Stephen Schnetzer Returns to DAYS OF OUR LIVES!

During a live chat with host Alan Locher during an episode of The Locher Room looking back on his career in daytime and beyond, Stephen Schnetzer revealed that he would be returning to DAYS OF OUR LIVES in the role of Steve Olson! Although best known to soap fans for his role of Cass Winthrop on ANOTHER WORLD, Schnetzer actually made his daytime debut in Salem.

“Breaking news!” he teased. “As far as I know, next week I’m flying out to LA… I hope I’m not giving anything up but they’ve asked Steve Olson to come back for a couple of episodes. I’ll say no more than that.”

Steve Olson is Addie Horton and Ben Olson’s son, making him Julie’s brother. The character was played by Flip Mark as a child from 1965-66 and James Carroll Jordan in 1972 when Steve returned home to Salem. Schnetzer took over the role in 1978 and played it until 1980.

“The great Wes Kenney, who was the executive producer on DAYS hired me in… 77-ish and had me come on as Julie’s brother,” Schnetzer recalled. Coming from the theater, the actor had no real experience working before a television camera and was grateful to Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie) and her husband, the late Bill Hayes (Doug) for helping him adjust. “Bill and Susan were extremely kind,” he said. “Bill had a great run. I love that he and Susan have been on the show all this time.”

While Locher wouldn’t allow Schnetzer to say anything more about his return to DAYS for fear of the actor getting himself into trouble, it seems likely that Steve will be coming home to Salem to be there for his sister Julie as she mourns Doug’s passing when the soap writes in Hayes’ death. Of course, given how far ahead DAYS tapes its episodes, if Schnetzer is shooting scenes at the beginning of April, don’t expect to see him on screen until October.