Editing Stephen Nichols

{{Short description|American actor (born 1951)}}
{{for multi|the Australian rules footballer|Stephen Nichols (footballer)|the American medievalist|Stephen G. Nichols}}
{{Infobox person
| name         = Stephen Nichols
| image        = 
| caption      = 
| birth_name   = Stephen Earl Nichols
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1951|2|19|mf=yes}}
| birth_place  = [[Cincinnati, Ohio]], U.S.
| death_date   = 
| death_place  = 
| other_names  = 
| years_active = 1978–present
| spouse       = {{marriage|Lisa Gordon|1984}}
| children     = 3
}}

'''Stephen Earl Nichols''' (born February 19, 1951) is an American television actor who is recognized for his roles on various daytime soap operas. He has portrayed [[Steve Johnson (Days of Our Lives)|Steve "Patch" Johnson]] on NBC's ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'' on and off since 1985. In 1996, he joined the cast of [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]'s ''[[General Hospital]]'' as [[Stefan Cassadine]]; he exited the role in 2003. From 2009 to 2013, he portrayed the role of [[Tucker McCall]] on ''[[The Young and the Restless]]''. 

Stephen Nichols has three children: Vanessa, Aaron, and Dylan. Nichols married Lisa Gordon in 1984. All three children have had small parts on ''Days of Our Lives''. Nichols’ son, Aaron, played young Steve Johnson. Nichols’ daughter, Dylan, has a burgeoning music career. Nichols has two grandchildren.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols Biography |url=https://soaphub.com/actors/stephen-nichols/ |access-date=19 January 2020 |website=soaphub.com |publisher=Soap Hub}}</ref>

==Career==
After turning down an art scholarship to [[Ohio State University]], he traveled west, studied [[yoga]] and lived as a monk while preparing [[vegetarian]] meals for the monks and nuns in a Hollywood [[ashram]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jewell |first1=Zoey |title=Five Fast Facts About Veteran Soap Star Stephen Nichols |url=https://soaphub.com/days-of-our-lives/five-fast-facts-veteran-soap-star-stephen-nichols/ |website=soaphub.com |date=11 September 2019 |publisher=SoapHub |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

After three years of [[celibacy]], a steady diet of [[ice cream]] and the films of [[François Truffaut|Truffaut]] and [[Ingmar Bergman|Bergman]], he landed at the Theater Academy of [[Los Angeles City College]] where he studied for two years. Nichols went on to study with [[Stella Adler]], [[Jack Colvin]] and Harry Mastrorgeorge.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols Archives |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/stephen-nichols/ |website=soapoperadigest.com |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>
 
For his stage work, Nichols has been honored with three [[Drama-Logue Awards]] and two [[LA Weekly Theater Award]]s<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brounstein |first1=Diane |title=Stephen Nichols Celebrates Amazing Milestone! |url=https://soaphub.com/days-of-our-lives/stephen-nichols-celebrates-amazing-milestone/ |website=soaphub.com |date=19 February 2018 |publisher=Soap Hub |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> for his performances in such notable productions as ''Pieces of Time'' (for his portrayal of real-life killer, Donald Bashor), for ''Delirious'' (directed by Ron Link), and as [[Jim Morrison]] in the last thirty-six hours of his life in ''The Lizard King''.<ref>{{cite web |title=#TBT - STEPHEN NICHOLS |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tbt-stephen-nichols-2/ |website=soapoperadigest.com |publisher=Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> Nichols also appeared at LATC in Rick Clutchey's ''The Cage,''<ref>{{cite web |title=#TBT - STEPHEN NICHOLS |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/tbt-stephen-nichols-2/ |website=soapoperadigest.com |publisher=Odyssey Magazine Publishing Group Inc. |access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref> in the award-winning production of [[Michael Cristofer]]'s ''The Shadow Box'' at Theater East and ''Love Letters'', during its initial run at the Canon Theater.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols biography |url=https://soaphub.com/actors/stephen-nichols/ |website=soaphub.com |access-date=19 January 2020}}</ref>

Most recently, Nichols appeared in ''He Hunts'' at the Geffen Playhouse and was seen in the U.S. première of Joe Pintaro's ''The Dead Boy'',<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols Biography |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629731/bio |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDb, Inc. |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> for which Nichols received a Maddy Award.

===''Days of Our Lives''===
His original portrayal of Steve "Patch" Johnson (1985–90) earned him an [[Daytime Emmy Award|Emmy]] nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role and five ''[[Soap Opera Digest]]'' Best Actor Awards. [[Steve and Kayla Johnson|Steve and Kayla]] ([[Mary Beth Evans]]) remain one of the most popular couples, and the most-covered, on ''Days of our Lives'' ever.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols Archives |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/stephen-nichols/ |website=soapoperadigest.com |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> Nichols talked about one of their favorite storylines and shared, “Mary Beth likes Emily and Gideon. It was a fantasy, it wasn’t really us, but we were reading this beautiful diary, in the old mansion, and then it would flash to the characters.” <ref>{{cite web|url=http://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/49282/interview-mary-beth-evans-stephen-nichols-talk-steve-kaylas-wedding|title=Interview: Mary Beth Evans, Stephen Nichols talk Steve & Kayla's wedding|work=SheKnows Soaps|first=Dustin|last=Cushman|date=February 14, 2017|access-date=September 21, 2017}}</ref>

Nichols returned to the role of [[Steve Johnson (Days of Our Lives)|Steve (Patch) Johnson]] on ''[[Days of Our Lives]]'' in 2006, and played the role until 2009.

On April 17, 2015, it was reported that Nichols would return as reprise the role of Steve "Patch" Johnson of [[NBC]]'s ''Days of Our Lives'' and Nichols second return air date on September 15.<ref>{{cite web|last=Hughes|first=Heather|title='Days Of Our Lives' Spoilers: Stephen Nichols Return Date Confirmed – Patch Will Be Back In Salem On September 14|url=https://www.soapoperaspy.com/2015/days-of-our-lives-spoilers-stephen-nichols-return-date-confirmed-patch-will-be-back-in-salem-on-september-14/|work=Soap Opera Spy|date=April 17, 2015|access-date=June 21, 2020}}</ref> He continues to play the role as of April 2025.

From December 2019-January 2020, Nichols played the role of Stefano DiMera<ref>{{cite web |last1=Barnet |first1=R.J. |title='Days Of Our Lives' Spoilers: Here's The Real Reason Why Stefano DiMera Chose Steve 'Patch' Johnson As His Successor! |url=https://dailysoapdish.com/2019/12/days-of-our-lives-spoilers-heres-the-real-reason-why-stefano-dimera-chose-steve-patch-johnson-as-his-successor/ |website=dailysoapdish.com |date=4 December 2019 |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref> as part of a storyline where Dr. Wilhelm Rolf implanted a chip into Steve Johnson's brain that turned him into "the new Stefano DiMera".<ref>{{cite web |last1=Deese |first1=Hollie |title=Honoring the Nine Lives of Stefano DiMera As Days Brings Stefano Back |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/46395/the-nine-lives-of-stefano-dimera/ |website=soaps.sheknows.com |date=27 November 2019 |publisher=SheKnows Media, LLC, a subsidiary of Penske Business Media, LLC. |access-date=28 December 2020}}</ref>

====Other work====
Nichols also portrayed Stefan Cassadine on the soap ''General Hospital'' (1996–2003).<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629731/#director |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDb.com, Inc. |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> This role reunited him with Evans, while his character was later paired with [[Laura Spencer (General Hospital)|Laura Spencer]], played by [[Genie Francis]].

Other TV appearances have included ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]'', ''[[L.A. Law]]'', ''[[Diagnosis: Murder]]'', ''[[The Nanny]]'' (with former ''Days of our Lives'' co-star [[Charles Shaughnessy]]), ''Second Chances'', [[Sisters (U.S. TV series)|Sisters]], a recurring role on ''[[Empty Nest (TV series)|Empty Nest]]'', and playing [[Jesse James]] opposite [[Pierce Brosnan]] in the [[NBC]] mini-series ''[[Around the World in 80 Days (TV miniseries)|Around the World in 80 Days]]''.<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629731/#actor |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDb, Inc. |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

Nichols has appeared in several feature films, first co-starring with [[Demi Moore]] in ''Choices''. He was also in ''[[Witchboard]]''; ''[[Soapdish]]'' with [[Kevin Kline]], [[Whoopi Goldberg]] and [[Robert Downey, Jr.]]; ''Heaven's Tears; Cover Me'' with [[Paul Sorvino]]; ''Phoenix'' with [[Brad Dourif]] and [[William Sanderson]]; and the [[Showtime (TV network)|Showtime]] short ''A Hard Rain'' with [[John Mahoney]],<ref>{{cite web |title=Stephen Nichols |url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0629731/#actor |website=imdb.com |publisher=IMDb, Inc. |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> which earned best film honors at the British Film Festival for director Dennie Gordon.

Nichols has directed several stage productions, including ''Sixty Minutes from L.A.'', a presentation pilot for television, ''Wild Horses'' (co-director) and most recently, wrote and directed the dramatic short film ''Get the Dime'' starring Daniel Bess and [[Robert Picardo]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Brounstein |first1=Diane |title=Stephen Nichols Celebrates Amazing Milestone! |url=https://soaphub.com/days-of-our-lives/stephen-nichols-celebrates-amazing-milestone/ |website=soaphub.com |date=19 February 2018 |publisher=Soap Hub |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref> ''Get the Dime'' was a director's pick at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Upcoming,{{When|date=January 2020}} Nichols will direct the feature films ''Eau de L.A.'' and ''Fear of Falling''.

On December 17, 2009, it was reported on stephennichols.net and cbs.com that he had joined the cast of CBS's ''[[The Young and the Restless]]'' as [[Tucker McCall]], replacing [[William Russ]]. Nichols's first air date was January 27, 2010. On ''Y&R'', he would later be reunited with ''General Hospital'' counterpart Genie Francis, who played [[List of The Young and the Restless characters (2011)#Genevieve Atkinson|Genevieve Atkinson]] on the show. Nichols's last day on ''Y&R'' was January 29, 2013.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Dan J. |title=Stephen Nichols tapes final Y&R scenes |url=http://amp.soapcentral.com/yr/news/2012/1218-nichols.php |website=soapcentral.com |access-date=18 January 2020}}</ref>

==Filmography==

===Film===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
|-
| 1978
| ''[[A Different Story]]''
| Man at Bath
|-
| 1981
| ''Choices''
| Chris
|-
| 1984
| ''Killing Time''
| Jim
|-
| 1985
| ''House''
| Scott
|-
| 1986
| ''[[Witchboard]]''
| Brandon Sinclair
|-
| 1991
| ''[[Soapdish]]''
| Self
|-
| 1994
| ''A Hard Rain''
| Munson
|-
| 1995
| ''Cover Me''
| Dimitri
|-
| 1995
| ''Phoenix''
| Tyler McClain
|-
| 1995
| ''Heaven's Tears''
| Peter Steiner
|-
| 1995
| ''The Glass Cage''
| Renzi
|-
| 1997
| ''Deep Cover''
| Dutch Leonard
|-
| 1998
| ''[[Merchants of Venus]]''
| The Stud
|-
| 2009
| ''Get The Dime'' (Short Film)
| Director, editor, writer
|-
| 2014
| ''I See'' (Short Film)
| Director, editor
|-
| 2019
| ''A Beauty & The Beast Christmas''
| Howard
|}

=== Television ===
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Year
! Title
! Role
! class="unsortable" | Notes
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Dynasty (1981 TV series)|Dynasty]]''
| Flight Attendant
| Episode: "Oil: Part 1" (uncredited)
|-
| 1983
| ''[[Wizards and Warriors (TV series)|Wizards and Warriors]]''
| Ogden
|
|-
| 1982–1983
| ''[[Dallas (TV series)|Dallas]]''
| Paramedic
| 2 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1985
| ''[[T.J. Hooker]]''
| Tony Perino
| Episode: "Street Bait"
|-
| ''[[Crazy Like a Fox (TV series)|Crazy Like a Fox]]''
| Croiser
| Episode: "The Geronimo Machine"
|-
| 1985–90, 2006–09, 2015–
| rowspan="2"|''[[Days of Our Lives]]''
| [[Steve Johnson (Days of Our Lives)|Steve Johnson]]
| rowspan="2"| Regular role
|-
| 2019–20
| [[Stefano DiMera]]
|-
| 1989
| ''[[Around the World in 80 Days (miniseries)|Around the World in 80 Days]]''
| Jesse James
| Episode 3
|-
| 1990
| ''[[Matlock (1986 TV series)|Matlock]]''
| Cliff Lockwood
| Episode: "The Biker"
|-
| rowspan="2"|1991
| ''[[L.A. Law]]''
| Corrinne's Lawyer
| Episode: "He's a Crowd"
|-
| ''[[Shades of LA]]''
| Walt Canton
| Episode: 'Burial Ground"
|-
|-
| rowspan="4"|1992
| ''[[Murder, She Wrote]]''
| Barry Carroll
| Episode: "Danse Diabolique"
|-
| ''[[FBI: The Untold Stories]]''
| William Timothy Kirk
|-
| ''[[2000 Malibu Road]]''
| Brad Dimitri
| 4 episodes
|-
| ''[[Santa Barbara (TV series)|Santa Barbara]]''
| Dr. Skyler Gates
| Recurring role, 24 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3"|1993
| ''[[Renegade (TV series)|Renegade]]''
| Steve Harris 
| Episode: "Endless Summer"
|-
| ''[[Melrose Place]]''
| Carl Canin
| Episode: "Collision Course"
|-
| ''[[The Nanny]]''
| Brock Storm
| Episode: "Personal Business"
|-
| 1993–1994
| ''[[Second Chances (American TV series)|Second Chances]]''
| Tommy Simmons
| 5 episodes
|-
| rowspan="3"|1994
| ''[[In the Heat of the Night (TV series)|In the Heat of the Night]]''
| Chuck Booker
| Episode: "Conspiracy of One"
|-
| ''[[Sisters (American TV series)|Sisters]]''
| Steve
| Episode: "Heroes"
|-
| ''[[Diagnosis Murder]]''
| Miles Archer
| Episode: "Georgia on My Mind"
|-
| 1995
| ''[[Empty Nest]]''
| Matt Kane
| 3 episodes
|-
| rowspan="2"|1997–2003
| ''[[General Hospital]]''
| rowspan="2"|Stefan Cassidine
| Regular role
|-
| ''[[Port Charles]]''
| 
|-
| 2002
| ''[[She Spies]]''
| Kurt Maxim
|-
| 2009
| ''[[Crash (2008 TV series)|Crash]]''
| Thigpen's Client
| Episode: "You, I'll Be Following"
|-
| 2010–2013
| ''[[The Young and the Restless]]''
| [[Tucker McCall]]
| Contract role
|-
|2022
| ''[[Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem]]''
| [[Steve Johnson (Days of Our Lives)|Steve Johnson]]
| Chapter 2
|-
|2023
| Body and Soul
| Tucker McCall as Thrust Manning
| a soap within a soap on ''[[Days of Our Lives]]''
|}

==See also==
*[[Supercouple]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://stephennichols.com/ The official website for Stephen Nichols' fans]
* {{Instagram|stephen_e_nichols}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0629731|name=Stephen Nichols}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nichols, Stephen}}
[[Category:1951 births]]
[[Category:American male film actors]]
[[Category:American male soap opera actors]]
[[Category:American male television actors]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Male actors from Cincinnati]]
[[Category:20th-century American male actors]]
[[Category:21st-century American male actors]]