How Tyler Christopher's Addiction Cost Him His Roles On Days Of Our Lives And General Hospital
Soap opera fans are likely familiar with Tyler Christopher. The actor has played fan-favorite roles on some of the most beloved sudsers of all time, and his portrayals of the characters aren't something fans will soon forget. Christopher first broke into the soap opera business in 1996 when he originated the role of Nikolas Cassadine on "General Hospital," per Soaps. In 1998, Christopher's hard work was recognized when he was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Younger Lead Actor. He left "General Hospital" in 1999 but ultimately returned to the role in 2003. The 50-year-old stayed with the show until 2011 and later landed a gig on "Days of Our Lives."
In 2017, Christopher debuted in Salem as the long-lost son of Stefano DiMera. His character changed his name to Stefan O. DiMera upon arriving in town and looked to shake things up by taking his share of the family's fortune and business (via Soaps in Depth). However, Christopher's time on the show was short-lived and he was eventually replaced with former "General Hospital" actor Brandon Barash.
Following his exit from both "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," Christopher revealed that his struggle with addiction cost him both roles.
Tyler Christopher gets candid about his substance abuse issues
In March, Tyler Christopher sat down for an interview on Maurice Benard's "State of Mind" series. The actor opened up about his exit from both "General Hospital" and "Days of Our Lives," revealing that his substance abuse issues were to blame for him losing his jobs.
"It crushed me, because I took for granted the one thing I love the most. It was devastating for a myriad of reasons. One, the thing that I love the most was taken away. Two, I threw it away. Nobody took it away from me," the actor said. "Having to walk out those doors under that circumstance, was like, 'Wow, this is for real, dude. This is for real. My pride and ego were very quick to intervene." He added that he had been looking for someone to blame, "And when I looked in the mirror, there was only one person to point the finger at."
Christopher also confessed that he had nearly died as a result of his addiction, having flatlined three times, and that he's now working on a book about his life and his experience with sobriety, per Soaps in Depth.
Tyler Christopher celebrates his sobriety
After hitting rock bottom with his addiction and health, Tyler Christopher has found a way out of the darkness and back into the light. In November 2022, the actor took to social media to share a heartwarming post about his life as he celebrated his 50th birthday. Christopher told fans that in the past decade he's been through a lot of ups and downs, which have included career success and the birth of his daughter, per Soap Opera Spy. He also revealed that he's had some terrifying lows, such as relapsing and dealing with a traumatic brain injury, as well as getting through the COVID-19 pandemic with the rest of the world. The Illinois native also ended his marriage and decided to embrace a simpler life after getting sober again.
"This weekend I spent my 50th birthday in an obscure Mexican restaurant in Indiana with my two beautiful children," the actor wrote via Instagram. "There is no place I would have rather been than with those joyous souls. To those who did not think I would make it to 50 I will share my favorite poem 'I am the master of my fate. I am the Captain of my soul.' The best is yet to come," he added.
Christopher has always been candid about his addiction battle over the years. Hopefully, his story can motivate others to make changes in their lives if they're struggling as well.
If you or anyone you know needs help with addiction issues, help is available. Visit the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration website or contact SAMHSA's National Helpline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357).