“Days of Our Lives” has been on television for decades. The show first began airing on NBC in 1965. The series focuses on the people living in the fictional midwestern town of Salem. Salem’s most prominent families include the Hortons, Bradys, Kiriakis, Dimeras, Carvers, Hernandez, and Blacks.

Throughout the years, there have been so many characters that have come and gone from Salem. It seems that fans all have their favorite characters. You may love Nicole Walker’s scheming or Gabi Hernandez’s wild ways. Perhaps you’re partial to Abigail Deveraux’s sweet nature, or Ben Weston’s bad boy side. Whatever it is, it there’s a character that everyone can love when it comes to the soap opera.

Over the years, “Days of Our Lives” has given fans a plethora of incredible characters, and they’ve been vital to many of the storylines along the way.

Marlena Evans is one of Salem’s most dramatic characters

Deidre Hall joined “Days of Our Lives” as Marlena Evans in the 1970s, and she became an instant favorite among fans. Over the years, Marlena has been involved in some of the most shocking storylines on the show such as being possessed by the devil, being kidnapped, brainwashed, and even being made to believe that she was a serial killer dubbed the Salem Stalker. She’s also had iconic romances with characters like John Black, Roman Brady, and Don Craig.

Bo Brady is Salem’s original bad boy

Peter Reckell first appeared as Bo Brady in the 1980s. He was a leather-wearing, motorcycle-riding, member of the Brady clan. He not only won over Hope Williams’ heart but the hearts of the viewers as well. Through the decades, Bo has been a hero, a father, a grandfather, and at times a reason for heartbreak. However, he remains a fan favorite to this day.

Stefano DiMera is the best soap opera villain of all time

Joseph Mascolo is one of the most recognizable faces from daytime television. The actor portrayed the role of Salem’s biggest villain Stefano DiMera for decades. Through the years, Stefano did too many despicable acts to count and often hurt many of the most beloved characters. Although he was a bad guy through and through, Stefano is one of the best and most loved characters to ever be seen on “Days of Our Lives.”

Sami Brady is the character we all love and hate

Alison Sweeney’s name will forever by synonymous with “Days of Our Lives” and her character Sami Brady. The actress stepped into the role of Sami at the perfect time and she never looked back. Sweeney gave it her all as Sami often plotted and schemed to get her way despite the consequences. Although she was often causing trouble for other fan-favorite characters, viewers couldn’t help but root for her anyway. To this day, Sami is still one of the most well-liked characters on the show, although she’s seen far less these days.

Will Horton and Sonny Kiriakis were the first same-sex couple in Salem

As “Days of Our Lives” moved into the more modern storylines, the sudser debuted their first-ever same-sex couple. Legacy characters Will Horton (Chandler Massey) and Sonny Kiriakis (Freddie Smith, Zach Tinker), have changed the definition of the super couple. Fans rooted for them to get together after finding out that they were both gay, and watching Sonny help Will come out to his friends and family members. The pair even made history when they tied the knot in daytime television’s first same-sex male wedding ceremony.

John Black has struggled with his identity for decades

John Black is not just one half of a super couple with Marlena Evans. The character, played by Drake Hogestyn, is also one of the most dramatic and mysterious characters to ever appear on “DOOL.” John came to Salem in the late 1980s and it was later believed that he was Marlena’s presumed dead husband, Roman Brady. However, when the real Roman returned to Salem, John’s identity crisis started all over again. He began to search for answers about his background, finding out information that had him believing that he was an Alamain and a DiMera, only to be debunked and start back at square one.

Hope Brady is “Days of Our Lives'” sweetheart

Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso) rose to fame on “Days of Our Lives” when she was paired with Bo Brady. The character resonated with the younger viewers and the drama that followed her. Over the years, Hope was kidnapped, brainwashed, lost a child, and was forced into a loveless marriage with Larry Welch. All of thise kept viewers tuning in day after day to see what was next for the character.

Steve “Patch” Johnson’s adventures drew fans in

Steve Johnson (Stephen Nichols) is one character that many fans will always remember. From his sandy blond hair to his signature black eyepatch, Steve was easy to like immediately. As Bo Brady’s best friend the two made for an epic duo. Later, when he fell in love with Kayla Brady (Mary Beth Evans), he became part of a super couple that has lasted for decades.

Abe Carver is Salem’s most upstanding citizen

Abe Carver (James Reynolds) is one of the most well-respected citizens in Salem. Over the years, Abe has been a police officer, police commissioner, and the longtime mayor of Salem. He’s also been a loyal friend, devoted father and husband, and all-around nice guy. In a world full of drama, Abe’s relatively calm life is often an enjoyable break from the chaos.

Tom and Alice Horton are DOOL’s gold standard

You can’t think about iconic “Days of Our Lives” couples without mentioning the original Salem duo, Tom and Alice Horton. Tom (MacDonald Carey) was a well-respected doctor at University Hospital, and Alice (Francis Reid) was his loving wife who raised their children and was the quintessential mother and grandmother. Together, the pair have set the standard for life and relationships for most members of the Horton family, as well as many other Salemites as well.

“Days of Our Lives” is one of the longest-running shows on television. The cast may have changed over the years, but fans still feel connected to Salem and the characters portrayed on the sudser.

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