Last Friday, the cast and crew of Days of Our Lives gathered together on set to honor the iconic Deidre Hall for her 50th year with the long-running soap opera. Next month, will mark Hall’s first on-screen appearance as Dr. Marlena Evans back on June 21, 1976.

Days of Our Lives, executive producer, Ken Corday presided over the proceedings in honor of his legacy star. Several of Deidre’s longtime co-stars were also in attendance as was Access Hollywood who on Monday night’s May 18 episode featured a segment on Hall.

While taking her turn at the podium to speak, an emotional Hall shared, “I’m just stunned. I’m very touched. Every moment has been a gift. I’m so deeply grateful for today.” She added, “I’m grateful for the friendships and I’m so grateful for you all.”

Courtesy/AccessHollywood

KUDOS FOR HER CO-STARS

Speaking with Access Hollywood, Deidre shared how affected she was by seeing those she work with taking time to honor her five decades contribution to the soap. “You look out and see this face, and this face, and this face, and think, ‘I know all of you. I’ve worked with all of you.  I’ve suffered with all of you.  I’ve wept with all of you. I mean, it’s just a family.”

Deidre was surprised by videos played to her during the celebration from Alison Sweeney (Sami), Thaao Penghlis (Tony) and Leann Hunley (Anna), plus The Young and the Restless icons, Eric Braeden (Victor) and Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki).

Speaking to the Access Hollywood cameras, Eric Martsolf who plays Deidre’s son on the show, Brady Black  expressed, “My first day was with her. I walked in and she gave this giant just enveloped hug. I knew right then and there that this was probably a place I was going to be for a long time.”

Courtesy/AccessHollywood

Susan Seaforth Hayes, who plays Julie Williams, added, “When I was losing my husband (Bill Hayes) in real life, who was also my husband on the show, she came to be at Bill’s bedside. The support and the the tenderness, that outpouring has stuck with me a lot.

Stephen Nichols said, “It’s the queen, the diva of daytime television, Deidre Hall. I had to dress up and I know that she’s the kind of person who would appreciate that because she’s always so perfectly coiffed and beautiful.

Photo: JPI

RYAN GOSLING/DEIDRE HALL COLLAB UPDATE

With 50 years and showing no signs of slowing down, Hall recently learned she had another big star who also admired and adored her, three-time Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling. Hall gave an update if a collab with Ryan and Deidre is in the cards? We know Ryan’s partner, Eva Mendes is all for it! “I’ve been in touch with Eva, and she’s amazing and generous, and kind and thoughtful. So, I hope we all get to go toe to toe at some point.”

Catch Access Hollywood’s report on the Deidre Hall 50th anniversary on set celebration below.

Now share your thoughts on Deidre Hall’s incredible milestone of five decades as Dr. Marlena Evans, via the comment section below.

Over the weekend on May 16, former Days of Our Lives and Melrose Place star, Patrick Muldoon (ex-Austin Reed) was laid to rest in a celebration of life service attended by many who worked and knew him in the DAYS family. The mass was held at the St. Monica Catholic Church in Santa Monica, California.

Muldoon passed away back on April 19 when he had a sudden and fatal heart attack. The fan favorite actor was 57-years-old. The coroner’s report and death certificate reportedly indicated that underlying causes included: pulmonary embolism and coagulopathy disorder, a genetic condition that impairs the blood’s ability to form clots properly, were involved.

Galen Gering (Rafe, DAYS) posted an incredibly touching video montage, showing the handout of the celebration of life mass for Muldoon. Then, the lyrics to one of Muldoon’s beautiful songs, as he was also an accomplished singer and songwriter. That was followed by a photo of Christie Clark (ex-Carrie, DAYS), Alison Sweeney (ex-Sami, DAYS) and himself, and then one of Patrick with Kate Mansi (ex-Abigail, DAYS, now Kristina, GH). At the end of the compilation, Gering wrote, “We will never forget you, Bruv.”

Photo: KMansiIG

Kate Mansi shared a photo on her Instagram Story with Galen, Christie, Alison and herself from the the Celebration of Life expressing, “One beautiful day celebrating the spirit of Patrick Muldoon. No surprise it was as authentic as you my friend.”

Rodney Peete, the former USC football star also attended and took to his Instagram and shared, “Tough Day saying goodbye to my friend Pat Muldoon!!! He was my Teammate, My Brother, My Friend🙏🏾 miss you already brotha!!” It should be noted that while Patrick made his career in acting, he was also quite the athlete when he was growing up, including playing tight end for the USC Trojans in the 80s.

In addition, Patrick Muldoon’s ex-girlfriend and dear friend Denise Richards’ (ex-Shauna, B&B) daughter Sami Sheen was also in attendance and shared a snap of the handout for the service on her Instagram.

Soap fans first saw Muldoon as Kate’s (Lauren Koslow) son on DAYS back in 1992, where he quickly became pat of the love story between Austin Reed and Carrie Brady and of course, Carrie’s sister, Sami, wanting Austin for herself! Patrick left the series in 1995. He later made a comeback for appearances in 2011 and 2012.

On Melrose Place, Muldoon played bad buy Richard Hart from 1995-1996. He launched his acting career while in college landing the role of Matt in the 1990 sitcom Who’s The Boss? alongside the likes of Judith Light (ex-Karen, OLTL) and Tony Danza. Following his graduation, Patrick nabbed a recurring role as Jeffrey Hunter in Saved By The Bell by 1991 and the rest was history.

Now below, take a look at the images from Patrick Muldoon’s celebration of life and remembrances from Galen Gering. Then let us know, were you touched to see Patrick’s DAYS colleagues in attendance to remember one of their own? Share your thoughts in the comment section.

 

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The on-screen father/son combo of General Hospital’s Dante and Rocco Falconeri as portrayed by Dominic Zamprogna and Finn Carr were part of high emotional stakes scenes on episodes airing May 11-15.

First, Finn Carr’s Rocco is so guilt-ridden and burdened with the secret that he shot WSB director, Ross Cullum that it’s eating him alive. So much so, that he gets into a heated argument with Charlotte (Bluesy Burke) and Danny (Asher Antonyzyn). Rocco feels so badly that Danny’s father was taken from him for parts unknown by the WSB, all because Jason refused to implicate Rocco as the shooter.

In a heartbreaking scene, Rocco shows up at Britt’s door and lets her know he can’t take it anymore and that the secret he is keeping is tearing him apart. The fear is palpable in Rocco’s eyes. Britt calls Rocco a hero for saving her life and Jason’s and he has to remember that. Britt hugs him and promises that he can come talk to her anytime. In that moment, Rocco felt seen and felt safe.

Courtesy/ABC

ROCCO ON THE EDGE

All of the beats mentioned above were played with depth and acting maturity by Finn Carr; that it is so very clear why the writers and the producers are so comfortable giving him the ball in this umbrella story. He steps up to the plate every time and hits it out of the park.

Rocco also overheard his parents fighting over him after Dante figured out that Rocco was responsible for the shooting, and confronted Lulu (Alexa Havins) for withholding the truth from him. As their argument escalated and their relationship was further threatened by the lies, Rocco listened to the whole thing from the outside porch. 

Eventually Dante, who had learned the truth by having Elizabeth (Rebecca Herbst) help him piece together what happened the night Cullum was shot, has a heart to heart with his son. He asks Rocco to tell him in his own words the events that transpired, and promises Rocco, that even though he is the police commissioner, he is going to help him. Rocco goes step by step over how Cullum was about to strike Jason with a weighted-baton and how the gun was loose on the ground and he shot him. Dante says his actions saved Jason and Britt’s life, and that he is going to help his son from here on out. He just wished everyone had come to him sooner, because as the father it’s his job to protect his son, not the other way around.

DANTE COMES TO TERMS

Still later in the week, Dante is visited by Elizabeth, and they discuss how they are going to cover-up any evidence that Rocco was at the hospital the night of the shooting with a hand injury, and that Dante is going to make sure the evidence against Rocco disappears. Something that is a huge disconnect for anyone that knows what a fine and upstanding cop Dante has been through the years, but he is determined to help his son stay safe and to keep him close.

However, Cullum is on the hunt for said evidence, and thinks Danny may have shot him in the back (or does he … and he knows Rocco shot him?). He visits Dante’s office and wants the evidence in the shooting. Meanwhile, bets are we are a few story beats away from Danny learning Rocco shot Cullum.

Throughout all the material given to Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna they rose to the occasion. Finn, getting the opportunity to play the often uptight Rocco on the edge, and Dominic, showing us how he can make us feel what Dante is feeling just by watching the emotion and hurt in his eyes. Therefore, Michael Fairman TV names Finn Carr and Dominic Zamprogna our picks for the Power Performances of the Week.

Now below, let us know if you agree with our picks of Finn and Dominic as the standout performances of the week, and if so, what moment really tugged on your heartstrings featuring Rocco and/or Dante via the comment section.