Soap Opera Veteran Crystal Chappell Celebrates Her Birthday

It’s been some time since she graced television screens with her presence, but Crystal Chappell — actress, series creator, and executive producer — remains ever busy. And that’s a feat worth celebrating…as is the incredible milestone that Chappell is currently recognizing.

Happy Birthday, Crystal Chappell

And that’s because she was born on August 4, 1965, in Silver Spring, Maryland, which means that this talented multi-hyphen is turning 58 years old today! Chappell had some small roles on All My Children and Santa Barbara before she landed the contract role of Dr. Carly Manning (AKA Katerina von Leuschner) on Days of our Lives.

During her three-year tenure at the soap, Crystal Chappell’s Carly was successfully paired opposite the heroic Bo Brady (played by both Robert Kelker-Kelly and Peter Reckell) and the villainous Lawrence Alamain — played by Michael Sabatino. She was also at the center of a much-touted storyline that saw her drugged into catatonia and buried alive by her arch-rival Vivian Alamain (Louise Sorel).

Chappell followed that part with one on the ABC serial One Life to Live — where she played novice nun Maggie Carpenter. From July 2, 1999, to September 18, 2009, she played Olivia Spencer on Guiding Light.

Initially conceived as a short-term villainess, Olivia stuck around and semi-reformed — resulting in a fascinating anti-heroine character. Crystal Chappell’s work netted her a Daytime Emmy Award — in the Supporting Actress Category — and reams of publicity, especially once a storyline was launched that saw Olivia develop feelings for a same-sex character.

After GL’s cancellation, Chappell briefly reprised her DAYS role, and she also originated the character of Danielle Spencer on The Bold and the Beautiful. Crystal Chappell is the creator, executive producer, and star of the web serial Venice: The Series, and she is the executive producer and co-star of the web serial Beacon Hill.

Chappell has been married to former co-star Michael Sabatino since January 6, 1997. They have two sons: Jacob Walker (born May 11, 2000) and Dylan Michael (born September 2, 2003).

Soap Hub would like to wish Crystal Chappell a very happy birthday, and you can, too, by clicking on the Twitter link below.