Why Days Of Our Lives Star Freddie Smith Was Once Arrested
"Days of Our Lives" fans know actor Freddie Smith as Sonny Kiriakis. The actor joined the popular soap opera in 2011 as the legacy character, who is the son of fan-favorite super couple Justin Kiriakis and Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis. When Sonny returned to Salem for the first time since childhood, it was revealed that he was gay. Viewers were told that Sonny's parents had known about their son's sexual orientation for years, but he wanted to tell other family members, such as his uncle Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston), per Soap Central.
Eventually, Sonny met Will Horton (Chandler Massey), who was struggling with his own sexual identity, explains Soaps in Depth. Sonny helped Will come to terms with his sexuality and eventually come out as gay to his family members, including his grandmother Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), mother Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney), and father Lucas Horton (Bryan Dattilo). The two eventually got married and made history as daytime television's first-ever same-sex male couple to wed, reports Out.
During his time in Salem, Sonny has dealt with a lot of drama. He's been involved in love triangles, believed his husband Will to be dead, was blackmailed by Leo Stark, and has become a ruthless businessman, per Soaps. In reality, Smith has had to deal with high-pressure situations, including his arrest in 2014.
Freddie Smith was busted for DUI
In October 2014, Freddie Smith seemed to be living a storyline straight out of "Days of Our Lives." The actor and his now-wife Alyssa Tabit were involved in a serious car accident while in Ohio, reports Soaps. Smith was said to be behind the wheel and had been drinking. He was also reportedly speeding at the time of the crash. Unfortunately, Tabit was seriously injured and taken to the hospital in critical condition, while Smith suffered minor injuries.
According to The Wrap, Smith lost control of his vehicle while driving around a curve in Ashtabula Country. The car flipped, but no other vehicles were involved in the accident. The actor was later charged with felony vehicular assault and a misdemeanor for driving under the influence of alcohol following the crash.
Smith eventually pleaded guilty to the charges and was sentenced to just three days in jail, as per Soap Opera Network. He was also placed on two years probation and had his driver's license suspended for one year. Following the accident, the soap star posted an update to social media thanking fans for their support, per Michael Fairman TV. "Feeling so lucky and blessed today," he wrote. "I can't thank you all enough for your ongoing support, thoughts, and prayers!!!! I really do have the best friends and family in the world!!!!"
Meanwhile, Smith isn't the only "Days of Our Lives" star to have been arrested.
Other Days of Our Lives stars who have been arrested
"Days of Our Lives" fans were likely stunned by Freddie Smith's arrest. However, he's not the only star of the Peacock sudser who's had to spend time behind bars. In 2019, actor Tyler Christopher, who played Stefan DiMera on the series, was arrested for public intoxication, per Soaps. The actor had a history of alcohol abuse and was sentenced to probation and rehab. Actor Casey Moss, who played JJ Deveraux on the soap, also had a run-in with the law. In 2015, Moss was arrested after attempting to punch a bartender at the W Hotel in Scottsdale, Arizona. At the time, Moss was intoxicated and ended up assaulting another customer at the bar.
In 2020, another former "Days of Our Lives" actor was arrested. Cody Longo, who is known for his role as Nikolas Alamain on the show, was taken into custody due in Tennessee to domestic violence, per TMZ. The actor was also arrested in 2013 when he was picked up for driving under the influence of alcohol in Los Angeles. At the time he took a plea deal and completed an alcohol education course. He has also been charged with sexual assault in the past (via Clarksville Now).
Since his own arrest, Freddie Smith has left "Days of Our Lives" and moved to Florida (via Soap Opera Network). He and his wife currently work on their own podcast.