Thaao Penghlis Biography

Fast Facts

• His role on "Days of Our Lives" earned him two nominations for Soap Opera Digest Awards, one for Favorite Return and another for Favorite Villain
• While studying acting at night, he worked as an apprentice antique dealer during the day, specializing in eighteenth-century and Chinese art
• Worked as a diplomat, helping Greek immigrants seeking Australian citizenship, but when he moved to New York City to work for the United Nations, he met acting coach and director Milton Katselas and decided to try an acting career
• Quote: "Once I only dreamed of the life I'm now living․ Maybe I can remind people that the best does exist and can be ours if only we take the time to look for it and work for it․"
• His guest starring roles are often in crime dramas including "Kojak," "Cannon," "Tenspeed and Brown Shoe" and "Magnum, P․I․"
• His best known work is in daytime soap operas such as "Days of Our Lives," "Santa Barbara" and "General Hospital․"
• When he returned home for Christmas after finding success as an actor, he replaced his family's three-foot tree with an eight-foot tall one and covered it in decorations while they were asleep