‘Days of Our Lives’ Comings & Goings: An Actress Does Double-Duty with ‘9-1-1’
This week’s Days of Our Lives comings and goings focuses on a cast member joining the hit series 9-1-1. Plus, a soap opera veteran joins the cast as a corrupt judge. And more familiar faces come to the canvas this week.
Vanessa Estelle Williams of ‘Days of Our Lives’ joins ‘9-1-1’
According to Soaps @ SheKnows, a Days of Our Lives cast member will be doing double-duty on 9-1-1.
Vanessa Estelle Williams, whom Days fans know as Eli’s mom Valerie, has just joined 9-1-1 in a recurring role as Claudette Collins. So what does this mean for her work in Salem? “Williams should be available to reprise her soap role when Valerie’s son and daughter-in-law need her support — as in, when the fit hits the shan over the fact that Lani grew up believing that Tamara was her mother when, in fact, Paulina is,” reports the outlet.
Williams has been very busy as of late. She recently starred in the new Candyman film, and she’s also filming for Generation Q, which is Showtime’s L Word spinoff.
A soap opera veteran returns to the canvas
Also this week on Days of Our Lives, a soap opera veteran is also returning to the canvas.
SoapHub is reporting that Richard Steinmetz has begun a recurring stint as Judge Robert Smails. Judge Smails is the same judge that Gwen tried to blackmail. It’s unclear how long Steinmetz will be on the canvas for, but we can expect him to pop up periodically in the coming weeks.
Soap opera fans will recognize Steinmetz from his various roles in soaps over the years. He first appeared in soap operas back in 1989, when he was on Loving as Jeff Hartman. Steinmetz held that role until 1993. He also starred in Passions and General Hospital.
Other comings & goings from Salem
Speaking of soap opera veterans, John Aniston — yes, father of Jennifer — is back on the Days of Our Lives canvas for the week of October 11. The elder Aniston has been playing the role of Victor Kiriakis since 1985, though his time on the canvas has been significantly reduced now that he’s pushing 90. However, did you know that Aniston originally starred on Days of Our Lives back in 1969?
In his original star turn on the show, Aniston played a character called Eric Richards. He only had that role for a year, though, before he left Salem for the first time. Aniston then began starring in other soap operas, including Love of Life and Search for Tomorrow. This was back in the 1970s, when soap operas were at their peak.
Ultimately, though, Aniston rejoined Days of Our Lives in 1985, where he originated the role of Victor Kiriakis. This week, you can expect Victor to work overtime to get Justin and Xander out of jail. Hopefully, we’ll be seeing more of Victor in the coming weeks, too.
