Stephen Nichols
Stephen Nichols was born on Feb. 19, 1953 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
After turning down an arts scholarship at Ohio State University. He moved west. He studied yoga and lived as a monk while preparing meals for monks and nuns at a Hollywood ashram. After three years of celibacy, Nichols ended up at the Theater Academy of Los Angeles City College where he studied for two years.
Nichols began his acting career in Los Angeles in the early 1980s. His career has heralded many accolades such as three Drama-logue and two L.A. Weekly awards for his performance in productions like “Pieces Of Time,” “Delirious, “ and playing Jim Morrison in the last thirty-six hours of his life in “The Lizard King.” Recently, Nichols was seen in “The Hunts,” at the Geffen Playhouse and was seen at the U.S. premiere of Joe Pintaro’s “The Dead Boy,” for which Nichols won a Maddy award.
He rose to stardom in the world of soap opera as “Steve ‘Patch’ Johnson,” on “Days of Our Lives.” His was one-half of the show’s supercouple “Patch” and Kayla Brady. She was played by Mary Beth Evans. Nichols stayed in the role from 1985 to 1990. Evans’ tenure on “Days” lasted from 1986 to 1989 and she returned for a short stay from 1989 to 1992. The presumed death of Nichols’ character “Patch” was a serious blow to diehard fans of “Days.” Bu Nichols wouldn’t be away from daytime for long. Competing network ABC snatched up Nichols to play the dark, sexy and mysterious “Stefan Cassadine” on their soap “General Hospital.” His storyline involved interaction with the show’s supercouple institution known as Luke & Laura played by Anthony Geary and Genie Francis. Nichols stint on “GH” lasted from 1996 to 2002 and he returned briefly in 2003. Hoping to capitalize on their popularity as a supercouple on “Days,” the writers repaired Nichols and Evans but the sparks just weren’t there.
Nichols portrayal of Steve “Patch” Johnson earned him an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Leading Role and five Soap Opera Digest Best Actor awards.
Outside the world of soaps, Nichols has appeared on television shows such as “Matlock, he had a guest appearance on “The Nanny,’ with “Days” alum Charles Shaughnessy who played “Shane Donovan” on the show. Nichols also played opposite the future “James Bond,” Pierce Brosnan in the NBC miniseries “Around The World In 80 Days.” Nichols has also lent his talent to a number of feature films. He starred in 1991’s “Soapdish,” a spoof on the soap opera world starring sally Field and Kevin Kline. Nichols also starred in 1981’s “Choices” with Demi Moore.
Most recently, Nichols returned to “Days of our Lives,’ as the presumed dead Steve “Patch” Johnson and along with Evans who has also returned the storyline is heating up much to the delight of “Days” fans.
Nichols and his wife, Lisa have three children, Victoria, Aaron and Dylan and they live in Los Angeles.