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Marlena Evans: 40+ Years on Soap, A Family Affair
6 Dec, 2025
Summary
- Actress reflects on decades playing Marlena Evans, calling the show a family.
- Recalls a humorous first day mixing up her character's identity.
- Proudest moment was a dramatic scene where Marlena reappeared from fog.
Deidre Hall, who has portrayed Marlena Evans for over 40 years, recently spoke about her enduring role and the soap opera's 60th anniversary. Hall views the show as a "family" and a "lifestyle," highlighting that she raised her children while working on set. She fondly remembers her long tenure, which has spanned several distinct periods since she first joined in 1976.
Reflecting on her early days, Hall shared a funny anecdote about her very first day on set, where she accidentally introduced herself as the wrong character. Despite this initial mishap, she has become an iconic figure, with her most cherished on-screen moment being a dramatic scene where her character reappeared unexpectedly.
Hall also touched upon the show's longevity, attributing it to strong leadership and its nature as a family-produced program. She expressed that while she misses co-star Drake Hogestyn, she defers to the writers regarding Marlena's future romantic interests, emphasizing the importance of respecting the audience's journey with long-standing characters.
