Stefano DiMera

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Stefano DiMera

Joseph Mascolo as Stefano DiMera
Days of our Lives character
Portrayed by Joseph Mascolo
Frank Fata (1991)
Davide Shiavone (2007)
Duration 1982–85, 1988, 1991, 1993–2001, 2006—
First appearance January 18, 1982[1]
Created by Pat Falken Smith
Introduced by Betty Corday
Al Rabin
Classification Present; regular
Profile
Aliases The Phoenix
Rudolpho Meradi
Serge Anatol
Mrs. Lafferty
Joseph M. Wagner
Occupation Crime Lord
former Chairman of DiMera Enterprises
Owns 49% of Titan Industries
Residence 430 Lakeview Drive
Salem, U.S.A. 06649

Stefano DiMera is a fictional character, a villain on the American soap opera Days of our Lives. Created by head writer Pat Falken Smith, he is portrayed by Joseph Mascolo.[2] Stefano is the patriarch of the DiMera family and the father of Renée DuMonde, Megan Hathaway, Benjy Hawk, Lexie Carver (née Brooks), EJ DiMera and Chad DiMera and the stepfather of Antony DiMera; He is also the adoptive father of Peter and Kristen Blake. He had a nephew, André DiMera, who through plastic surgery became identical in appearance to Antony. Stefano is the ex-husband of Kate Roberts and Vivian Alamain. Stefano and longtime rival John Black were revealed to be half-brothers after it was discovered that Stefano's father Santo DiMera also fathered John. Stefano first entered the show as an organized crime kingpin. Soap Opera Digest named him the all time best villain.[3]

Casting and development

In the early 80s, then head writer, Pat Falken Smith created the role specifically for Mascolo after seeing his performance as real life crime boss, Salvatore Maranzano on the NBC miniseries, The Gangster Chronicles in 1981.[4] Mascolo first appeared as Stefano in 1982. He departed from the series in March 1983, and returned a year later only to depart again in February 1985.[1] Mascolo briefly returned to the series from November to December 1988.[1] Actor Frank Fata appeared in the role of Stefano for two episodes in December 1991.[5] Mascolo reclaimed the role on a contractual basis on September 17, 1993. He departed from the show in December 1996, and re-appeared in February 1997 for a few episodes.[6] Mascolo returned to the show full-time once again on June 13, 1997.

Controversial '01 exit

In late February 2001, a post on Mascolo's official website revealed that contract negotiations were not going well and Mascolo was expected to last appear in May. However, a representative of Mascolo's took to the website to deny the reports.[7] In April 2001, rumors of Mascolo's exit due to failed contract negotiations began to surface once again and the producers were apparently considering recasting the role.[5] Days later, Mascolo was spotted at CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful; despite the reports, neither Mascolo, NBC or CBS would comment on the rumors.[8] In May 2001, Mascolo took to his website to confirm the news:[9]

My contract is up in May and I tried to negotiate in good faith... Usually, one expects some give and take but the powers that be are adamant. They now feel that the character of Stefano should take a rest - as if Stefano ever rests.

Though Mascolo seemed disappointed with the show's decision to write the character out briefly, executive producer Ken Corday revealed plans to bring the character back by the fall of 2001 whether Mascolo was available or not.[9] Mascolo made his last official appearance on June 14, 2001.[10] Though Mascolo initially denied the reports, he did indeed debut in the role of Massimo Marone on The Bold and the Beautiful in August 2001.[11]

'06 Return and storyline dictated exit

In the fall of 2006, following Mascolo's exit from B&B due to lack of storyline, reports began to surface claiming that Mascolo was going reprise his role as Stefano. The series' producers later confirmed plans to revive the DiMera family in order to stop a decline in ratings.[12] A deathly ill, comatose Stefano began appearing on December 19, 2006. Though some sources list Mascolo in the cast credits for the episodes, neither Mascolo or NBC have ever stated that he portrayed comatose Stefano.[13] It was later confirmed that Mascolo would reappear in the role officially on 2007, along with costars, Thaao Penghlis (Tony DiMera) and Leann Hunley (Anna DiMera).[14] Mascolo made his first official appearance as Stefano on June 6, 2007.[12] However the stint proved to be short lived with Mascolo last appearing on February 29, 2008 and the character of Stefano was written out to allow the writers to come up with more story for him. In May 2008, the tabloid, Globe confirmed that Mascolo had been fired and Stefano was written into another coma. This decision did not sit well with Mascolo who gave a heated interview to Soap Opera Digest accusing the executives of "double crossing" him.[15][16]

'08 Return and brief '12 departure

In the summer of 2008, it was confirmed that Mascolo would once again reprise his role as Stefano in August 2008. Mascolo later revealed in an interview that his initial anger was fueled by emotion following the death of his father. Following his initial ousting, fans took to his website to express how much they missed the character. The fan fervor allowed for Mascolo's return upon a mutual agreement with executive producer, Ken Corday. Mascolo reappeared on August 5, 2008 just before Days took its annual hiatus for the Summer Olympics.[16] In 2012, after breaking up the character's marriage to Lauren Koslow's Kate Roberts, making him responsible for his own daughter, Lexie Carver's (Renée Jones) death and undoing his father/son relationship with James Scott's EJ DiMera, the character appeared to have been written into a corner. With nearly the entire town gunning for Stefano, several sources later confirmed that Stefano was indeed being killed off with Mascolo last appearing alive on June 4, 2012.[17] Mascolo discussed his disapproval in an interview with Soap Opera Digest:[18]

Every single thing that went wrong in Salem was Stefano’s fault. Every single thing. He got blamed for everything. When Stefano got blamed for this business with Lexie illness, I got very angry. Stefano and his daughter had an absolutely pure relationship. I adore Renee Jones (Lexie). When she came to my dressing room and said, “I’m going to be leaving soon, and this is what is going to happen,” I said, “Oh, no!"[19]
It was very difficult. The bottom line Stefano is will always be about family. So when they wrote that, I couldn’t figure it out. In all honesty, Stefano nor EJ would have had wanted it that way. As a matter of fact when James Scott (EJ) saw the business that Elvis wasn’t Stefano’s son, we both went, “No, that’s wrong.” We didn’t want it that way.[19]

On June 13, 2012, Mascolo goes off screen following the character's funeral. Despite what was going on screen, certain sources reported that Mascolo could possibly reprise his role very soon.[19] Following the change in head writers it was confirmed that Mascolo was indeed on his way back and made his first appearance on August 21, 2012. Mascolo discussed that the plan was always to have Stefano turn out to be alive, but he didn't agree with how the previous writing regime had scripted the story. With the return of former show runners, Gary Tomlin and Christopher Whitesell, Mascolo seemed more "intrigued" with their plans for his character. Mascolo's return also coincides with Eileen Davidson's return as Stefano's daughter, Kristen Blake.[20] Mascolo reappeared as Stefano on October 8, 2012.[21]

Storylines

Stefano first appears on-screen in January 1982 with his son Tony surveying the citizens of Salem. Stefano travels to Salem shortly after being introduced as the friend of Lee DuMonde and it is soon revealed he is the father of Lee's daughter, Renée, which adds complications to her relationship with Tony.[22] Stefano attempts to help Tony win back his wife, Liz Chandler while Stuart Whyland begins blackmailing him and Stefano kills him. In 1983, Stefano is sent to prison thanks to Detective Roman Brady. Before his death, Stefano's wife, Daphne reveals that Tony isn't his biological son. Stefano returns in 1984 with his nephew, André who has gotten plastic surgery to look like Tony. Together they plan to frame Roman for a string of murders and while Stefano discovers another daughter, Megan Hathaway. Her adoptive father, Maxwell had access to the "Three Prisms" that could cure Stefano's brain tumor. In November 1984, in his quest to obtain one of the prisms, Stefano apparently kills Roman after pushing him off a cliff.[22] In February 1985, Bo Brady's wife Hope is framed for Megan's murder and Stefano vows revenge on the entire family. He kidnaps Roman's twins, Sami and Eric and Roman's widow Dr. Marlena Evans shoots him apparently killing. Stefano resurfaces in 1988 to claim his son Benjy who is about to be adopted by Kayla Brady and her husband Steve Johnson, as well as to attempt to "reprogram" Roman, who he had brainwashed in 1984/5, to serve as one of his assassins. He traps several of Salem's citizens on his island but his plans for revenge are foiled and he escapes. In this iteration Stefano is presented as more of an international terrorist than a simple gangster.[23]

In December 1991, John Black and Roman Brady discover Stefano in a Mayan pyramid in Mexico. The pyramid collapses and Stefano is once again believed to have perished. Though he survives the collapse, his brain tumor is slowly killing him. Stefano returns to Salem in 1993 and he is taken hostage by Curtis Reed in his weakened state; Curtis's attempt to extort money from Stefano's adopted daughter, Kristen Blake is foiled after Stefano kills him.[23] He then convinces Tony and Kristen to marry but the marriage is runined when Stefano is revealed as the murderer. In an attempt to avoid capture, Stefano speeds away as John shoots out his tires and his car explodes. Stefano retreats to his New Orleans estate, Maison Blanche where he kidnaps Marlena and John. After the mansion burns down, Stefano buys a penthouse in Salem, next door to Marlena.[22] Stefano sneaks into her apartment every night and opens her soul leading to Marlena becoming possessed by a demon. Under possession, Marlena pushes Stefano out of a window; after the demon is exercised, a guilt ridden Marlena helps Stefano recover. In December 1995, Tony fakes his death and frames John.[22] Stefano is later struck by lightning and becomes so obsessed with Marlena that he bribes the judge presiding over John's murder trial to issue the death penalty. In August 1996 Stefano's plans to frame John are soon revealed and he skips town with Marlena to Paris where he is shot by his former lover, Rachel Blake. Later, his longtime confidant, Celeste Perrault reveals that he fathered her daughter, Dr. Lexie Carver the wife of Salem's police commissioner. Stefano brings Kristen's lookalike, Susan Banks to town, impregnates her and plans to pass the baby off as Kristen's baby, which she actually miscarried; Susan gives birth in February 1997 to Elvis and flees after discovering Stefano's plan.[23] After recovering from a heart attack, Stefano marries Vivian Alamain on December 16, 1998, and plots to kill her to get back all of his belongings left to Vivian by her late husband and Stefano's employee, Jonesy Jones.[24] In 1999, Stefano brainwashes Hope Brady into thinking she is Princess Gina Von Amberg and Gina now in love with John, kidnaps him; feeling betrayed, Stefano exiles her to Paris.[25]

In early 2000, the Brady's rescue Hope from Paris. Hope learns she is pregnant and Stefano believes he is the father. Stefano convinces Lexie to adopt a child, and then switches Hope's son with another, leaving the child with Lexie and Abe.[26] In 2001, the truth about the baby switch is revealed and Stefano skips town in June 2001.[27]

In 2006, an ill Stefano sends little Elvis, now known as EJ to impregnate Sami Brady so they can use the fetus's stem cells. After they steal John's kidney, Stefano proposes that Sami and EJ marry and raise the child together so they can end the feud between the families.[28] In 2008, the origins of the feud are finally revealed and John Black is revealed to be Stefano's paternal half-brother, the son of Santo DiMera and Colleen Brady. Stefano had once again erased John's memory in an attempt to turn him to the Pawn again. In 2009 Stefano agrees to help EJ's wife, Nicole hide the fact that she switched another baby with Sami's at birth. EJ is furious when he learns the truth and he kidnaps his daughter, Sydney and fakes her death, leaving everyone devastated, including Stefano. Stefano learns from Anna DiMera that EJ paid her to care for Sydney while everyone believed she was dead; he uses the information to rebuild his relationship with EJ.[28] In September 2009, Stefano marries Kate Roberts after helping her get out from under attempted murder charges.[29]

In 2010, Madeline Peterson Woods returns to Salem and after she dies, it is revealed that her son, Chad was actually fathered by Stefano, and Madeline convinced Kate to keep the secret.[28] In 2011, Stefano helps EJ kidnap Sami's husband, Rafe Hernandez and keep him in the DiMera basement while putting a lookalike in his place.[28] In 2012, the DiMera empire begins to crumble when Stefano learns EJ isn't really his son and Lexie is diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor thanks to toxic gases she was exposed to when Stefano had André kidnap her. Meanwhile, Kate has an affair with a man from her past, Ian McAllister and Stefano files for divorce, taking everything from her. Stefano also turns John and Hope back into the Pawn and Princess Gina after revealing they are married; he forces them to retrieve a precious coin from Alamainia for him. Several other schemes continue to backfire on Stefano including his attempt to sabotage EJ's mayoral campaign and him blackmailing Will Horton. Having angered many of his enemies, Stefano is shot and presumably killed in early June 2012. Suspicion for the murder quickly falls upon EJ, who continuously professes his innocence, but no one, save for Will or Sami, seem to believe him. After a series of explosions rock Salem in early August 2012, EJ flees with Sami in tow, and is subsequently abducted by Ian McAllister, who professes that he framed EJ for Stefano's "murder". Ian then pulls back a curtain, revealing a very much alive Stefano, who is unconscious, bound in a chair and wearing a mask. Ian also confesses to falsifying Alice's letter, as well as the blood test that stated EJ wasn't Stefano's son. Stefano suddenly resurfaces in Europe and convinces his daughter Kristen to come home and bring the family back together.

Henchmen

Name Storyline Missions Status
Wilhelm Rolf Various throughout the 90s and 00s Perhaps Stefano's most faithful and longest-lasting henchman, Dr. Rolf usually served as Stefano's right-hand and personal physician and scientist. Last seen in 2008, serving as the DiMera family butler.
Gina Von Amberg Hope's past/art/Gina and John affair Copied famous paintings and helped Stefano replace the originals with fakes. Died of gunshot wound in Salem.
John Black various Worked with Princess Gina on Stefano's schemes
May Chin Salem Slasher Storyline
Andre DiMera Impersonated Tony
Framed Roman Brady as the Salem Slasher
Committed suicide in a hospital by turning off his life support (Andre had been hospitalized after falling from a roof when taking Hope Brady hostage).
Delia Abernathy 1982–1984 Stefano DiMera's maid and henchwoman
helped Andre DiMera escape to London.
Silvan Hodak 1983 Attempted to kill Roman Brady at his wedding to Marlena in 1983 (he was a tailor at the tuxedo shop).
Petrov Ridgecrest (1983)
The Three Prisms (1984–1985)
Helped keep Marlena Evans and Liz Chandler hostage at Ridgecrest.
held Gene Bradford, Tony DiMera, and Anna DiMera hostage.
Shot Bo Brady.
Left Shane Donovan to die with a bomb nearby.
Brought the Pawn (John Black) to Salem
Killed in December 1985 by Victor Kiriakis's people.
Alex Marshall 1982–1983 Killed Tim Casey, a police officer, in an effort to scare Roman
Plotted to kill Alice Horton.
Sent to prison after burning down the Salem Inn to collect the insurance money in 1987.
Nurse Honeycutt The Three Prisms (1984–1985) Took care of Sami and Eric Brady when Stefano had them kidnapped.
Lied in court about Marlena, seeking revenge, when she was on trial for the death of Stefano in 1985
Kept Daphne DiMera under control.
Jimmy Porterfield The Three Prisms (1984–1985) Helped Stefano kidnap Marlena and the twins after befriending Marlena
Lied in court about Marlena, seeking revenge, when she was on trial for the death of Stefano in 1985.
Tried to kill Bo Brady.
Mackenzie The Three Prisms (1984–1985) Posed as Marlena's bodyguard, while actually infiltrating her house and allowing the twins to be kidnapped.
Maxwell Hathaway The Three Prisms (1984–1985) Killed by Andre DiMera.
Sonia Romanov The Three Prisms (1984–1985) Helped Stefano find the third prism. Killed by the Dragon.
Anna DiMera Left Salem for parts unknown in 1986, last seen in Salem in 2010.
Drew Donovan (lago) Stefano's Return/The Island (1988) Laid false clues for Stefano about Marlena being alive to play with Roman and Diana's minds. Escaped Salem in early 1989.
Milo Stefano's Return/The Island (1988) Captured Roman Brady and Diana Colville on Stefano's island. Last seen on Stefano's island.
Jeremiah Brown Stefano's Return/The Island (1988) Assassin for Stefano who was trained along with Roman Brady (John Black) and Drew Donovan... planned to kill many of those on the island Was killed by Drew.
Orion Hawk Stefano's Return/The Island (1988) Trained Roman Brady/John Black in martial arts years earlier. Left Salem with Benjy to Europe in 1990.
Domingo Salazar The Tale of Two Romans (1991) Guided John and Marlena through San Christabel
Held Roman and John at gunpoint in Mexico.
Was taken to the ISA headquarter and later sent to prison.
Curtis Reed (Brown) Hired by Peter Blake to kill John Black, but failed and blackmailed Kristen Blake for money. Killed by Stefano.
Celeste Perrault Maison Blanche (1994) Held John prisoner at Maison Blanche
helped keep Hope at Maison Blanche.
Still living in Salem.
Peter Blake Temporary "Insanity": Peter poisons Laura into insanity (1994) Arranged to medicate Laura Horton to make her think she was going insane again Peter is currently serving a sentence of unknown length in an out of state prison to which Stefano had him transferred. He is serving time for kidnapping (Jennifer), attempted murder (Hope, Jasper, Jennifer, Jack, everyone at St. Luke's during Jenn's funeral). Stefano said he would try his best to "reduce" Peter's sentence. It is not known if he is serving time for any of his previous crimes (gaslighting Laura, killing Jude St. Clair, etc.).
Paul Paris
Travis Malloy Kidnapped Jennifer Died from falling a cliff in fight with Jack Deveraux.
Daryl Kay Kristen's Schemes to Keep John and Marlena apart (1996–1997) Performed laser surgery on Laura Horton to erase her memory about Kristen and her fake pregnancy.
Carmine The Brady/DiMera feud Tried to kill Lucas Roberts. In prison.
Marco Various Paid by Stefano to leave town after he shot Maggie Horton ( He was trying to kill Victor Kiriakis but Maggie got in the way).
Impostor Rafe 2012 Hired by Stefano and EJ to take the place of the already kidnapped Rafe Hernandez in order to terrorize the kids so Sami would divorce Rafe and EJ could get full custody of his kids. Killed in jail.
Det. Joseph Bernardi (Stefano's dirty cop) 2013 Was ordered by Stefano to get the evidence against Will shooting EJ from the police station and give it to him. Later, he was sent by a jealous Stefano to cut off Rafe's private parts while he was in a coma. Shot by Sami and was killed by Gloria Nash.

Fake death timeline

The following list is a timeline of Stefano's fake "deaths"; he either faked them himself, was presumed dead, or was reported dead by others.

  • A stroke in 1983.
  • His car plunged into the icy waters of Salem's harbor during a police chase in 1984
  • Marlena shot him, and he fell from a catwalk as the building caught fire in 1985 (he also had a brain tumor)
  • In 1991, he was presumed to have died in another fire and cave collapse.
  • In 1994, his car erupted into a fireball after being shot at by John.
  • Also in 1994, he drowned near Maison Blanche.
  • In 1996, he died in a plane explosion.
  • Again, in 1996, he was blown up and buried under collapsing tunnel during confrontation with Rachel Blake. This was his last depicted "death" until 2007.
  • In 2002, Andre DiMera (posing as Tony) claimed that his uncle had died from injuries sustained from a car crash in Monte Carlo.
  • In 2004, when Marlena and the presumed dead Salem Stalker victims found a blackened, unrecognizable corpse on Melaswen, Andre (posing as Tony) claimed it was Stefano. Andre said he had killed Stefano by draining his blood so Andre could cure his own blood disease.
  • In 2005 he gave control of Providence to Michael.
  • In 2007, his death was faked once again. As a setup by the Salem P.D., Steven "Patch" Johnson appeared to stab Stefano to death, but he was drugged and a fake funeral was set up to lure Andre.
  • In 2009, he had a heart attack, but survived.
  • On June 1, 2012, Stefano DiMera was shot dead from behind after several characters confronted him about his crimes. On August 16, Ian McAllister claims to have killed Stefano and on August 20, Ian admitted to EJ that he killed Stefano and planned to frame EJ for the murder. On August 21, it was revealed that Stefano was not killed. Ian used an imposter that looked like him named Paulo. He faked the letter that said EJ is not Stefano's son and faked their blood types in the hospital.

See also

DiMera family

List of soap opera villains

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 "The Joe Mascolo Picture Pages". SuperiorPics.com. Retrieved June 6, 2012. 
  2. "Joseph Mascolo - Stefano - DAYS OF OUR LIVES - DAYS". Soapoperadigest.com. Retrieved 2010-05-29. 
  3. "Joseph Mascolo voted best villain of all time by Soap Opera Digest article". Josephmascolo.com. Retrieved 2010-05-29. 
  4. "Joseph Mascolo - Stefan". Soap Opera Digest. Archived from the original on 2010-08-20. Retrieved 2012-06-12. 
  5. 5.0 5.1 Kroll, Dan J. (April 16, 2001). "Mascolo might leave; Stefano could be recast". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  6. "Joseph Mascolo Bio". Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  7. Kroll, Dan J. (March 9, 2001). "Mascolo's future at DAYS unclear". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  8. Kroll, Dan J. (April 20, 2001). "DAYS trouble could make Mascolo Bolder". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  9. 9.0 9.1 Kroll, Dan J. (May 23, 2001). "Mascolo to DAYS execs: Bah humbug!". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  10. Kroll, Dan J. (June 10, 2001). "Mascolo, Stefano exit DAYS this week". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  11. Kroll, Dan J. (August 12, 2001). "Mascolo makes a Bold move". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  12. 12.0 12.1 Kroll, Dan J. (May 7, 2007). "Mascolo brings Stefano back to Salem". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  13. Kroll, Dan J. (August 12, 2001). "Report: Mascolo set to resurrect DAYS' Stefano". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  14. "The DiMeras return to Days! (Update)". Soaps She Knows. Atomic Online. May 18, 2007. Retrieved June 6, 2012. 
  15. K., Lisa (May 4, 2008). "Joseph Mascolo Fired From Days Of Our Lives?". Daytime Confidential. Zap2it. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  16. 16.0 16.1 Kroll, Dan J. (July 15, 2008). "Mascolo's Stefano to rise again, thanks to a "mutual conclusion"". Soap Central. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  17. Di Lauro, Janet (May 29, 2012). "Days of Our Lives' Comings and Goings". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved September 8, 2012. 
  18. Di Lauro, Janet (May 31, 2012). "Joseph Mascolo's Days of Our Lives Exit Interview". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved September 9, 2012. 
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 Fairman, Michael (May 31, 2012). "Joe Mascolo Speaks Out About Being Written Out Of DAYS … For Now!". On Air, On Soaps. Retrieved September 9, 2012. 
  20. Di Lauro, Janet (August 20, 2012). "Joseph Mascolo Dishes His Return to Days of Our Lives". About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved September 9, 2012. 
  21. "Ins&Outs". CBS Soaps In Depth. October 8, 2012. p. 15. 
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 "Days of Our Lives CAST - Stefano DiMera". Retrieved 2012-01-14. 
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 "Who's Who in Salem: Stefano DiMera". SoapCentral.com. Retrieved 2012-01-15. 
  24. "Days of our Lives Yearly Summaries: 1998". DaysofourLives.com. 
  25. "Days of our Lives Yearly Summaries: 1999". DaysofourLives.com. 
  26. "Days of our Lives Yearly Summaries: 2000". 
  27. "Days of our Lives Yearly Summaries: 2001". 
  28. 28.0 28.1 28.2 28.3 "Days of our Lives: Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo)". Sony Pictures. Retrieved 2012-06-12. 
  29. "Days of our Lives - Bios - Joseph Mascolo as Stefano DiMera". NBC.com. Retrieved 2012-06-12. 

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