HAPPY BIRTHDAY DEIDRE HALL!
TL;DR: Days of Our Lives legend Deidre Hall celebrates her 78th birthday today! From playing Marlena Evans for nearly 50 years to creating watercolor greeting cards, we’re honoring this soap icon’s incredible career and the joy she brings to fans worldwide.
Happy Halloween Birthday to a Soap Legend
Born on October 31, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Deidre Hall shares her birthday with one of the spookiest days of the year! And honestly, it’s perfect for an actress who’s been possessed by the devil on television! Today, Deidre turns 78 years young, and Days of Our Lives fans around the world are celebrating this incredible woman who has given us nearly five decades of unforgettable performances as Dr. Marlena Evans.
Deidre originally joined Days of Our Lives in 1976 as a psychiatrist treating Mickey Horton, and she quickly became one of the most beloved characters in daytime television history. What started as a guest role transformed into a legendary career that has spanned generations of viewers. From her early romance with Don Craig to her iconic love story with Roman Brady and eventually John Black, Marlena has been at the heart of Salem’s most dramatic moments.
Fun Birthday Facts About Deidre
Here are some delightful tidbits about the birthday girl that fans might not know! Before becoming a soap superstar, Hall actually studied psychology at Palm Beach Junior College and planned to become a psychologist. Talk about life imitating art—she ended up playing one of daytime’s most famous psychiatrists instead!
Deidre has an identical twin sister, Andrea Hall-Gengler, who actually appeared on Days playing Marlena’s twin sister Samantha Evans (and later the evil Hattie). The two sisters share more than just their looks—they’re also artistic collaborators. Together, they create beautiful watercolor greeting cards under the Westbrook Collection. Deidre Hall fell in love with watercolor painting after spotting artwork in a Santa Monica shop window and immediately signed up for classes. Now she and Andrea paint together, creating stunning collections of shoes, animals, and people.
What makes their greeting card business even more special? Deidre donates 100% of the proceeds to Wounded Warriors, writing on the back of every card: “100% of the proceeds of this card is being donated to Wounded Warriors because they gave 100% to us.” That’s the kind of generosity and heart that makes Deidre Hall not just a soap legend, but a genuine role model.
Marlena’s Most Memorable Moments
Over her nearly 50-year tenure, Deidre has given fans countless unforgettable moments. Who could forget the 1995 demonic possession storyline where Marlena levitated off her bed? Deidre admits she had no idea it was coming. She was called upstairs and told, “You’re possessed by the devil!” The controversial storyline became one of the most talked-about moments in soap opera history.
Then there was the Salem Stalker storyline where Marlena was revealed to be the serial killer terrorizing Salem. She even killed beloved Alice Horton! Of course, all the victims were later revealed to be alive on the island of Melaswen (New Salem spelled backwards), because soaps gonna suds up.
Deidre received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2016, a well-deserved honor for an actress who has become synonymous with daytime television excellence. She’s won three Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress, two Soapy Awards, and has been nominated for three Daytime Emmys. Mattel even created a Barbie-style Marlena Evans doll!
The John Black Storyline That’s Breaking Our Hearts
Currently on Days of Our Lives, Marlena is living through one of the most emotionally devastating storylines of her career—searching for her missing husband John Black after the real-life death of Drake Hogestyn in September 2024. Deidre has described filming this farewell story as “a big ask for everybody,” explaining that the entire cast is trying to carry on and complete the job while grieving their beloved colleague.
Marlena and Steve Johnson have left Salem to find about John’s disappearance, with Marlena declaring, “I’m going to go there and I’m going to find him. And I’m going to bring him home. Your dad is the love of my life.” The storyline will continue into spring 2025, giving Hall the opportunity to honor her on-screen partner of decades in the most beautiful way possible.
In a recent interview, Deidre opened up about what she hopes for Marlena’s future, and her answer might surprise fans. Rather than more demon possessions or serial killer drama, Deidre wants to see Marlena focused on family. “I would love to see her have time with her family,” Deidre shared. “I think that would be healing for her and also for the audience.” After all the supernatural chaos and life-threatening situations Marlena has endured, perhaps what she—and Deidre—deserve most is peace, love, and connection with the people who matter most.
A Full Circle Moment
Adding to the emotion of this birthday, Hall recently celebrated another milestone: Hank Northrop, son of the late Wayne Northrop (who played Roman Brady), has joined Days of Our Lives. Diedre shared her excitement on Instagram, calling it a “full circle moment.” Wayne Northrop was Deidre’s original on-screen love interest, and their chemistry as Roman and Marlena made them one of daytime’s greatest supercouples. Having his son now appear on the show brings the story full circle in the most touching way.
Celebrating 78 Years of Grace and Talent
As Deidre Hall celebrates her 78th birthday today, Days’ fans have so much to be grateful for. This woman has given us decades of incredible performances, from comedy to drama to supernatural horror. She’s shown us that Marlena Evans is a psychiatrist, a mother, a wife, a friend, a hero, and a survivor. Deidre has made Marlena one of the most multi-dimensional characters in soap opera history.
Beyond her acting, Hall has been open about her personal struggles, including her journey to motherhood through surrogacy. She produced and starred in the 1995 TV movie “Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story” about her experiences, helping to normalize conversations about alternative paths to parenthood long before it became common.
Hall is a mother to two sons, David and Tully, both born via surrogate. She’s been married four times and has always been honest about the ups and downs of love and relationships. Her authenticity and willingness to share her real-life challenges have made her relatable to fans who see her not just as a soap star, but as a real person navigating life’s complications with grace and strength.
Here’s to Many More
Happy Birthday, Deidre! Thank you for 49 years of bringing Marlena Evans to life. Thank you for your grace, your talent, your generosity, and your heart. Here’s to many more years of you brightening our screens and our lives. May your day be filled with love, laughter, watercolor paints, yand maybe just a little bit of Halloween mischief!
From all of us at [Your Publication Name] and Days of Our Lives fans everywhere: We love you, Deidre! Have the most wonderful 78th birthday!
