Arleen Sorkin added levity and laughter to Days of our Lives when she debuted as Calliope Jones in 1984, an eccentric dressmaker with a penchant for strawberry soda, beef jerky, and all things quirky. A comedic actress extraordinaire, she earned back-to-back Daytime Emmy nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1988 and 1989 and was part of some memorable storylines during her tenure in Salem.
Arleen Sorkin: Moments To Remember
Here’s a look back at the late Arleen Sorkin’s top five moments as Calliope Jones.
Enter with a Bang
Calliope started out as an employee of Liz Curtis’s (Gloria Loring) clothing business. She was making a dress for Anna DiMera (Leann Hunley), who became her future boss at Anna DiMera Designs and good friend. Her life took a wild turn when she found a diamond necklace, which was originally owned by Daphne DiMera. She claimed it was hers, not realizing Stefano DiMera was after it, because it contained one of three prisms he was desperate to acquire. Calliope’s lie made her target and thrust her into a front-burner storyline.
Love Is in the Air
Calliope found her soulmate in the equally quirky Eugene Bradford (John de Lancie). Although they originally butted heads, they eventually realized they were two of a kind, fell in love, and got engaged in 1985. The couple married on New Year’s Eve in a snowy outdoor wedding. Their wedding night was filled with innuendo, particularly when Calliope saw her groom in the buff for the very first time and exclaimed, “Huge,” as in “Euge,” short for Eugene. Shortly after their honeymoon, the pair appeared on The Newlywed Game.
Bow Wow Wedding
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Calliope was instrumental in orchestrating daytime’s first canine wedding ever in 1987. No joke. After finding out that her beloved dog, Martha, was pregnant, Calliope was determined to make an honest pooch out of her. So she tracked down the male dog that got Martha pregnant, Reggie DuBois, and planned their nuptials.
Honey, I’m Home
After being abandoned by Eugene, who had actually disappeared while experimenting with his Time Machine, Calliope moved on with her life. In 1989, Eugene returned, having traveled into the future with an android version of Calliope that he built himself. Eventually, Eugene and the real Calliope reunited. That is, until some men seeking Eugene’s android of Calliope kidnapped the real Calliope by mistake. Eventually, Eugene rescued Calliope, and the pair went off to live happily ever after.
Return Engagement
Calliope resurfaced in Salem in 2006 as a successful wedding planner summoned to arrange her good friend Marlena’s (Deidre Hall) nuptials to Alex North (Wayne Northrop). While in town, she also helped Shawn and Mimi plan their wedding, although she butted heads with Mimi’s mother, Bonnie (Judi Evans). During her visit, Calliope explained that she was now living in New York and noted that she and Eugene were doing well.
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