What The Days Of Our Lives Original Cast Looks Like Today

Since 1965, just like sands through the hourglass, "Days of Our Lives" has been spinning out hour-long episodes to its millions of fans all over the world. The Daytime Emmy-winning show is the longest-running drama on NBC, and the show's patriarch MacDonald Carey, who played Tom Horton, captured the win for Outstanding Lead Actor at the very first Daytime Emmys in 1974. The show has also won 4 People's Choice Awards, and in 1984, when the first Soap Opera Digest Awards were held, "Days of Our Lives" won every daytime category!

The show, which highlights the lives of the Bradys, Hortons, DiMeras, and Kiriakis' in the small, fictional, midwest town of Salem, has given the soap opera world some of our most unique and beloved characters. Ones who are heroes, villains, and many times both the hero and the villain, committing dastardly deeds one minute and redeeming themselves the next by saving the day — like the infamous Sami Brady played by Alison Sweeney or possessed by the devil Marlena Evans, played by Diedre Hall. 

Many of these outstanding characters — and the actors who have played them — have stood the test of time, being showcased in the early years of the show and returning again and again, proving just how loyal fans are to the show, the characters, and the actors themselves. Keep reading to learn more about some of the original cast of "Days of Our Lives" and what they look like today.

In 1986, Drake Hogestyn joined the cast of "Days of Our Lives" known only as The Pawn, an amnesiac covered in bandages who eventually chose the name John Black. Not long after, it was revealed that he was Roman Brady, whom everyone thought was dead. At the time, Roman was married to Marlena Evans so the two reunited and lived as husband and wife. But, it turned out, the mystery man was actually not Roman, and the real Roman had been held hostage and returned to Salem, leaving "the pawn" to search for his identity. Of course, John and Marlena couldn't just turn off the feelings they'd developed during their time together, and though John had other women in his life, he couldn't stop thinking about Marlena. So began a torrid love affair between the two, even producing a child — Belle — from their tryst.

After finally reuniting with his precious "Doc," John Black made it his mission to fight Stefano DiMera and any other bad guys that dare show up in Salem. Unfortunately, the cost of that was a slew of harrowing, life-threatening incidents that tore the couple apart again and again. No worries, though, because every "DOOL" fan knows what happens when couples reunite after a catastrophe — yes, a wedding! And just how many times have John and Marlena walked down the aisle. That would be six, according to a 2018 Entertainment Weekly article.

As the quintessential dark-haired love interest, Bo Brady, played by Peter Reckell, arrived on scene in 1983 as the youngest Brady sibling, with a leather jacket and full beard, riding a motorcycle and tantalizing the ladies with his wide smile. His rebellious days didn't last long, though, as his character went from rebel to vigilante to upstanding hero. Despite finding out he was the illegitimate child of Victor Kiriakis, Bo had a good run, marrying his "fancy face," as he called Hope, becoming a detective, and raising a family. Unfortunately, Bo died of a brain tumor in 2016, devastating not just his family, but all the fans of the show who loved Peter Reckell as Bo Brady.

While "Days of Our Lives" is no stranger to bringing characters back from the dead, typically that involves them either being alive again or everyone learning that they weren't actually dead. In Bo's case, he came back as an angel for two episodes, just when his family and Salem needed him most: when the devil returned to Salem. 

Like Kristian Alfonso, Reckell appeared in "Beyond Salem." Reckell told TV Insider he was excited to get to play Bo again. "Anybody who's watched the show since we've been on and since '83, you will love this because you'll go, 'Oh, I remember that, oh I remember that,'" Reckell shared with the publication.

One of the most iconic and lovable characters on "Days of Our Lives" is Steve "Patch" Johnson, thug-turned-PI and devoted husband. With his signature patch over one eye, Steve, played by Stephen Nichols, joined the cast in 1985. In 2020, Soap Opera Digest published a #TBT article from 1988 in which Nichols shared how he developed the role of Steve, adding to the rebel image his own touch of humor and unique vocabulary. His work took the character from stereotypical to exceptional. "'Days of Our Lives' is that way," he told the publication. "They follow the actor's lead. They bring in a person for a small part, and if that person is creating something that really stands out, they go with it."

More than 30 years later, fans still love Patch, and the powers that be continue to bring him back. During Nichols's breaks from the show, he appeared on other soaps like "General Hospital" as Stefan Cassadine and on "The Young and the Restless" as Tucker McCall.

But it would seem "DOOL" is home for Nichols just as Salem is home for Steve. The actor, who started his life on the path to becoming a monk, is just as fond of his co-star Mary Beth Evans, as she is of him. He told "After Buzz TV" in 2017, "From the very beginning, she and I were just made for each other, as acting partners. I've never had a partner like her ever in all of my career."

In 1965, when "Days of Our Lives" first started airing, the Horton family was the main focus of the show. When Maggie Simmons, played by Suzanne Rogers, married Mickey Horton in 1975, she became a Horton and has been a staple of the show ever since. Like many "DOOL" characters, she's experienced a lot of drama, including being paralyzed, alcoholism, memory loss, and attempts on her life.

While Rogers doesn't hold the record for the most episodes under her belt, her character is definitely one of the most consistent, appearing in every season since she started. In 1984, Rogers had to leave for a short time due to her diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis, a rare muscular disease that affected her facial muscles. When she returned, she asked that her diagnosis be written into the show for Maggie in order to spread awareness of the disease. This was another opportunity for Maggie to persevere, as well. That is, until she was killed off in 2003 by the Salem Stalker. But don't worry, it was an elaborate hoax, and in a controversial move, the writers brought back everyone who was killed.

In 2010, Mickey Horton died and the writers thrust Maggie into an opposites attract scenario with ruthless Greek businessman Victor Kiriakis. This was a win-win as Victor was able to show his soft side due to his love for Maggie, whereas Maggie got to test the limits of her typically by-the-book persona.

Bill Hayes first appeared on "Days of Our Lives” in 1970. Like his wife, Susan Seaforth Hayes, he also had a burgeoning career in television prior to being on the show, appearing in movies like "Little Women” and "Kiss Me, Kate," and TV series such as "Decoy" and "True Story." But Hayes also had success in theater and as a singer. His rendition of "The Ballad of Davy Crockett," became a #1 Billboard hit, selling more than three million copies. Over the years, Doug and Julie would often belt out a tune during celebrations or at Doug's Place — later renamed Julie's Place —the restaurant the fictional couple owns in Salem.

One of the most amazing aspects of Bill Hayes's run on "Days of Our Lives" is the fact that he's well into his mid-'90s and is still appearing as Doug Williams in current episodes of the show. In fact, in 2021, he even had a storyline where he was possessed by the devil. And that's saying something, considering how much more rigorous their schedule is compared to when he first started. After winning the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement award in 2018, Hayes shared with TV Insider, "We used to tape one episode a day. Now, the other shows probably work the way we do, but we do eight shows in five days. It's very intense."

John Aniston started his acting career in the 1960s, appearing in television shows like "I Spy," "Mission: Impossible," and "That Girl." His first stint in the soap world was actually on "Days of Our Lives” in 1970, where he played Dr. Eric Richards for a brief time. From 1980-1984 he was Martin Tourneur on "Search for Tomorrow," and the following year in 1985, he rejoined the cast of "Days of Our Lives” as Greek — and suave but sometimes grumpy — businessman who has been known to break a law or two, Victor Kiriakis. The actor, well into his twilight years, is still sharp as a tack and continues to be featured on the show, shared with The Television Academy Foundation that he clearly remembers his very first scene, which was an auction for a picture. "'One million dollars.' That was Victor's opening line," he said in 2019.

Aniston, who is Greek like his character, shared with Flicks and the City Clips in 2015 that his favorite scene from his time on "DOOL" was getting to shoot on location in Greece for Adrienne and Justin's wedding.

In 2022, he won the Daytime Emmy Lifetime Achievement award. His co-star Suzanne Rogers presented the award, and his daughter, "Friends" legend Jennifer Aniston paid tribute to her dad in a special video message. "His career is literally the definition of lifetime achievement," Aniston said.

Thaao Penghlis is one of those lucky and talented actors to be cast as two different characters on "Days of Our Lives" — one evil and one not so evil. Well, Tony DiMera is no angel, but compared to his cousin Andre, he seems like he's on the side of good. Interestingly, these two are identical even though they are not twin brothers. Tony first appeared in 1981 when he was originally thought to be Stefano DiMera's son. And though it was later revealed that the gardener was actually his father, Stefano adopted him and treated him like a son. Meanwhile, Andre, who was thought to be Stefano's nephew, turned out to be the son. Confused yet?

Don't feel too bad, as many folks in Salem were often caught off guard by the old switcheroo that kept happening with Tony/Andre. At one point in the early 2000s, Penghlis was on hiatus for 10 years from Tony and eight from Andre. It seems reprising roles might be this actor's thing. In 2014, he rejoined "General Hospital" as Victor Cassadine after more than 30 years! He's also appeared in "Santa Barbara" and "Mission: Impossible."

Of course, in 2019, he returned to the role that seemed to be made for him, as Stefano's son Tony. Interestingly enough, Penghlis told "Slasher Scotty" in a 2022 interview that he is the one who suggested Joe Mascola for the role of his father, the iconic Stefano DiMera.