Days of Our Lives Favorite William Utay Celebrates His Birthday

Doctor Wilhelm Rolf has been giddy as a schoolboy ever since Mayor Jack Devereaux promised to set him up in his own privately funded laboratory but actor William Utay certainly has another reason to celebrate.

That’s because he was born on September 7, 1947, in Dallas, Texas, which means that this talented performer is turning 72 years old today! Despite being best known for his work on Days of Our Lives, Utay is no stranger to film and television audiences.

His first acting role was a cameo part in the 1982 soap opera spoof series Filthy Rich. Throughout the 1980s and ’90s Utay guest starred on a multitude of popular primetime shows including Mike Hammer, The Twilight Zone, Knight Rider, Designing Women, The Paper Chase, and Hunter. His film credits include walk-ons in Harlem Nights, Scorpion, Walker, and Species.

Between 1984 and 1992, Utay starred in 34 episodes of the hit NBC sitcom Nightcourt. First as Phil Sanders, a homeless drunkard and former stockbroker (26 episodes) and then his evil twin brother Will Sanders (8 episodes). See, he was prepared for a role on Days of Our Lives but he didn’t even know it!

Utay made his DAYS debut in September of 1997 and remained in the part until Rolf’s presumed death in 2003. He returned to soap between 2007 and 2008 and has become a recurrent guest star since 2017. Days of Our Lives airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.