Days of Our Lives’ Shining Sands: Catch Up With Former Salem Faves In Our Then-and-Now Photo Gallery
How about a slightly different trip beyond Salem?
It really is true what they say: Time flies when you’re having fun. Of course, we all know they also say, “Like sands through the hourglass, these are the days of our lives.”
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It’s been almost six decades since Days of Our Lives first debuted, and in that time, we’ve had a ton of fun and seen more grains of sand pass through that hourglass than we could ever count. We’ve also seen a slew of actors come and go, grow up and age with a grace we all wish we could manage.
In fact, just to drive that last point home, we thought it might be fun to put together a photo gallery of former cast members of Days of Our Lives.
Amongst those you’ll find in the gallery below is a guy who has remained so eternally youthful that it feels as if there might be something supernatural about it, and a woman who left Salem to later become one of the best known matriarchs (and slappers) in the history of daytime television. And how could we forget the guy who would go on to play as many roles on General Hospital as Kristen’s had doppelgängers over the years!
Ready to get swept up in memories even as we catch you up with what some of your favorites are up to these days?
Well, all you’ve got to do to begin your journey is click below to check out the gallery!
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Image: Howard Wise/JPI, Jill Johnson/JPI, NBC Universal via Getty Images
1/25
<p>Back before he was making waves sweeping Victoria off her feet as <em>Young & Restless’ </em>first Ashland Locke, Richard Burgi was romancing Patsy Pease’s Kimberly Donovan as fiancé, film producer and occasional adult film creator Phillip Collier. </p>
Image: Jill Johnson/JPI, NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
2/25
<p>Chapman was so nice, <em>Days of Our Lives</em> brought her back twice! Though she originally took over the scheming and occasionally murderous Angelica Deveraux back in 1989, the show brought her back in 2019 as <em>another </em>schemer (and, it turns out, Leo’s mom) Diana Colville!</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
3/25
<p>Jennifer Horton’s goodguy brother Mike has the distinction of being one of the most recast characters in daytime history, but the face most folks likely associate him with belongs to Roark Critchlow who played the doc from 1994 to 1999. And indeed it was Critchlow’s Mike who we just saw a little while ago came back to help his sis out with her addiction problem! </p>
Image: Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Dee Cercone/Courtesy of the Everett Collection
4/25
<p>She may not have been the first Laura Horton, but Flannery was <em>dang</em> close, stepping into the role four months after the character was introduced in 1966. She would, of course, go on to play <em>Bold & Beautiful</em>‘s Forrester matriarch, Stephanie, a part she played until deciding to retire in 2012.</p>
Image: Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
5/25
<p>One show’s loss is another’s gain! Alexander got her big soap break playing Julie’s rival, Susan Hunter, but once <em>Days of Our Lives</em> dropped the ball in negotiations, <em>General Hospital</em> snatched snatched her up to famously play Laura’s mom, Lesley Webber.</p>
Image: NBC Universal, Inc., Getty Images Entertainment
6/25
7/25
<p>Long before Paulina showed up to romance Abe, her sister, Tamara, pursued the handsome cop. But singing was always McCoo’s first passion, and in 2021, she and hubby Billy Davis Jr. released their first album together since 1978.</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
8/25
<p>After originating the role of Roman Brady, Norhtrop moved over to roles in <em>Dynasty</em> and <em>Port Charles</em>. Eventually, he made his triumphant return to Salem! Kind of. This time, he played Alex North, Marlena’s abusive ex who died after falling over a cliff… Ouch.</p>
9/25
<p>It’s been well over a decade since we’ve seen Max, but it hasn’t been nearly that long since spotting Brooks! Shortly after leaving, he brought that mischievous twinkle in his eye to <em>Bold & Beautiful</em> where he’s played Bill and Quinn’s son, Wyatt, ever since!</p>
10/25
<p>It’s not often you get a character arc like that of Nick Fallon. He went from high school nerd to twice-murdered, Satanically-raised zombie! (Hey, it happens. At least in Salem!) Luckily, Berris cuts just as fine a figure as the undead as he did in glasses!</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, JPI
11/25
<p>Before Greg Vaughan stepped into the role, Jensen Ackles was the first actor to play an adult Eric Brady. Well, mostly adult. Just look at that baby face! Afterwards, Ackles went on to star in approximately 59 seasons of <em>Supernatural</em>! (OK, it was only 15.) Next, you can catch him in Season 3 of ABC’s <em>Big Sky. </em></p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, ABC
12/25
<p>Before joining the <em>Port Charles</em>/<em>One Life to Live</em>/<em>General Hospita</em>l shared universe to play a whole slew of characters, a then-25-year-old Easton had already mastered the art of the smolder while playing <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ rebellious Tanner Scofield.</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
13/25
<p>The <em>Real Housewives of Beverly Hills</em> star has been in and out over Salem for over three decades, and she’s still looking as glamorous as ever. Only last year, the lipstick-selling actress brought Billie back for the first go-round of <em>Beyond Salem</em>. </p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johnson/JPI
14/25
<p>Liz Chandler wasn’t a good friend, but she tried her darndest to be a great lover! After Liz shot rival Marie Horton, Loring left <em>Days of Our Lives</em> to get back to her singing roots. She released seven albums after her soap stint, including a re-recording of her hit, you guessed it, “Friends and Lovers!”</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, John Paschal/JPI, Jill Johnson/JPI
15/25
<p>Warlock originated Frankie Brady in the ‘80s, then brought him back in the early 2000s to mix it up with Pinson’s take on Billie Reed. Clearly, fans couldn’t get enough of their faces because the actors did their share of soap hopping, both having stints on <em>Young & Restless</em> and visiting upstate New York — he as <em>General Hospital</em>’s A.J., she as <em>Port Charles</em>’ Eve!</p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI, ABC
16/25
<p>Whether playing a teenage version of John and Marlena’s daughter Belle in Salem or Frisco and Felicia’s feisty offspring Maxie over on <em>General Hospital</em>, it’s clear that the years haven’t dimmed Storms’ radiant smile! </p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
17/25
<p>Years after Susan Flannery traded NBC’s <em>Days of Our Lives </em>for CBS’ <em>Bold & Beautiful, </em>Bauer made the reverse trip. Having been much-loved as <em>Young & Restless</em>‘ Lorie, Bauer stepped into Ms. Horton’s high heels in 1993. She would play the role of Jennifer’s mom sporadically until 2021, when Laura died during a confrontation with Gwen. </p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
18/25
<p>With successes like <em>Melrose Place</em> and <em>Starship Troopers</em>, Muldoon may have hit it big after originating the role of Billie’s brother Austin, but he never forgot his soap roots — no matter how many alien bugs he squashed! He even brought Austin and his killer hair back after a 16 year break.</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection (2), Jill Johnson/JPI
19/25
<p>Carrie was so adorably wholesome, scheming sis Sami never quite managed to keep Austin from her. What <em>did </em>do it was Peck jumping over to play <em>As the World Turns</em>’ Brad Snyder and <em>One Life to Live</em>’s Rick Powers. But both Peck and Clark returned to their supercouple roots for 2021’s <em>Beyond Salem,</em> looking as cute as ever!</p>
Image: Aaron Mongtomery/JPI, James Atoa/Courtesy of the Everett Collection;
20/25
<p>It’s a good thing Fath went from brunette to blonde, because otherwise, we wouldn’t have been sure we’d pulled these photos from far enough apart! But grow up she did, moving over to play<em> One Life to Live</em>‘s Gigi before briefly dropping back into Salem a couple years back to update us on a (slightly) more mature Mimi! </p>
Image: John Paschal/JPI, Jill Johnson/JPI
21/25
<p>Cook cornered the teen heartthrob market when he appeared as a newly SORASed Shawn before playing doctor on <em>General Hospital</em> as Matt Hunter. These days, he prefers to keep his boyish good looks behind the camera as a film writer, director and producer!</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Johson/JPI
22/25
<p>It’s been three decades since Sorel first appeared on <em>Days of Our Lives</em>, but by the time she stepped into Vivian Alamain’s villainous shoes, the actress was already a successful star of film and television. Though she takes it a bit easier these days, Vivian is never far from Sorel’s heart.</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, ABC
23/25
<p>Before hitting it big on <em>The Nanny</em>, Shaughnessy was one of <em>Days of Our Lives</em>’ original ISA superspies, Shane Donovan. His hair might be a bit lighter these days, and he may have abandoned the side of the angels to take on a devilish role as <em>General Hospital</em>’s villainous Victor Cassadine, but he’s still got that same impish smile!</p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Jill Jones/JPI
24/25
<p>It took a little work to find just the right actress to play Stefano’s illegitimate daughter, Lexie, but once they did, there was no looking back. Well, there wasn’t until she died in Abe’s arms! We have to say, though, Jones still makes one beautiful angel! </p>
Image: NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection, Howard Wise/JPI
25/25
