17 Stars Who Were on Days of Our Lives

Like sands through the hourglass ... 'Days of Our Lives' is only getting better with time! The long-running soap opera premiered on Nov. 8, 1965

Days of Our Lives has been on the air for nearly 60 years, and has launched the careers of some major celebrities, including Christina Applegate (as a baby!), Lisa Rinna, Jensen Ackles and Mila Kunis. Look back at the stars during their time on the show, and see what they've had to say about getting their start on the long-running soap opera.

01 of 16

Christina Applegate

Christina Applegate on Days of Our Lives

Fox

While presenting at the 2023 Emmy Awards, Christina Applegate paid tribute to the role that started it all, as a three-month-old baby named Burt Grizell on Days of Our LIves in 1972 (her mom, Nancy Priddy, starred on the show at the time).

02 of 16

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis at the 1998 Fox Television TCA event in Pasadena. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

A-lister in training! In one of her first television appearances, Kunis played a young Hope on a 1994 episode.

03 of 16

Lisa Rinna

DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- Season 28 -- Pictured: Lisa Rinna as Billie Reed-- Photo by: Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank
Gary Null/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank

Before the cameras panned to her personal life, the Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star played Billie Reed from 1992 to 1995, a role she's returned to reprise on the show several times since.

While appearing on PEOPLE in the '90s over the summer, Rinna revealed that her most "surreal" '90s moment was having a fling with her costar Patrick Muldoon — "the guy who played my brother."

"Well, not an affair, but a couple of one-night stands with the guy who [played] my brother. Patrick Muldoon and I had like, a thing," she clarified.

04 of 16

Jensen Ackles

DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- Pictured: Jensen Ackles as Eric Brady (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Before he shot to stardom with Supernatural, the actor played Eric Brady from 1997 to 2000.

05 of 16

Pamela Anderson

Canadian actress Pamela Anderson, wearing a floral print mini dress, attends a 'Baywatch' photocall in Los Angeles, California, circa 1992. (Photo by Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Vinnie Zuffante/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty

The Baywatch babe stunned as Cindy in 1992.

06 of 16

Pat Sajak

LOS ANGELES - NOVEMBER 1: THE PAT SAJAK SHOW. Pictured is Pat Sajak, host. Image dated November 1, 1988. (Photo by CBS via Getty Images)
CBS via Getty

He's known for running the show on Wheel of Fortune, but Sajak had a small role as Kevin Hathaway on Days in 1983.

07 of 16

Kathie Lee Gifford

LOS ANGELES - 1981: Actress Kathy Lee Gifford poses for a portrait in 1981 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry Langdon/Getty Images)
Harry Langdon/Getty

A whole decade before she got her start in morning television on Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee, Gifford played Nurse Callihan for one episode in 1975.

08 of 16

Vivica A. Fox

Vivica Fox during 1998 MTV Movie Awards in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The Independence Day actress had a recurring role as Carmen Silva in 1988.

09 of 16

Jamie Chung

Jamie Chung during Haven House 2007 Oscar Suite - Day 2 at Private Residence in Beverly Hills, California, United States. (Photo by Jordin Althaus/WireImage for Classic Entertainment Group)
Jordin Althaus/WireImage

The Dexter star played Cordy Han on the hit soap in 2007.

10 of 16

Tara Reid

Tara Reid
Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

The American Pie star appeared as Ashley for five episodes in 1995.

11 of 16

LeAnn Rimes

LeAnn Rimes during AMA '98 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc)
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic

The "Can't Fight the Moonlight" singer graced Days for one episode, portraying Madison in 1995.

12 of 16

Kyle Richards

HOLLYWOOD, CA - NOVEMBER 19: TV personality Kyle Richards attends the premiere of Walt Disney Animation Studios' "Frozen" at the El Capitan Theatre on November 19, 2013 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by David Livingston/Getty Images)
Kyle Richards. David Livingston/Getty

Another Beverly Hills Housewife with Days credits to her name, Richards played Casey McGraw in a trio of episodes in 2013.

13 of 16

Ashley Benson

Ashley Benson
Jesse Grant/WireImage

Before she starred on Pretty Little Liars, the actress practiced her craft in the role of Abby Deveraux from 2004 to 2007.

14 of 16

John Aniston

DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- Pictured: John Aniston as Victor Kiriakis -- (Photo by: Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Frank Carroll/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Talk about the role of a lifetime! Jennifer Aniston's father has played Victor Kiriakis on the soap since 1985, appearing in more than 3,500 episodes, according to his IMDb page.

15 of 16

Andrea Barber

DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- "Tony DiMera & Anna Brady Wedding" -- Pictured: (l-r) Andrea Barber as Carrie Brady, Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans -- (Photo by: Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
Gary Null/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

The Full House star got her big break as a child actor in the 1980s, playing Carrie Brady from 1982 to 1986.

16 of 16

Alison Sweeney

DAYS OF OUR LIVES -- Pictured: Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady (Photo by NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images)
NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty

Another longtime cast member, Sweeney got her start as Sami Brady from 1993, exiting in 2014 after 21 years. She returned in 2015 in honor of the show's 50th anniversary, and reprised her role once more in 2017.

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