Deidre Hall
Salem Presence
Marlena Evans (1976-1987, 1991-Present)
At a Glance
Hall created the role of Dr. Marlena Evans in 1976, a character whose popularity has created a furor and a fan following seldom seen in television.
The favorable regard in which Hall is held has spanned all demographics and regions. She was named Best Television Role Model; won the prestigious American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT) award in 1994; garnered five Best Actress awards from Soap Opera Digest (1982-85,1995) along with a Best Actress nomination (1999). She broke new ground for daytime stars when she guest-starred on shows such as "The Tonight Show," "Night of A Hundred Stars," a "Bob Hope Special" and "20/20" surrounding the event of the birth of her eldest son with a surrogate.
In 1986, Hall became the first performer ever to star in both daytime and primetime series when she was cast as "Jesse Witherspoon" in NBC's "Our House." She left daytime the following year to concentrate on this show and a growing career in television movies.
Hall's credits include "And the Sea Will Tell," "For the Very First Time," "Take My Daughters, Please," a "Perry Mason" movie of the week, one of the popular "Columbo" movies of the week and in 1993, another ratings winner, "Woman On The Ledge." The same year Hall created "Never Say Never - The Deidre Hall Story," in which she not only starred but executive produced as well. The television movie was based on her real life struggle to create a family and her final choice of a surrogate as their solution.
Hall's episodic television credits include a multi-episode arc in Stephen Cannell's hit series "Wiseguy" and "The Cast of the All-Star Assassin."
Hall was nominated for two Peoples Choice Awards for the role of Jesse in "Our House" and was nominated two consecutive years as Best Actress by Viewers for Quality Television. Co-starring with Wilford Brimley, Deidre and her television family won the first Viewers for Quality Television "Seal of Approval" for a television show.
Hall has graced the covers of national and regional magazines such as People, Woman, Woman's Own, TV Guide, Woman's World, McCall's, Family Circle, Shape, Los Angeles Magazine, Beverly Hills (213), Orange Coast and First For Women.
Deidre was born an identical twin, and her sister Andrea Hall-Gengler spent a short stint in Salem as "Marlena's" twin, "Samantha." She is the devoted mother of David Atticus Sohmer and Tully Chapin Sohmer, both miracle babies via surrogate birth. Hall resides in Los Angeles. Her birthday is October 31.
Acting Portfolio
TELEVISION
Intimate Portrait: Loni Anderson
1999
OP Center... aka Tom Clancy's 'OP Center'
Kate Michaels
1995
Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story
Herself
1995
Woman on the Ledge
Quinn
1993
For the Very First Time... aka Til I Kissed Ya (UK)
Mrs. O'Neil
1991
And the Sea Will Tell
Muff Graham
1991
Columbo: Columbo Cries Wolf
Diane Hunter
1990
Circus of the Stars #14
1989
Perry Mason: The Case of the All-Star Assassin
Linda Horton
1989
Take My Daughters, Please
Nell
1988
Walt Disney World 4th of July Spectacular
Herself
1988
Harry Anderson's Sideshow
Herself
1987
Our House
Jessica "Jessie" Witherspoon
1986
Circus of the Stars #10
Performer
1985
A Reason to Live
Delores Stewart
1985
The Million Dollar Face
Barbara Sanderson
1981
Pray TV
Sarah of Nazareth
1980
Electra Woman and Dyna Girl
Lori/Electra Woman
1976
The Krofft Supershow
Laurie/Electra Woman
1976-1977
Days of our Lives
Marlena Evans
1976-1987, 1991- Present
Columbo: Mind Over Mayhem
Receptionist
1974
The Young and the Restless
Barbara Anderson
1973-1975
Adventures of Nick Carter
Ivy Duncan
1972
Emergency!
Nurse Sally Lewis
1972
Acting Portfolio
FILM
Special Delivery
Gloria
1976
Awards & Acclaim
Daytime Emmys Pre-Nomination, Outstanding Lead Actress (2005, 2008)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Actress (1984, 1985)
Daytime Emmys Nomination, Outstanding Supporting Actress (1980)
Soap Opera Digest Awards Winner, Best Actress (1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1995)
Peoples Choice Awards Nominee, (1986, 1987; for 'Our House')
Viewers for Quality Television Nominee, (1986, 1987; for 'Our House'
Vital Statistics
BIRTHPLACE: Milwaukee, Wisconsin
BIRTHDATE: October 31st, 1947
HEIGHT: 5' 7"
MARITAL STATUS: Divorced; Steve Sohmer (Dec 31st, 1991 to 2005)
CHILDREN: Sons, David (b.8/23/1992) and Tully (b.1/19/1995) by surrogate mother, Robin B.
Miscellaneous
Has an identical twin sister, Andrea, who has played her twin (Samantha) and look-alike (Hattie) on Days of our Lives.
Sometimes credited as Deidre Hudson.
News Archive
News Archive: DAYS serial killer revealed -- it's Marlena! [Dec 28th, 2004]
News Archive: DAYS star Hall, husband announce divorce plans. [Mar 21st, 2005]
