Matthew Ashford has been on and off Days of Our Lives for decades, making us want to root for Jack Deveraux at times… and at other times want to drop kick him into next week. But through it all, Ashford has made him utterly watchable.
But how much do you actually know about the veteran actor, considering he first step foot in Salem 30 years ago back in 1987? Well, now is your chance to find out. Here are five fast facts about the actor who brings Jack to life.
In the Beginning
Ashford was born on January 29, 1960, in the town of Davenport, Iowa, though he has dual citizenship with Canada because of his father.
He is the third youngest of eight kids, having four older brothers, one older sister, and two younger sisters. When he was 12, his sisters took him to auditions for a local play, and the rest, as they say, is history.
First Soap
Soon after arriving in New York City, he was under put contract by ABC and cast as Drew Ralston on the late and lamented One Life to Live. Drew was adorable and sweet, but sadly he didn’t have a very long life. After one year on the show, in a heartbreaking move, Drew was killed in a flower shop on the eve of his wedding.
Brothers To The End
His next soap role in 1984 went more smoothly — until it didn’t. He was cast as a McCleary brother on Search For Tomorrow, where his character, Cagney, was beloved because of his love affair with Suzy. Sadly, he wasn’t the one canceled — the show was when SFT was told in 1986 there would be no more tomorrows.
Getting Personal
Ashford has been married twice and has two grown daughters with his first wife, and two young children with second wife, Lana.
Spokesperson
The handsome actor became the spokesperson for Retinoblastoma International, an organization the Ashfords helped to form after their daughter, Emma, contracted the rare form of infant eye cancer. She is now in remission.
Days of our Lives (DOOL) airs weekdays on NBC. Check your local listings for airtimes.
Video Credit: Angie Evangelia
Video Credit: pylkje17
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