“Days of Our Lives” Star’s Dark Origin Story Revealed

For 40 years, the character Steve “Patch” Johnson has captivated audiences on Days of Our Lives. The actor, Stephen Nichols, reflects on his character’s evolution from a dangerous villain to a devoted family man, and the surprising origins that almost ended his run on the show.

The Sinister Backstory

The true details behind Steve‘s past were initially far more troubling than what viewers saw. Nichols disclosed how he discovered the details of his character’s backstory. Bo, another character, was the cause of Steve losing his eye.

The original plan was for Steve to perish. He was written as a drug dealer in the Merchant Marine. A friend was to die from drugs, leading to the fight with Bo. “I lost my eye,” Nichols stated.

A Role’s Unexpected Future

Initially, Steve was only meant to be a recurring character. His run was expected to last just two or three months. However, that changed during a storyline involving Victor Kiriakis. Nichols believes being part of that storyline gave him a chance to stay on the show.

Nichols recalls a crucial moment on set where things changed. Shelley Curtis, a producer/director, told him he would not die. The actor was offered a contract, cementing his future on the show.

The decision proved fortunate, as the daytime drama industry continues to thrive. In 2023, daytime television generated over $1.5 billion in revenue in the United States (Statista).

A Near Miss

This future almost didn’t happen. Nichols had accepted a role in the 1986 horror film, Witchboard. Co-executive producer Al Rabin was not pleased. When Nichols told him he would be doing the movie, the producer was set to offer a contract.

Forty years after the character’s debut, Steve remains a fixture in Salem.