Joseph Mascolo

The Phoenix is dead!  

 It is great sadness that actor Joseph Mascolo has passed away after a battle with Alzheimer’s on December 7, 2016!  He will fondly be remembered as Salem’s villain, Stefano DiMera, The Phoenix, who has returned from the dead on numerous occasions.  

As Stefano’s motive for taunting the Brady’s has never been revealed, Stefano’s reign of terror began in the 80’s as he targeted one of the most beloved Salem’s family—the Brady clan, when Roman Brady caused problems for his empire.  He has been accused of brainwashing, kidnapping, drug dealing, blackmailing, art theft, conspiracy, forgery, and murder.

He has tried to kill Roman Brady (Wayne Northup/Josh Taylor), erased John Black’s (Drake Hogestyn) memory, kidanpped Marlena Evans Brady (Diedre Hall) several times as well as leading her on hypnotic trips that led to the possession of Satan, held Hope Williams Brady (Kristian Alfonso) at Maison Blanche as well as brainwashed her into believing she was Princess Gina, had a microchip implanted in Vivian Alamain’s (Louise Sorel) tooth to control her moods, and even had his own son, Tony DiMera (Thaao Penghlis) put on a deserted island (Melaswen [New Salem backwards]) when he was disloyal to family.

Stefano DiMera was revealed to be the seventh son, which earned him the nickname The Phoenix, and hence, Stefano’s many rises from the ashes during his stint on Days of Our Lives.  He has survived many “deaths”, many of which was being shot by Marlena, thrown from a penthouse by a demon, struck by lightning, and even being blown up.

Stefano DiMera has seven children:  Tony DiMera (mother, Daphne DiMera), Renee Dumonde DiMera mother, (Lee Dumonde), Megan Hathaway (mother unknown), Alexandra (Lexie) DiMera (mother, Celeste Perrault), Benjy Hawk DiMera (mother, Ellen Hawk), Elvis Banks DiMera aka EJ Wells (James Scott) (via artificial insemination, Susan Delilah Banks), as well as raised Peter (Jason Brooks) and Kristen Blake (Eileen Davidson), whose mother went insane, according to Stefano.  Stefano was married to Vivian Alamain and Kate Roberts (Lauren Koslow), but his list of wives and mistresses has yet to be determined.

After retiring from the role of Stefano, Mascolo, due to health reasons, has appeared on guest appearances, the DiMera, Brady and Horton clans, desperately searches for the real reason for Stefano’s hatred.  Will Stefano’s real hatred ever be revealed!  That is one question fans and characters long to know!

As we mourn the loss of actor Joseph Mascolo, perhaps one of the greatest Villians in Salem history, what are some of your memorable moments in the life of Stefano DiMera?

 We will miss you in Salem

As we mourn your loss

Long remembered as a master of villainy

Brainwashing, Kidnapping, Murder, Conspiracy

To be many of your crimes

Salem will never be the same

We wish you a peaceful rest

But will remember you fondly

Rest in peace

Joseph Mascolo (Stefano DiMera)

March 13, 1929 – December 7, 2016

He has also played the character of Massimo Marone on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful.