‘Days of Our Lives’ Actress alison Sweeney Reaches Settlement in Harassment Lawsuit
A lawsuit alleging a hostile work environment and sexual harassment against “Days of Our Lives” producers has been settled, according to court documents filed this week. Actress Alison Sweeney, who played Sami Brady on the long-running soap opera for over two decades, filed the suit against Corday Productions and its owner, Ken Corday, in 2023. The terms of the settlement were not disclosed.
The case brought to light allegations of retaliation after Sweeney voiced concerns about the behavior of a colleague, Alarr, who was later terminated. Sweeney claimed her pay was reduced, her travel stipend revoked, and her character was ultimately written off the show following her complaints. This settlement concludes a high-profile case that sparked a wider conversation about workplace conduct within the entertainment industry and the protections afforded to actors on long-running television programs.
According to the lawsuit, Sweeney’s concerns centered around Alarr’s alleged misconduct. Following her reporting, Sweeney’s compensation was reportedly decreased, and her travel benefits were eliminated. In june 2023,her character,Sami Brady,was removed from the show after more than 20 years. corday Productions subsequently offered to renew her contract, but Sweeney’s representatives alleged the company did not engage in negotiations regarding a pay increase.
Robert Barta, Alarr’s attorney, stated his client agreed to the settlement to resolve the dispute and move forward. Corday Productions had previously maintained Sweeney’s claims were “without merit,” asserting that Alarr’s behavior had been “promptly investigated” prior to his termination and that Sweeney was offered a pay increase upon contract renewal.
Sweeney’s attorney, Anahita Sedaghatfar, had previously stated her client’s decision to come forward was intended to support other employees who may have been “too scared to come forward” with similar allegations.
“Days of Our Lives” premiered on November 8, 1965, and remains one of the longest-running scripted television programs, airing on NBC until 2022 before transitioning to the Peacock streaming platform.
