Stuart Michael Zonis
Salem Presence
Governor Ford (March 2010 to Present)
At a Glance
In February, 1997, Mr. Damon received the Outstanding Supporting Actor trophy at the nationally televised Soap Opera Awards ceremony for his portrayal and was nominated for his fifth Emmy Award as Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Dramatic Series. Dr. Quartermaine's drug addiction keeps the actor as busy as ever, as he struggles to portray the fallen doctor with truth and accuracy. Stuart's portrayal of the drug-addicted chief of staff has garnered high praise from the press and from his fans and recently garnered him his first Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor, in May, 1999.
The actor's parents were struggling Russian immigrants who came to America during the Bolshevik Revolution and settled in Brooklyn, New York, where Damon was born. As a child, Stuart loved making his family and others laugh. At age 11, he played the cowardly lion in a production of The Wizard of Oz, and later starred and sang in musical comedies at a summer camp near Danbury, Connecticut.
Stuart attended a private high school, continuing his studies at Brandeis University, where he obtained a B.A. degree in psychology. He was on his way to becoming an attorney, but got sidetracked when his involvement in acting turned into a professional pursuit. He began playing lead roles in summer stock with such stars as Jane Powell and George Gobel. In the next few years, he gained experience in more than 50 musical comedies, washing a few dishes along the way to help with finances.
He landed his first Broadway role in the chorus line of Irma La Douce, where his dance partner was Elliott Gould. He also understudied the principals, and after two weeks took over one of the leads. That break led to other Broadway shows.
In 1964, Stuart was named Most Promising Performer of the Year by Theater World for his performance in The Boys From Syracuse. The following year, he was brought to Hollywood to star with Lesley Ann Warren in the now-classic TV musical production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Cinderella. The program attracted worldwide attention. A lucrative offer to star on an English television series, The Champions, sent Stuart to Great Britain with his British-born wife, actress Deirdre Ottewill-Damon, and their daughter, Jennifer. During the next 12 years, Stuart starred on British television and played many roles on stage in London's West End.
Shortly after returning to the United States in 1977, Stuart was signed as a series regular on General Hospital. His performance in the soap opera led to many things: A starring role in the highly rated TV suspense thriller, Fantasies; a 1981-82 ABC Monday Night Movie; a cameo in the comedy feature film, Young Doctors in Love, an ABC Motion Picture released in 1982; an appearance in Bob Fosse's Star 80; and a highly dramatic guest-star role on an episode of Arthur Hailey's Hotel on ABC.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
Days of our Lives
Governor Ford
March 2010 to Present
As the World Turns
Ralph Manzo
September 18, 2009 to October 30, 2009
Me and My Hormones
1997
Perry Mason: The Case of the Killer Kiss
Alex Straub
1993
Legend of the Champions
Craig Sterling
1983
Fantasies
Hanson
1982
General Hospital
Alan Quartermaine
May 13, 1977 to February 26, 2007; March 2008 to December 23, 2008
Destination Moonbase Alpha
Guido Verdeschi
1976
Yanks Go Home
Coporal Vince Rossi
1976
Nightmare for a Nightingale
1976
The Adventurer
Vince
1972
The Champions
Craig Stirling
1968
Cinderella
Prince
1965
Acting Portfolio
FILM
Chairman of the Board
Doctor
1998
Silent Assassins
General
1988
Star 80
Vince Roberts
1983
A Touch of Class
Man Hailing Cab (at end of movie)
1973
Acting Portfolio
THEATRE
Do I Hear a Waltz?
At the 46th Street Theatre
Irma La Douce
At the Plymouth and Alvin Theatres
From A to Z
At the Plymouth Theatre
First Impressions
At the Alvin Theatre
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actor (1999)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actor (1982, 1983, 1984, 1991, 1996, 1997, 1999)
Soap Opera Award Winner, Outstanding Supporting Actor (1997)
Vital Statistics
PLACE OF BIRTH: New York, New York
DATE OF BIRTH: February 5, 1937
HEIGHT: 6' 2 1/2"
HAIR: Brown
EYES: Brown
MARITAL STATUS: Married, Deirdre Ann Ottewill (March 12th 1961)
CHILDREN: 2 Children: daughter Jennifer, and a son Christopher; One grandson, Alexander Damon
Miscellaneous
Graduated from Brandeis University in 1958
News Archives
News Archive: Damon, Charleson, Zeman all rumored cut by GH. [Aug 30, 2004]
News Archive: After 30 years, GH axes Stuart Damon. [Dec 21, 2006]
News Archive: ATWT's latest casting coup: Stuart Damon. [Jul 1, 2009]
News Archive: Days of our Lives signs Stuart Damon. [Feb 8, 2010]
