“Like sands through the hourglass… so are the Days of Our Lives.”
The legendary soap opera has entertained audiences for six decades. Premiering Nov. August 1965 and originally airing on NBC, Days of Our Lives transitioned to Peacock in 2022, marking a new streaming chapter after 57 years on network television. It is one of the longest-running scripted programs in the world, and churns out multiple episodes a week focusing on the lives of professionals in the fictional city of Salem, Ill.
Scroll through our list below to see the longest-running Days of Our Lives cast members of all time, including Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), Kristian Alfonso (Hope Williams Brady), Drake Hogestyn John Black), and Alison Sweeney (Sami Brady). To date, each of these four actors has appeared in more than 3,600 episodes.
The series was created by the husband-and-wife team Ted and Betty Corday. Its primary focus revolves around the Brady and Horton families, and later the DiMera and Kiriakis families. Days of Our Lives enjoys a well-known history of pushing boundaries, including artificial insemination and interracial romance in its early years, earning it the title of “most daring drama” in the 1970s.
With over 15,000 aired episodes, Days of Our Lives remains a staple in the soap opera genre, with fans celebrating every time it gets picked for another year. Peacock recently renewed it through 2026. It has won four trophies for Best Drama Series at the Daytime Emmy Awards, in 1978, 2013, 2015, and 2018.
01
Deidre Hall as Marlena Evans
5,288-plus episodes (1976–Present)
Marlena is the show’s compassionate psychiatrist known for her iconic romance with John Black, her destructive family ties, and memorable storylines including demonic possession.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actress (1980), Lead Actress (1984, 1985)
02
Kristian Alfonso as Hope Williams Brady
4,321-plus episodes (1983–Present)
Hope evolved from a runaway teenager into a strong police detective and commissioner, and her romance with Bo Brady has kept her at the forefront of storylines for several decades.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Ingenue (1985)
03
Drake Hogestyn as John Black
4,297 episodes (1986–2024)
John was introduced as “The Pawn” with amnesia, whose complex identity journey, spy escapades, and enduring romance with Marlena Evans defined much of his screen time.
Daytime Emmy nominations: None
04
Alison Sweeney as Sami Brady
3,619-plus episodes (1987–Present)
Sami is a complicated woman who never turns down an elaborate scheme or a passionate love affair, especially when it comes to EJ DiMera and Lucas Horton.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actress (2015)
05
Peter Reckell as Bo Brady
3,528-plus episodes (1983–Present)
Bo is well known for being the “bad boy with a heart of gold” in Salem, who has experienced numerous anticipated deaths and identity struggles through the years.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actor (2009)
06
Frances Reid as Alice Horton
3,386 episodes (1965–2007)
Alice was the adored matriarch of the Horton family known for her kind heart and wise counsel, not to mention her delicious donuts. The character died off-screen in 2010.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actress (1979), Lead Actress (1987), Lifetime Achievement Award (2004 winner)
07
Suzanne Rogers as Maggie Horton Kiriakis
3,190-plus episodes (1973–Present)
Maggie survived physical challenges and personal tragedies to become a strong and compassionate matron known for her steadfast kindness and long-standing relationships.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actress (1979 winner)
08
John Clarke as Mickey Horton
3,084 episodes (1965–2023)
Mickey was a prominent lawyer in Salem who navigated complex family dramas, most notably the secret surrounding the paternity of his son Michael with his wife Laura.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actor (1979), Lifetime Achievement Award (2004 winner)
09
Macdonald Carey as Tom Horton
3,027 episodes (1965–1994)
Thomas, a well-respected doctor at Salem University Hospital, was the patriarch of the Horton family and an esteemed figure throughout the town, until his death in 1994.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actor (1974 and 1975 winner; 1976 nominee)
10
Susan Seaforth Hayes as Julie Olson Williams
3,022-plus episodes (1968–Present)
Julie is a foundational presence on Days of Our Lives who evolved from a carefree youngster into the matriarchal pillar of the Horton family, renowned for her fiery spirit and consistent family loyalty.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actress (1975, 1976, 1978, 1979), Supporting Actress (2018, 2020), Lifetime Achievement Award (2018 winner)
11
Melissa Reeves as Jennifer Horton
2,977-plus episodes (1985–Present)
Jennifer is a long-standing character who started out as a rebellious teenager and evolved into a dedicated journalist and loving mother. She’s perhaps best known for her fan-fave romance with Jack Deveraux.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Younger Actress (1992), Supporting Actress (2016)
12
Lauren Koslow as Kate Roberts
2,918-plus episodes (1996–Present)
Kate is a resilient and manipulative matriarch who rose from a troubled past as an anesthesiologist and lady of the evening to become a formidable businesswoman in Salem.
Daytime Emmy nominations: None
13
Josh Taylor as Chris Kositchek/Roman Brady
2,918-plus episodes (1977–Present)
Chris, a gym owner and foreman, is known for complicated romantic entanglements with women like Mary Anderson and Amanda Howard. Roman is a police commissioner who repeatedly faces off against his arch-nemesis, Stefano DiMera.
Daytime Emmy nominations: None
14
Arianne Zucker as Nicole Walker
2,827 episodes (1998–2024)
Nicole was a glamorous fixture on the soap opera who evolved from a scheming gold-digger to a woman desperately seeking true love and family, often through tumultuous feuds.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actress (2010, 2013), Lead Actress (2014, 2020, 2022)
15
James Reynolds as Abe Carve
2,826-plus episodes (1981–Present)
Abe is a highly respected police officer, commissioner, and later Mayor of Salem, who consistently embodies integrity and loyalty despite facing never-ending personal tragedies.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actor (2018 winner; 1991 and 2022 nominee), Supporting Actor (2004 and 2017 nominee)
16
John Aniston as Victor Kiriakis
2,761 episodes (1970–2023)
Victor was a powerful and cunning Greek businessman and former crime lord, known for his ruthless rise to power, loyal family entanglements (especially with Caroline Brady and his children), and witty sarcasm.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Supporting Actor (2017), Lifetime Achievement Award (2022 winner)
17
Bryan Dattilo as Lucas Horton
2,279 episodes (1993–2024)
Lucas was a complex character known for his rocky romances (particularly with Sami Brady), his struggles with alcoholism, and his complicated ties to both the wealthy Roberts and the foundational Horton families.
Daytime Emmy nominations: None
18
Mary Beth Evans as Kayla Brady Johnson
2,175-plus episodes (1986–Present)
Kayla is a dedicated and compassionate doctor on Days of Our Lives who, despite enduring numerous personal tragedies and conflicts, consistently acts as a moral anchor in Salem.
Daytime Emmy nominations: Lead Actress (2016 winner); also won seven trophies for The Bay
