Days of our Lives’ Stephen Nichols Celebrates His Birthday

On Days of our Lives, Steve Johnson and Kayla just celebrated their anniversary with a lovely day. In the real world, Stephen Nichols is also celebrating a major milestone.

Happy Birthday, Stephen Nichols

That’s because he was born on February 19, 1951, in Cincinnati, Ohio, which means that this talented actor is turning 73 years old today! Upon graduating from Meadowdale High School, Nichols declined an offered art scholarship and instead joined the Self-Realization Fellowship Center in Los Angeles with intentions to become a monk.

Three years later, he emerged from the ashram and began to pursue a career in the performing arts — with the Theater Academy of Los Angeles City College as his stepping stone.

After completing his studies, Nichols appeared in a number of stage shows — most notably Delirious, Pieces in Time, The Lizard King, Love Letters, and Death of a Salesman — and won numerous kudos and accolades, including three Drama-Logue Awards.

His film debut was the 1978 romantic dramedy, A Different Story, and his first television role was a bit part in Dynasty. Subsequently, he appeared in Wizards and Warriors, Dallas, TJ Hooker, and Crazy Like a Fox, plus had major roles in the feature films Choices, House, and Witchboard.

On June 13, 1985, he joined the cast of the NBC daytime drama Days of our Lives as “Patch,” a henchman for Victor Kiriakis (John Aniston). In time, his on-screen presence grew, and he was eventually given a name — Steve Johnson — a family and a love interest in the form of Kayla Brady, played by Mary Beth Evans.

After spending five years on the soap, Nichols decamped and searched for other projects. In time, he could be seen in episodes of Matlock, LA Law, Murder She Wrote, and Renegade.

His ties to soap opera led to a cameo in the movie Soapdish, as well as a recurring part on 2000 Malibu Road, a brief stint on Santa Barbara, and a six-year run as Stefan Cassadine on ABC’s General Hospital. His other credits include The Nanny, In the Heat of the Night, Second Chances, and Sisters.

Nichols reprised his role of Steve between June 2006 and February 2009. and afterward, he spent four years at The Young and the Restless as Tucker McCall. A third run as Steve began in 2015, followed by a brief break from the role in 2019. He returned several later and has been going strong in Salem ever since.

Soap Hub would like to wish Stephen Nichols a very happy birthday, and you can too, by clicking on the X (formerly Twitter) link below. Also, in the comments below, share your favorite memory of his work or if you’ve met him.