern (Andrew Zimmern’s Wild Game Kitchen).
The 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards will bring together an exciting mix of presenters representing the full spectrum of daytime television,” said Adam Sharp, President & CEO of NATAS. “From familiar faces in daytime drama to the personalities and creative voices behind talk shows and lifestyle programming, this year’s lineup reflects the breadth of talent that makes daytime so special. We look forward to celebrating the people who continue to shape the genre.”
Matthew Hoffman (Love Island USA, Cheap A$$ Beach Houses) will serve as the ceremony’s Voice of God, bringing his signature comedic narration to the evening’s celebrations. As previously announced, Lifetime Achievement honoree Genie Francis (Laura, General Hospital) will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award by her husband, Jonathan Frakes.
So, what do you think about the list of presenters for the 2026 Daytime Emmy Awards? Let us know who you are looking forward to seeing via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals Kyle Pryor Cast as Dominic Marino

For months now, Days of our Lives has teased the character of Dominic Marino. In recent weeks, viewers learned that Marino is on the down low working with Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) apparent fiancé ‘Dante Vitali (Franco LoPresti), and that he is the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall)!
Up until now, the Peacock streaming soap opera has never revealed his face, but that all seemed to change on the Tuesday, October 2o episode of DAYS. In story, Dante met Sami’s parents for the first time, Roman (Josh Taylor) and Marlena.
He shows them a photo of Dominic, which he happened to have on his own phone and even commented he kind of looked like he could be Marlena’s son. The photo, which has quickly made it around Soap Twitter/X, revealed that British-born actor Kyle Pryor is the man in the photo and eagle-eyed viewers actually located said photo on Pryor’s Instagram.

Photo: Peacock
Deadline revealed Pryor started taping at the end of 2025 and will first be seen in the role, on air Monday, November 2. In addition, Days will celebrate its 61st Anniversary with two special episodes featuring Dominic’s arrival, as well the returns of Tony and Anna DiMera, played respectively by Thaao Penghlis and Leann Hunley, on Friday, November 6 and Monday, November 9.
Those in the know, are are that Pryor previously held series regular roles on Australia’s Home and Away, and the UK’s Hollyoaks and guest starred on Emmerdale. In an ironic twist, Pryor appeared in the series Spartacus: Blood and Sand which is the same action series his apparent TV brother, Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera), once appeared in before coming to DAYS.
So excited to see Kyle Pryor take on the role of Dominic Marino as Days of our Lives sets its anniversary story to kick-off with is arrival in Salem? Share your thoughts in the comment section. And in case you missed our latest conversation with Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera) he weighs-in on how Dominic’s appearance will shake things up in Salem. You can check that out below.
Days Of Our Lives
Days of our Lives’ Conner Floyd Talks Dominic Marino Mystery, Chad and Belle, and Susan Seaforth Hayes (Exclusive)

Fasten your seat belts Days of our Lives fans, as the mystery of Dominic Marino continues to unravel on all-new episodes of the Peacock streaming soap opera. Last week, Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) learned that he may have a half-brother, who may be the biological child of his father, the late Stefano DiMera (the late Joseph Mascolo) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), giving him great pause, because he knows Stefano had kidnapped Marlena for four years back in the late 80s and early 90s.
Chad has already been hunting down clues with his current girlfriend Belle Black (Martha Madison) in Italy and Salem, which revealed a photo of a young boy with Stefano with the date 1992 on the back of it, hidden inside Stefano’s chess set. So, what’s next?
Conner Floyd chatted on the Michael Fairman Channel in a new virtual interview released on Sunday, October 18, where he spoke on what the new addition to the DiMera family could do to the already dangerous sibling rivalries, the state of Chad’s relationship with Belle and much more.

Photo: JPI
DIMERA RIVALRY
After finding out from EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) that Dominic Marino could be the never-before-heard-of child of Stefano and Marlena, Conner Floyd explained, “I think it blows Chad’s mind a little bit. I think there’s a lot of things working there with old Chad. Obviously, bringing in another DiMera could cause some noise and the whole situation with Marlena’s a little awkward as well because he’s dating Belle, so this could cause a little tiff there. I think his head’s spinning and he does not know what to expect, but I also think he kind of expects that from Stefano, for sure.”
As to how this will change and color Chad’s relationship with EJ, Floyd responded, “Chad knows EJ’s not happy about it and I think he’s going to be real upset if this gets in his way of doing what he wants to do with the DiMera legacy and all that. However, for Chad, I think he’s just going to keep a sharp eye, see what this guy’s about, see if he’s here to cause some trouble or here to be a friend and kinda play it by ear.”

Photo: JPI
BELLE OF MY HEART
With Chad and Belle already being sleuths, Floyd says, you can look for the duo to continue getting to the truth. “I think Chad and Belle are committed to this. They’re going full National Treasure, Nicolas Cage,” says Conner. “They’re going to follow the clues. They’re going to get some answers.”
Since beginning in the role of Chad in June of 2025 and debuting on-screen back in April of 2026, the former Y&R star (where he played Chance Chancellor), says it was Madison who helped him get comfortable in his new surroundings.
“Martha is phenomenal. I couldn’t have asked for a better person to get tagged up with when I started here, just because she knows everybody,” shares Floyd. “She knows where to go, who to talk to. She’ll get the tea if you want, and so it was kind of cool. Martha took me under her wing, showed me the ropes. She’s a sweetheart. I love working with her too. She’s a great actress.”
But, is Chad in love with Belle after such a tortured past with his beloved Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Floyd thinks so! “I think he’s into it. They’re such good friends and they have such a rich history. I think he’s in for the ride. You know, it’s one of those things you probably overlook at first and then they reconnected, and it feels easy and they’re going on these fun adventures.”
MAKING CHAD HIS OWN
Conner had the arduous task of being the successor to Billy Flynn in the role of Chad.. Flynn had played the part for 12 years before deciding to exit and head to Y&R. So, how did Conner approach learning the ins and out of Chad? Floyd shared, “I really dove into Chad when I first got this job. I liked that he kind of walks this tightrope of DiMera and not DiMera, you know. He want to so honor his family roots and really do something for the DiMera family, but he doesn’t want to fall into that trap that all the other DiMera have found themselves in. Chad is a DiMera at heart. He’s got those demons, but he’s just trying to keep them contained.”

Photo: JPI
ICONIC
When Floyd got to DAYS, it was none other than Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) who most surprised him in the most delightful way, given that he knew Hayes was a Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement Award winner and the current longest-running cast member on the canvas.
“I love working with Susan Hayes! I love her. She’s a sweetheart. Susan is one of the nicest people there. I just thought she was cool and it’s Susan Hayes, you know? We’ve had a lot of scenes together, which is nice,” explained Conner.
“We’ll go to her dressing room, we’ll run our scenes, and then we’ll spend about an hour just talking about life and she’ll tell me about a book she’s reading. She’s such a history buff, which blows my mind. She’ll start dropping all these historical facts on me. I learn something new by the time I walk out of her dressing room every time!”
Now below, check out the full conversation with Conner Floyd via the Michael Fairman Channel.
Weigh-in: Do you like Chad and Belle as couple? Do you think Chad will get to the bottom of the Dominic Marino mystery? If so, do you think Dominic is truly Stefano and Marlena’s son … and what about Rita (Maggie Carney) in all this? Let us know your theories in the comment section.
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Sad to see Stefano go. They should have kept him alive like B&B did with Sally.
Hope this is the end of the deaths on Days. Days of Our Dead.
Days of Our Funerals
Somehow I doubt this is the end of the deaths on Days.
Days is in kill mode. Sad to see Stefano go due to Joe’s declining health. Stefano has been a wonderful villain for years. I wish him well
Of course Stefano fans will miss him but if the actor is not healthy, he needs to stay home and take care of himself and enjoy his final days. He certainly isn’t getting any younger. RIP Stefano! I just wish that they could have done it a bit different, but oh well.
Wonderful actor. He will be truly missed. I hope enjoys his retirement. Bless you Joe Mascolo!
I hope that it isn’t so! I know that Joe has been fighting health issues ;however, I am also hoping that if he has to leave , some part of the DiMera family will remain in Salem because the show won’t be the same. A character such as Joe’s is needed to keep the show in flames. Chad would have to change into a person as Pacino did in the Godfather to become a true DiMera which at the moment he’s not.
I’m the type of person who believes that no matter who your family is , one should remain loyal to that family. Chad nor E.J. has those qualities. Therefore, the writers need to many Tony the man.
Out of all I’ve said, Joe Mascolo , I’ll miss your presence on the show. Plus, I hope that the Phoenix will rise again if that’s what you want. You’re the only one to know whether or not your health will permit you to continue to work. May God bless you!
Andre (Thaao Penglis) who is Stefano’s son will be remaining in Salem. You think that Chad, after discovering Andre hypnotized him into breaking up with Abby in order to go after Belle to get money back, should still remain loyal to the family? Andre robbed Chad of precious time to be with both Abby and his son.
Always enjoyed seeing the character of Stefano on Days!! Enjoy retirement Mr. Mascolo! Will miss you:(
I will truly miss him! He is a wonderful actor and has been such a huge part of DOOL. I have been watching for 48 years and he really added some great stories when he joined the soap. Enjoy retirement!
I know the Phoenix is gone but I can’t believe he won’t rise again.. Joseph Mascolo, you are unforgettable and irreplaceable.. Enjoy your retirement. It is well earned.
I agree but I wished he had to go on trial for his crimes . He should have been sent to prison for LIFE. I am interested in what’s going to happen to Hope and Rafe.
DOOL just keeps getting worse. Not sure if they can pull it out of this downward spiral. Death, doom, and gloom. Kids that noone recognizes or cares about. The best actors leaving the show. I will be next to go unfortunately. Instead of it being a joy to tune in, it has turned into an utter bore fest focusing on death.
His final scenes were amazing. I gasped when he laughed after being shot the first time. I’d love to know if that was scripted or his choice.
We will definitely miss him and I wish him the very best. He was the main villian that we all loved to hate. Although NO ONE will ever be as good as Joe Mascolo, we need Stefano DiMera’s in dool. No one can ever replace our Stefano DiMera (Joe Mascolo). 🙁
of all the actors on Days he was my favorite and i will miss him wish he didn’t have to leave . hope his health improves there will never be anyone that could replace him
They should’ve had him ride off with more of a bang and had him pulling the strings from Dimera Island and keep his memory alive aka Sally on bold and beautiful. But to have Hope kill him?? Should’ve been his Queen of the Night, Marlena. Days is awful.
I want to see clips. Why didn’t they send him off better than that? He deserves more than a wrap in a white blanket. Shame on Days. But maybe they will show us clips. I hope so.
One of my very favorite storylines; the Prism story – when Marlena shot Stefano at the Ice show. I agree, I would have loved Marlena pulling the plug on him if anyone.
Farewell Stefano Dimera !!!!!! Salem will never be the same.
Another DT legend you would have to consider if you were etching out Mount Rushmore. I hope he can enjoy his time left with his family.
You sir, will FOREVER be an icon! You will most assuredly be missed. The one reason I watched the show is because we love to hate you…May the Phoenix rise again…God Bless
Phoenix will rise again,you can not let adre run the Demira family business…..
Stefano will truly be missed. Joe Mascolo you were a great actor and I enjoyed watching your stories. Sorry your not feeling well. But hope one day we can be surprised by a visit.
Joe was my favorite actor on Days. Will miss seeing him on the show but his health is more important. Best wishes to Joe on his retirement. He definitely was a character you loved to hate, but I can say I never hated him. Awesome he was.
I am going to miss Stefano .
Truly one of the best villains on television. I watched Stefano do battle with Roman Brady in the 80’s, John Black in the 90’s, and The Brady Dimera fuel in 2007. Now to see his final curtain call, I am in disbelief, but knew it had to happen someday. What a great character and what a great actor.Thank you Mr. Mascolo.
Love the actor. I hope his health battles get better. But ENOUGH Stefano already. Move on! The man is in his 80’s, at some point he would get tired of murdering people and causing grief and misery to everyone around him!
JM is a good actor, but he’s no McDonald Carey who truely was the heart (and voice still is) of Days.! Let the 87 year old man take care of his health and God willing be able to make future appearances now and then.
He is the man you love to hate. A great actor. All the best to you, Joseph.
I have been watching Days for almost 50 years now and loved Stefano’s character. He is a great actor who will be missed no matter what they do or who they bring in to some sort of replace him. The best is he is Italian and that makes my day because I am also. Love you Joe, God Bless and I wish you Good Health.
Even if Mascolo has to reduce his working schedule, I’m not sure of the reason behind killing off this long time character. They could have kept Andre as head of the Dimeras and just had Stefano on once in a while. Francis Reid stayed with the show in a reduced capacity for many years. Also- I am really not liking Crazy Hope- they are writing Alfonso into a corner. They are systematically destroying long time characters with desperate writing. More to the point, is Corday even involved with the show anymore? I wionder why he has never groomed any if his children to take over the reins just like his mom did with him so many years ago. I have LOVED Days for years and I am beginning to worry about the show’s future. Also- the show needs to hire a new casting director- stat. I am nonplussed that TPTB can not see that the new hires- Ciara, Claire, Theo, Aidan’s son whatshisname just cannot act. At all. Don’t these people watch the dailys?I really hope that someone else casts the new Abby, when the very talented Mansini departs the role.
Ha, agree Michael on the Casting of this show. The tween set are horrible. Ciara’s voice grates on my every last nerve.
I’m not sure what Frances had, if anything, just aging .. but Joe has had diabetes for years so maybe it is best for him to take care of himself offscreen. I wish him well.
Agree on Hope — she’s too *hard*, too I’m not sure what, but other than her stupid Princess Gina storyline, I’m not liking this Hope at all or Kristian’s acting for that matter.
it’s so telling… most “all” posts… can’t help but comment on how …. ??? out of character… Hope is…
AND… I will readily admit this is so true! Hope, outside of romance and bonding… is not a good fit…. ??? is this telling of how one note… Kristian Alfonso reels?
I have to think so… IE : Ces… outside of the stupid Princess Gina storyline… no one likes Hope any other way…
argh! AND… i’m so in agreement (w/ Blake) I agree with him… as I too , now, recall… how it’s been said… she’s Ken Corday’ pet.
which only riles me that much more… as I’ve read… that it is KA and Melissa Reeves who got Jason Brooks and Robert Kelker-Kelly blacklisted from the show.
let me tell you… these ladies… albeit Grans Jewels… had better rethink their belong…
either / or… could easily be let go… and the fans outcry…. well??? there are certainly better actresses who could easily take
hint hint : Kassie DePaiva and Jame Lyn Bauer
the dialogue was so suspect… between Stefano and Hope
the contrived and tough words… Joseph Mascolo had to script… to pull at the already fragile… hopeless Hope. did her in? oh gawd! Rafe to the rescue
is Hope back to square 1 ? when she had it in spades with Aiden and the original Ciara ?
i’m not giving any prop to Hope
Great post Patrick. Glad you agree and we can’t all be wrong right?
I used to love Kristian & Missy both but Kristian’s acting hasn’t improved, in fact between her & Missy, they are actually the shows weakest links. Missy’s acting in yesterday’s show was hard to watch; I guess she has spent too much time on the farm. I strongly believe that Matt & Peter made those women better!
I believe you are right @ RKK and Jason Brooks. I think Scott told Missy to quit or tell Ken to fire Jason so she could return to the show. That’s when she started her change of personality/holiness.
This whole Rafe/Hope story will blow up in their face! Cops killing and hiding a body? Hope killed Stefano 3x at close range while he was sitting!
As much as I used to hate the character, I always loved the actor. He was THE villain of all villians, but he loved his family without question. Although by loving them, he ran their lives! I will always miss him! I was shocked to find out that he is 85 years old. He certainly doesn’t look it. Love you, with much respect, sir!
I am still shocked that this is the end of Stefano. I have written before about rushed storylines and this is yet another example. Where was the buildup to Hope going temporaily insane? Stefano has been on the show for 30+ years and all he gets is one day to say a few things about Bo and Hope blows him away? I didn’t buy it.
I would have liked to have seen him die in the hospital and have Andre and Chad there. We could have seen a more human side of Andre. It could have shown Chad losing his father and realilizing once and for all that he did not want to be a DiMera. I would have also liked to have seen some flashbacks of Stefano thinking about all of his bad deeds, his great scenes with EJ, Tony, Anna, Megan, etc., and a final discussion with Marlena and Kate.
Too many missed opportunities.
I like your idea and wish Days would have gone that route. No ending to Stefano & Andre? No final scenes with Drake or Dee? We did get jipped.
Joe we will miss you,God Bless you and I hope you feel better.
I hoped to see something on social media about Joseph from James Scott. I loved watching the two of them on Days. James hasn’t been on twitter for a long time. I also hoped to see pictures of him at the Days 50th party, but he was absent.
Did he just get weird and run off or something? I heard he got married sometime in 2015. I’d love to see him back on Days (of course, alongside Ali Sweeney), as well as Johnny.