10 Insider Facts for Superfans

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Ted and Betty Corday, a real-life couple, birthed the iconic soap opera.

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Starting as a 30-minute show in 1965, it later expanded to hourlong episodes in 1975.

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Frances Reid's Legacy:

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Deidre Hall's sister, Andrea, joined as Samantha Evans, marking the first real-life twins on a soap opera.

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Before Sami Brady, Alison Sweeney played a younger version of Adrienne Johnson in 1987.

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Drake Hogestyn portrayed seven roles on the show, a unique feat in soap opera and TV history.

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Julia Roberts was recognized as a "Days devotee" in 2004 by Entertainment Weekly.

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Offscreen Romance:

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Dan Wells played "Stan," Sami's male alter ego, during Alison Sweeney's 2005 maternity leave.

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After Another World's cancellation in 1999, Days of Our Lives became NBC's longest-running soap opera.

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8 Hidden Realities of Days of Our Lives

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10 Insider Facts for Superfans

Ted and Betty Corday, a real-life couple, birthed the iconic soap opera.

Matrimonial Creators:

Starting as a 30-minute show in 1965, it later expanded to hourlong episodes in 1975.

Time Evolution:

Frances Reid's Legacy:

Deidre Hall's sister, Andrea, joined as Samantha Evans, marking the first real-life twins on a soap opera.

Real Twins Debut:

Before Sami Brady, Alison Sweeney played a younger version of Adrienne Johnson in 1987.

Early Alison Sweeney:

Drake Hogestyn portrayed seven roles on the show, a unique feat in soap opera and TV history.

Drake Hogestyn's Record:

Julia Roberts was recognized as a "Days devotee" in 2004 by Entertainment Weekly.

UK StruggJulia Roberts, the Devotee:les:

Offscreen Romance:

Dan Wells played "Stan," Sami's male alter ego, during Alison Sweeney's 2005 maternity leave.

Bold Casting Move:

After Another World's cancellation in 1999, Days of Our Lives became NBC's longest-running soap opera.

NBC Longevity:

8 Hidden Realities of Days of Our Lives