Joseph Mascolo obit

‘Days of Our Lives’ star Joseph Mascolo dies at 87

 He was not on the list.

Freda 'Fritzi' Cohen

Joseph Mascolo, the actor who portrayed archvillain Stefano DiMera on the NBC soap opera “Days of Our Lives,” died this week at 87 after a battle with Alzheimer’s disease, the network said.

Mascolo passed away Wednesday, but NBCUniversal announced his death Friday.

He joined the daytime drama in 1982 and was featured intermittently until his last appearance this year.

“Joseph was a big ‘ol bear with a puppy dog heart. I’m so blessed to have had these many years with him. I will miss him every day,” said his wife, Patricia Schultz-Mascolo, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Mascolo had many roles in a decades-long acting career but was best known as DiMera, a villain also known as “The Phoenix” for many dramatic comebacks from supposed demise. He won three Soap Opera Digest awards for outstanding villain.

He last appeared on the show in January, when his character apparently was shot to death. Naturally fans wondered whether “The Phoenix” would rise again, but Mascolo hinted otherwise.

“Last spring, I had a small stroke,” he told Soap Opera Digest in January. “During my rehab, I thought this would be a good time for Stefano to leave.

“The producers visited me and we worked out a tentative plan, and the writers beefed up the storyline to what you see on TV.”

 News of his death spread on social media, and fellow co-stars and fans expressed their condolences.

“It won’t be the same,” tweeted Thaao Penghlis, an actor who has played the characters Andre and Tony DiMera on “Days.”

“So long Joe. I’ll miss you, yet a part of you will always be with me and for that beautiful gift I am so happy and grateful” posted James Scott, who played Stefano’s son EJ DiMera on the soap.

Eileen Davidson, who portrayed Kristen DiMera, tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Joe Mascolo. God bless him and keep him.”

“Just like sand through the hour glass so are the days of our lives. #JosephMascolo RIP,” posted a fan.

Born and raised in West Hartford, Connecticut, Mascolo didn’t initially have acting in mind. In college he studied classical music and had dreams of becoming a conductor, according to his official website. A drama coach overhead his booming basso voice and encouraged him to explore acting.

His acting career began when he joined an off-Broadway production of “The Threepenny Opera.”

Mascolo appeared in a wide-range of television shows, including “All in the Family” and “The Gangster Chronicles,” before moving to daytime drama.

“Days” wasn’t Mascolo’s only soap. He had a brief role on “General Hospital” in 1989 and a recurring role in “The Bold and the Beautiful” from 2001 to 2006.

Mascolo is survived by his wife, his son, stepdaughter, five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

 

Actor

Days of Our Lives (1965)

Days of Our Lives

5.2

TV Series

Stefano DiMera

Dr. Tufano

1968–2017

1847 episodes

Heather Tom, Thorsten Kaye, and Katherine Kelly Lang in The Bold and the Beautiful (1987)

The Bold and the Beautiful

3.4

TV Series

Massimo Marone IV

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476 episodes

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6.6

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5.8

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Albert G. Tendelli

1989

 

Edward Woodward in The Equalizer (1985)

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7.8

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Tony Costa

1988

1 episode

 

Rags to Riches (1987)

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Viktor Leskov

1987

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It's Garry Shandling's Show. (1986)

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7.0

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Charlie

1986

1 episode

 

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8.2

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1986

1 episode

 

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6.9

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Ed Martinson

1986

1 episode

 

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1985

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1 episode

 

Comedy Factory (1985)

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5.1

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Peter Wagner

1985

1 episode

 

Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter (1984)

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6.8

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1984

 

Hart to Hart (1979)

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1984

1 episode

 

Yes, Giorgio (1982)

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3.8

Dominic Giordano

1982

 

Shannon (1981)

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5.7

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1982

1 episode

 

The Gangster Chronicles (1981)

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8.1

TV Mini Series

Salvatore Maranzano

1981

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6.3

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1981

 

Gangster Wars (1981)

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6.5

Salvatore Maranzano

1981

 

Lou Ferrigno and Bill Bixby in The Incredible Hulk (1977)

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7.0

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Mr. Arnold

1979

1 episode

 

Edward Asner in Lou Grant (1977)

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7.3

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McIntyre

1978

1 episode

 

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7.0

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Dr. Weller

1978

1 episode

 

Christine Freeman in Jaws 2 (1978)

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5.8

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1978

 

The Rockford Files (1974)

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8.2

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Gibby

1977

1 episode

 

Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? (1977)

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6.3

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Max Pierce

1977

 

Switch (1975)

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7.2

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Phillip Aspen

Martin Lorrimer

1977

1 episode

 

ABC Afterschool Specials (1972)

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7.1

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Mr. Singleton

1976

1 episode

 

Monster Squad (1976)

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7.3

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Lawrence of Moravia

1976

1 episode

 

Kojak (1973)

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1976

1 episode

 

Jack Palance in Bronk (1975)

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6.8

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NBC Special Treat (1975)

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7.6

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Papa

1976

1 episode

 

Robert Blake in Baretta (1975)

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6.7

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Frank Cassell

1975

1 episode

 

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6.2

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Dominic Bente

1974

 

Rob Reiner, Sally Struthers, Carroll O'Connor, and Jean Stapleton in All in the Family (1971)

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8.4

TV Series

Mr. Bushmill

1974

1 episode

 

The Spook Who Sat by the Door (1973)

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7.1

Senator Hennington

1973

 

Happy Mother's Day, Love George (1973)

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5.7

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1973

 

Where the Heart Is (1969)

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8.3

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Ed Lucas

1971–1973

3 episodes

 

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9.0

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1973

 

Shaft's Big Score! (1972)

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6.0

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James Pritchett in The Doctors (1963)

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7.2

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Policeman

1963–1969

3 episodes

 

Bob Denver and Herb Edelman in The Good Guys (1968)

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7.0

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1969

1 episode

 

Hot Spur (1968)

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1967

1 episode

 

Car 54, Where Are You? (1961)

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7.7

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Pete DeAngelo

1963

1 episode

 

From These Roots (1958)

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7.2

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Jack Lander (1961)

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