Credit: Mitchell Hasseth/NBC/Courtesy of the Everett Collection; Jill Johnson. Paul Skipper, Howard Wise/JPI
Thank You, Thank You, Very Much
Image Credit: John Paschal/JPI
EJ was born in 1997, with mom Susan Banks (then Eileen Davidson) believing the Elvis Presley was his father. Spoilers: He wasn’t. Stefano had been impersonating the late legend to create a child for Kristen — by sleeping with his daughter’s look-alike. Ew. But Susan messed it all up and ran off with beau Edmund Crumb to raise EJ in the UK.
Boy Howdy, Neighbor!
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
James Scott first showed up in Salem in 2006, going by “EJ Wells,” Sami’s sympathetic, just slightly creepy neighbor. But sketchy never stopped Sami from romance, and sparks started flying between the two. And for once, we can’t blame her!
Operation Kill John Black
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
EJ, though, wasn’t who he seemed. It turns out that instead of being raised by Susan, Stefano had snagged little Elvis, raised him in New Orleans and educated him in a British boarding school. He came to town to kill John, which, shockingly did put an end to his romance with Sami!
Half Twins (Wait, Is That Right?)
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
While on the run after shooting John, EJ ran into Sami who needed his help saving an injured Lucas. EJ agreed, in exchange for her having sex with him. That rape resulted in Sami getting pregnant with his child, Johnny — while also pregnant with Lucas’ daughter, Allie!
A Shotgun Wedding
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
Not only was Sami forced to have sex with EJ, but she was also coerced into marrying him to end Stefano’s vendetta against the Brady family. It almost worked… but then Will shot EJ at the altar!
The Last Straw? Really?
Image Credit: Paul Smith/JPI
Despite their problematic start, EJ and Sami eventually grew close. EJ even severed ties with his father upon discovering John was being held captive in the DiMera mansion tunnels. Murder and rape were all well and good, but brainwashing? Perish the thought!
A Respectable DiMera
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
EJ made a go of a normal life with Sami, going so far as to work as a lawyer at Mickey Horton’s firm. But just as they fell in love, Sami reunited with Lucas and EJ turned to Nicole for solace. Cue feud in three… two…
Back to the Dark Side
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
Eventually, EJ returned to the family fold as the DiMera lawyer. Nicole became pregnant, but lost the baby — not that she told him! Conveniently, Sami was also pregnant with EJ’s child, so Nicole just stole her rival’s baby and passed it off as her own. As one does.
Less-Than-Super Heroics
Image Credit: Paul Smith/JPI
After learning about the baby swap, EJ won Sami back by kidnapping and “rescuing” their own baby, Sydney. And he would have gotten away with it too, if it wasn’t for that darn Rafe outing EJ’s baby-napping scheme and putting an end to his and Sami’s wedding plans!
A Gun, a Sister, and a Doppelgänger
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
Next up, EJ survived Sami shooting him and he married Nicole to help his custody case against his ex. But then, EJ fell in love with Nicole’s sister, Taylor, hired a Rafe doppelgänger to ruin Sami’s relationship and… well, it’s never a dull moment for the Brit!
On the Campaign Trail
Image Credit: Paul Skipper/JPI
Once you get mixed up with someone dubbed “Robo Rafe,” it may be time to rethink prioritie.! So in an attempt to change his ways, EJ signed over custody of his kids to Sami and ran for Mayor. But a DiMera does as a DiMera will, and he was soon using dirty tactics against his opponent, Abe!
Tempted by the Fruit of a Deveraux
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
Unable to resist each other for long, Sami and EJ reunited. Together, they faced Nick blackmailing Will, Chad taking a bullet meant for EJ and Sami trying to kill Nick. They got through all that mostly unscathed, but then EJ had to go and have an affair with Abigail (then Kate Mansi)!
I Now Pronounce You Prisoner and Wife
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
Sami found out about EJ’s affair, but went through with their wedding anyway. But, this being Sami, it was all part of her revenge plan. Just as they took their first dance as husband and wife, she orchestrated it so EJ was arrested for tax evasion!
One Big Happy Family… Headed For Tragedy
Image Credit: Howard Wise/JPI
Alas, EJ made bail and won Sami back, but he had no money or job due to her machinations. So, that kind of backfired… Eventually, he turned to illicit dealings, which led him to Clyde Weston and his men. And that, of course, got him shot and killed — temporarily!
Is That You in There, EJ?
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
Thanks to Kristen, who injected her brother with Dr. Rolf’s magical highly scientific drug, EJ actually survived. Though believed dead by everyone else, Sami spent years searching for him. She finally found him in 2018 amongst the rubble of Rolf’s blown-up lab. Bandaged and incapacitated, Sami took EJ to Rome for treatment.
Hello, It’s Me
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
After rehabilitating, EJ finally returned to Salem in 2021 (now played by Dan Feuerriegel) and quickly became embroiled in DiMera business. He was also there to repair his marriage to Sami, but promptly threw her out of when he found out she cheated on him with Lucas!
Out of Sight…
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
…Out of mind! Unbeknownst to EJ — or anyone else in Salem — Sami was kidnapped almost immediately after he threw her out of the house. But what did he care? He was too busy shacking back up with Nicole!
Guilty Until Proven Innocent
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
When Sami escaped captivity, she and EJ planned to reunite — after she informed him she’d never leave him alone or sign his divorce papers! Super healthy relationship there. But his arrest for Sami’s kidnapping put a crimp in those plans — despite Lucas being the guilty party!
Sister Act
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
Proving he’s got a thing for blondes, EJ’s stint in jail got him real close with his lawyer (and Sami’s sister!), Belle. And Shawn was not taking that sitting down. But he was taking it standing up!
Board Now
Image Credit: Jill Johnson/JPI
Thanks to Satan and Jake’s help (as is shockingly typical in Salem) Gabi took over DiMera Enterprises while EJ was in prison. But when he got out, his attempts to take it back were less than succesful! At least there’s always Clyde’s drug business to fall back on!