Facts of Our Lives

On the 47th Anniversary of Days of Our Lives, I would like to mention the actors and actresses that appeared on both shows.  The Facts of Life and Days of Our Lives shared more than just the NBC network.  Even their titles both ending in "Life" and "Lives" respectively.

The Theme Song

Yes, yes, yes.... we all know "You take the good, you take the bad..." even if you've never seen the Facts of Life.  It was written by Alan Thicke, Gloria Loring, and Al Burton.  During the first season the vocals were performed by Charlotte Rae.  Afterwards the song was retooled with Gloria Loring herself singing it for seasons 2-6 with a revamp done for seasons 7-9.  Incidently, the theme song to FOL parent show, Diff'rent Strokes, was performed by Gloria Loring's then husband, Alan Thicke.

On Days of Our Lives, Gloria Loring played Liz Chandler for several years in the early 80's.  Liz was a singer at her own supper club until she left to go seek her fame.  In 1986, before Loring had left the show, she recorded "Friends and Lovers" with Carl Anderson, but Liz Chandler had performed the song on Days of Our Lives a year before it hit the charts.  The song was featured heavily on the show for some time as Shane & Kimerly's theme song.

Peter Reckell

Peter is best known for his portrayal of  Bo Brady on Days of Our Lives, for 23 years, spanning over four decades, playing the part he originated.  He is best known on the show for his pairing with Hope and their love that has undergone all the trials and tribulations of a soap opera love!  Probably the most identifiable scene was back when their love was new and he "kidnapped" her on her wedding day to the evil Larry Welch, escaping with the bride on the back of his motorcycle.  Eventually they were married and sailed off into the sunset.  Both characters later returned to the show and have left and returned, surviving deaths and kidnappings, and, well, it's a Soap.  Peter Reckell has recently left the show again to pursue some level of retirement.  He was a beloved character and with luck he will return again!

On Facts, Peter played Alan Cooke.  When the girls head into the city for a luncheon at a fancy restaurant Blair is convinced he is checking her out.  She plays a few coy games to lure him over, but it was Mrs. Garrett he had been looking at.  It turns out his sister attended Eastland and he recognized Mrs. Garrett from before.  Check out the video clip!

David Wallace

On Days of Our Lives, back in the 80's, Todd Chandler came to town.  He was Liz Chandler's brother and she was played by Gloria Loring who performed the theme song to Facts of Life.  Todd had a shady past which connected him to one of Days's historic story lines  "the Purse, the Pawn, the Power" where he had to go on the run with Melissa, played by Lisa Trussell.  The couple eventually married in real life but poor Todd died in a drinking and driving accident and written off the show.

David appeared in two episodes of Facts, playing different characters in both.  In the Eastland years he was Blair's date.  Later in the Edna's Edibles era, he played a rich boring snob, following Blair around a party as she even crawled on hands and knees to escape him!

Holly Gagnier

On Days she played Ivy Jannings, having married Pete Jannings after they got pregnant.  However, he was in love with Melissa Anderson who went on the run with Todd, played by David Wallace.  Her brother on the show was Speed Selejko played by Robert Romanus who would go on to play Snake on FOL.  Holly also appeared on FRIENDS as did another FOL alum Lauren Tom.  FOL fans would know her best as Home Run Helen.

Robert Romanus

Robert played gang member Speed Selejko on Days of Our Lives, connected to Pete, Melissa, Todd and of course his sister Ivy, played by Holly Gagnier.  The actor started his career in Fast Times at Ridgemont High where his character deflowered a virgin.  He would later go on to play Snake Robinson on Facts of Life as Natalie's boyfriend, once again playing a charater to take someone's virginity.  This would not be his only connection to other FOL alum as he also appeared on MacGyver with Richard Dean Anderson, and on 21 JUMP STREET and BOOKER with FOL alum.

Robert Alda

Facts fans will recognize Robert as Mrs. Garrett's ex husband and the father of her children.  On Days of Our Lives he played Dr. Stuart Whyland in the early 80's heavily involved in a storyline with Micky and Maggie and a baby switch surrogacy.

John Ingle

When John Clarke exited the role of Micky Horton on Days, Ingle stepped into the role during the highly publicized storyline which had ten Salemites "killed" by Marlena and transported to an island paradise with an exact replica of Salem.  Micky was torn between his new wife and Maggie, the love of his life who had returned from the dead.  Ingle only played a minor part on FOL as a customer at Edna's Edibles, but for more information on John Ingle, check out "Father Donovan" on the ALMOST FAMOUS page on this blog.

Marj Dusay

Best known as Blair's mother, Monica Warner, on Facts of Life, she also stepped into the role of Vivian Alamain on Days of Our Lives when her portrayer Louise Sorel took a sick leave.  She had also stepped into a role before when she took over the part of Monica Warner from Pam Huntington on Facts of Life.  For more on Marj check out the ROOTS & SHOOTS page on this blog.

Ashleigh Sterling

As a toddler, Ashleigh played Monica Warner's daughter Bailey, Blair's younger sister.  This would make mother and daughter on Facts having both played roles on Days of Our Lives.  Before Alison Sweeney took over the role of Sami Brady on Days, Ashleigh played her as a child.  Alison had also been a child star on the TV show A BRAND NEW LIFE with Barbara Eden, Shawnee Smith, and Jennie Garth.  Bailey's introduction onto Facts of Life was the episode "A New Life".

Kevin Spirtas

 

 

Dr. Craig Wesley turned out to be the father of Chloe Lane on Days of Our Lives, but on FOL Kevin played Doug,  Jo's date.  Both he and Alison Sweeney played Soap stars on FRIENDS, which hosted other FOL alum like Lauren Tom and Holly Gagnier. 


Bumper Robinson



On Days of Our Lives in the late 1980's, Abe Carver's younger brother, Jonah Carver,  was introduced onto the show, played by Robinson.  He was later aged and played by Thyme Lewis.  Lewis also appeared in NOWHERE along with Charlotte Rae.  As Todd on Facts, Robinson played one of the kids at the shelter where Jo volunteered.