It has been almost nine years since Michael Roark appeared on the soaps, but that all changed on Friday, October 3, when the actor joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as Jeremy Horton. The character has not been seen in Salem since 2007, when the role was played by Trevor Donovan. Jeremy is the son of two doctors, one of whom will soon return to the show – Roark Critchlow has been confirmed as one of the actors popping up in Salem to help celebrate its 60th Anniversary and attend the gala honoring his grandfather, Tom Horton.
His mother was Dr. Robin Jacobs, played by Derya Ruggles from 1985 to 1987, and returned briefly in 1989. Read on to find out more about the actor bringing the role to life! Fans of The Young and the Restless will remember that Roark played Travis Winters back in 2016. The character was involved with Amelia Heinle’s Victoria Newman.
An Artist Is Born
Michael Roark was born on May 9 and grew up in Schaumburg, Illinois. With a heritage that includes Irish, Sicilian, and German ancestry, Roark’s background is as rich and diverse as his career. Before entering the world of daytime television and film, he was active in athletics during his youth. His passion for performing came alive at Illinois State University, where he studied in the College of Theater and began shaping the path that would lead him to Hollywood success.
Legal Eagle
Michael Roark isn’t just a talented actor—he’s also a licensed attorney. After attending law school, Roark balanced his legal career with his growing passion for acting. He honed his craft in a number of theater productions before making the leap from stage to screen. Today, while fans know him best for his work in television and film, Roark also practices entertainment law when he’s not in front of the camera.
Soldier Boy
He headlined the 2019 feature film Bennett’s War and later teamed up with DOOL alum Casey Jon Deidrick (ex-Chad) in the hit streaming series Driven. Roark appeared in the Amazon original Something From Tiffany’s. Fans of Passionflix can see him in the adaptation of The Black Dagger Brotherhood. The actor also appeared on the final season of THE CW’s Beauty and the Beast.
Doctor Doctor
On Grey’s Anatomy Season 11, Episode 8 (“Risk”), Roark portrayed Jordan Carter, a U.S. military veteran participating in a cutting-edge robotic limb trial led by Dr. Callie Torres, played by Sara Ramirez, and Dr. Owen Hunt, played by Kevin McKidd. Jordan and his best friend, Rick Schultz, played by Titus Makin Jr., both lost limbs in combat and enrolled in the trial together. During the trial, Jordan was the first to take a few steps using the robotic limb. However, he attempted to ascend a set of stairs against medical advice, resulting in a fall that caused a head injury. After surgery, Jordan fell into a coma, and Rick, initially hesitant, chose to continue with the trial in his friend’s honor. Jordan eventually awoke but remained unresponsive.
Adventure Seeker
Michael loves being outdoors and is always hiking, spending time at the beach, or taking in the sights while vacationing. “Reminder that nature is way more rad than anything you can find behind a screen. 🌴,” the actor once enthused on Instagram.
