News

Days of Our Lives fans, today we’re looking at some of the incredible real-life romances of actors who met and worked together on the NBC Peacock soap. Some of these you may know about, some you may not. One lucky lady found love twice on the set, and she actually married two different hunks from Days. And one of those marriages is still going strong.

Days of Our Lives: The Enduring Love Story of Bill Hayes and Susan Seaforth Hayes

All right, so we’re going to start with a couple you know about because we all cried last year when we lost actor Bill Hayes (Doug Williams). And then also had to say goodbye to his character Doug Williams. Not only were Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) and Doug one of the longest-running soap opera couples in the history of the genre. But their real-life marriage was absolutely couple goals.

It’s been quite a long time since Days of Our Lives fans saw Michael Sabatino play Lawrence Alamain. Since 1997, he’s been married to his Days co-star, Crystal Chappell, who played Carly Manning. In 2021, the couple announced the good news that they had a grandchild on the way. Sadly, in September 2024, Chappell announced on social media that Sabatino had Parkinson’s disease. Now, they have an update on Sabatino’s condition.

His Good Health Works in His Favor

Chappell posted two pics on X, formerly Twitter, one of which was the logo for Stanford Health Care Medical Center, and the other was of a sign reading, “Parkinson’s Foundation | Center of Excellence.” She captioned them matter-of-factly with, “Michael has Parkinsons.” She then reassured everyone that he was doing fine with, “He’s just fine Folks. We feel blessed and ready for tomorrow. Meanwhile, to quote him, he makes a...

It’s always fun when a villain returns to a soap, especially a wacky one. Fans have enjoyed Louise Sorel’s character, Vivian Alamain, popping in a few times in the last few years on Days of Our Lives because she’s always got some crazy scheme going on. Now, Sorel opened up about one of Vivian’s most iconic moments, which was more disturbing than funny, and how that came to be.

To Jig, or Not to Jig

As if Vivian wasn’t nutty enough to begin with, in 1993, when she was under the influence of some herbs, she had her nemesis Carly (Crystal Chappell) buried alive in a coffin that was outfitted with oxygen, lights, and a walkie-talkie. She eventually came to her senses and told Lawrence (Michael Sabatino) about it, and he quickly rescued Carly.

“I was very grateful for that and that they allowed it to happen,...

1975: Ryan's Hope's Jack visited Sister Mary Joel.

1984: Santa Barbara's Jade ran into David Hasselhoff.

1986: Another World's Reginald had a fire started to stop a story.

2003: The Young and the Restless' John punched Victor."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, "Chichi" Conrad (Alice Reinheart) coped with heartbreaking news.

1967: CBS aired the first color broadcast of The Secret Storm.

1972: The Edge of Night began airing at 2:30 p.m. Et, moving from its usual 3:30 p.

1971: The final episode of A World Apart.

1990: General Hospital's P.K. Sinclair was really Cesar Faison.

1999: The final episode of Another World.

2010: The funeral of Alice Horton on Days of our Lives."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into different and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Judge Abbott (Addison Richards) was infuriated by a young man's rudeness,

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: Humbert Allen Astredo debuted as Nicholas Blair in Dark Shadows.

1971: ABC aired the final epsiode of daytime soap opera A World Apart,...

1968: Dark Shadows' Joe & Guthrie tried to break into Laura's tomb.

1984: Guiding Light's Mindy considered an abortion.

1990: General Hospital's Julian pulled a gun on Paget ("Duke").

1992: Days of our Lives' Vivian arrived in Salem."History speaks to artists. It changes the artist's thinking and is constantly reshaping it into d ifferent and unexpected images."

― Anselm Kiefer

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1952: Radio serial Whispering Sheets premiered. The show was a "serial with a twist." Each new episode presented the story from one character's perspective, and the character that was being focused on changed each day. The fictional narrator--and principal expositor--for the program was "Hope Winslow,...

1988: Gh's Julian shared a hotel room with college sweetheart

Cheryl. 1999: Shawn & Belle met on Days. 2002: Oltl's

Natalie & Jessica found out they were both Viki's daughters.

2002: Gl's Alexandra held an Ex-Wives Club board meeting."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Dr. Maggie Powers (Lydia Bruce) made up an excuse get Dr. Althea Davis (Elizabeth Hubbard) over to her place on Friday night for a surprise bridal shower.

1972: On The Doctors, Dr. Althea Davis explained to Dr. Matt Powers that Dr. Nick Bellini kicked her out when she showed up...

1975: Ryan's Hope's Jack visited Sister Mary Joel.

1984: Santa Barbara's Jade ran into David Hasselhoff.

1986: Another World's Reginald had a fire started to stop a story.

2003: The Young and the Restless' John punched Victor."The best prophet of the future is the past."

― Lord Byron

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1941: On radio soap opera Life Can Be Beautiful, "Chichi" Conrad (Alice Reinheart) coped with heartbreaking news.

1967: CBS aired the first color broadcast of The Secret Storm.

1972: The Edge of Night began airing at 2:30 p.m. Et, moving from its usual 3:30 p.m. timeslot where it had been performing well in the ratings.

1971: The final episode of A World Apart.

1990: General Hospital's P.K. Sinclair was really Cesar Faison.

1999: The final episode of Another World.

2010: The funeral of Alice Horton on Days of our Lives."All true histories contain instruction; though, in some, the treasure may be hard to find, and when found, so trivial in quantity that the dry, shrivelled kernel scarcely compensates for the trouble of cracking the nut."

― Anne Brontë in "Agnes Grey"

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1963: On Ben Jerrod, Judge Abbott (Addison Richards) was infuriated by a young man's rudeness,

Thanks to Jeff for sending in the item above.

1968: Humbert Allen Astredo...

1968: Angelique's portrait first appeared on Dark Shadows.

1980: The Edge of Night's Nola confessed her crimes.

1989: Another World's Vicky gave birth to a baby boy.

1996: General Hospital's Jason ran into Robin on the bridge."Whoever wishes to foresee the future must consult the past; for human events ever resemble those of preceding times. This arises from the fact that they are produced by men who ever have been, and ever shall be, animated by the same passions, and thus they necessarily have the same results."

― Machiavelli

"Today in Soap Opera History" is a collection of the most memorable, interesting and influential events in the history of scripted, serialized programs. From birthdays and anniversaries to scandals and controversies, every day this column celebrates the soap opera in American culture.

On this date in...

1968: On The Doctors, Dr. Matt Powers (James Pritchett) tried to console Dr. Karen...

The soap community took to Twitter last night and this morning in reaction to New York state passing an historic Marriage Equality law. The New York Senate has voted 33-29 to legalize same-sex marriage following easy passage in the House. New York is now the sixth state allowing gay and lesbian couples to marry. Governor Andrew Cuomo will sign the bill and it will go into effect in 30 days. Here's a sample of the reactions below:

@BethAnntastic (BethAnn Bonner): Flying back from La 2nite on the redeye...I'm so proud 2 live n Brooklyn on This wonderful day! #equality (now we can get hitched, my love!)

@crystalchappell (Crystal Chappell): Gay rights are human rights.....thanks u New York!

@JillLorieHurst (Jill Lorie Hurst): Wonderful day to be a New Yorker - going to a wedding shower soon, looking forward to more in the future!! Happy tears on the keyboard.

Filed under: TV News, Celebrity Interviews

Fan favorite (and that's an understatement) Crystal Chappell (Carly) recently stunned fans when she Tweeted on her husband's (Michael Sabatino of 'Knots Landing' fame) account that she would be leaving 'Days of our Lives' later this summer when her contract expires.

The good news is that given how far ahead the show tapes Carly could remain on-screen for quite some time. Another casting shocker quickly occurred when Louise Sorel (Vivian) told TV Guide that she, too, was on her way out.

Sorel revealed in the exit interview that the much-missed Drake Hogestyn and Deidre Hall, who play supercouple John and Marlena, are coming back to 'Days' this summer.

Chappell and Sorel will be deeply missed. Carly is the one true viable threat to super-duo Bo and Hope. Vivian entertains viewers with comedy one moment and turns calculatingly evil the next.

It looks like Crystal Chappell will be leaving Days Of Our Lives as Carly when her contract is up. She tweeted the news on her husband, Michael Sabatino's, Twitter account earlier today.

"Using Michael's phone/Droid's dead. Want you to know, as I understand it, Dool has decided not to renew my contract. I'm sad but grateful for the opportunity. I made new friends and got Venice up and running thanks to you. I wish Days much success. P.S Not the new writers decision. P.S.S Michael's phone sucks. Onward! Xo"

Despite the Days news, Chappell is still busy working on the third season of Venice and her upcoming indie soap The Grove.

What do you think of the news? Surprised? Expected? How would you like to see the character of Carly exit the canvas?...

All My Children's Bobbie Eakes

"To all the wonderful AMC and Oltl fans: thank you so very much for your support over the years. We will always be grateful."

General Hospital's Steve Burton

"Wow. So sad our daytime family is getting smaller. Hang in there all!! You know we appreciate you."

Gotham's Martha Byrne

"Feeling for all the amc/oltl cast, crew and fans today."

Former One Life To Live star Fiona Hutchison

"I cannot begin to tell all of you how deeply saddened I am to know that All My Children and One Life to Live have been cancelled. My love goes out to all of those amazing actors and actresses as well as to all of you who have given so much to these shows. I feel blessed to have been able to have been a small part of something so extraordinary."

Guiding Light's Ron Raines...

Now, there's another reason to watch Days of our Lives. Michael Sabatino, who played Lawrence Alamain on the NBC soap, will be returning to Salem to reprise his villainous character. There's no word yet on when or how he'll make his return but things can only get better from here.

Given the casting rounds these days, it appears that Days of our Lives is gradually getting back to its roots. As reported previously, Guiding Light star Crystal Chappell, has signed on to rejoin the cast of Days of our Lives to reprise her role as Dr. Carly Manning Alamain ---the love interest of Sabatino's Lawrence beginning this August. Ironically, Chappell and Sabatino are also real-life husband and wife. Then, there also the return of Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel), Lawrence's aunt and the one who buried Carly alive. She will be wreaking havoc on Days of our Lives this coming September.