Stephen Nichols
Encyclopedia
Stephen Nichols is an American
actor
, most notable for his roles on American daytime soap operas. He played the part of Steve (Patch) Johnson on NBCs Days of our Lives
from 1985-1990; after that, he had a stint on ABC
's General Hospital
as Stefan Cassadine from 1996-2003. He returned to the role of Steve (Patch) Johnson on Days of our Lives
in June 2006 after 16 years, remaining through February 2009. He is now playing the role of Tucker McCall on The Young and the Restless
.
, he traveled west, studied yoga
and lived as a monk while preparing vegetarian meals for the monks and nuns in a Hollywood ashram
. After three years of celibacy
, a steady diet of ice cream
and the films of Truffaut
and 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.
For his stage work, Nichols has been honored with three Drama-Logue Awards and two LA Weekly Theater Award
s for his performances in such notable productions as Pieces of Time (for his portrayal of real-life killer, Donald Bashor), for Delirious (directed by the late Ron Link), and as Jim Morrison
in the last thirty-six hours of his life in The Lizard King. Nichols also appeared at LATC in Rick Clutchey's The Cage, 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. 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, for which Nichols received a Maddy Award.
Nichols returned to the role of Steve (Patch) Johnson on Days of our Lives. His original portrayal (1985–1990) earned him an Emmy
nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role and five Soap Opera Digest
Best Actor Awards. Steve and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans
) remain one of the most popular couples, and the most-covered, on Days of our Lives ever.
Stephen also portrayed Stefan Cassadine on the soap General Hospital (1996–2002, 2003). This role reunited him with Evans, while his character was later paired with Laura Spencer
, played by Genie Francis
.
Other TV appearances have included Matlock
, L.A. Law
, Diagnosis: Murder
, The Nanny
(with former Days of our Lives co-star Charles Shaughnessy
), Second Chances, Sisters
, a recurring role on Empty Nest, and playing Jesse James opposite Pierce Brosnan
in the NBC
mini-series Around the World in 80 Days
, to name a few.
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 short A Hard Rain with John Mahoney
, 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
. Get the Dime was a director's pick at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Upcoming, Nichols will direct the feature films, Eau de L.A. and Fear of Falling. He is also developing video and mobile phone content.
On December 17, 2009, it was reported on stephennichols.net and cbs.com that Nichols joined the cast of CBS's The Young and the Restless
as Tucker McCall, replacing William Russ
. Nichols’ first air date was January 27, 2010.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...
, most notable for his roles on American daytime soap operas. He played the part of Steve (Patch) Johnson on NBCs Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
from 1985-1990; after that, he had a stint on ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
's General Hospital
General Hospital
General Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
as Stefan Cassadine from 1996-2003. He returned to the role of Steve (Patch) Johnson on Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives
Days of our Lives is a long running daytime soap opera broadcast on the NBC television network. It is one of the longest-running scripted television programs in the world, airing nearly every weekday in the United States since November 8, 1965. It has since been syndicated to many countries around...
in June 2006 after 16 years, remaining through February 2009. He is now playing the role of Tucker McCall on The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
.
Career
After turning down an art scholarship to Ohio State UniversityOhio State University
The Ohio State University, commonly referred to as Ohio State, is a public research university located in Columbus, Ohio. It was originally founded in 1870 as a land-grant university and is currently the third largest university campus in the United States...
, he traveled west, studied yoga
Yoga
Yoga is a physical, mental, and spiritual discipline, originating in ancient India. The goal of yoga, or of the person practicing yoga, is the attainment of a state of perfect spiritual insight and tranquility while meditating on Supersoul...
and lived as a monk while preparing vegetarian meals for the monks and nuns in a Hollywood ashram
Ashram
Traditionally, an ashram is a spiritual hermitage. Additionally, today the term ashram often denotes a locus of Indian cultural activity such as yoga, music study or religious instruction, the moral equivalent of a studio or dojo....
. After three years of celibacy
Celibacy
Celibacy is a personal commitment to avoiding sexual relations, in particular a vow from marriage. Typically celibacy involves avoiding all romantic relationships of any kind. An individual may choose celibacy for religious reasons, such as is the case for priests in some religions, for reasons of...
, a steady diet of ice cream
Ice cream
Ice cream is a frozen dessert usually made from dairy products, such as milk and cream, and often combined with fruits or other ingredients and flavours. Most varieties contain sugar, although some are made with other sweeteners...
and the films of Truffaut
François Truffaut
François Roland Truffaut was an influential film critic and filmmaker and one of the founders of the French New Wave. In a film career lasting over a quarter of a century, he remains an icon of the French film industry. He was also a screenwriter, producer, and actor working on over twenty-five...
and Bergman
Ingmar Bergman
Ernst Ingmar Bergman was a Swedish director, writer and producer for film, stage and television. Described by Woody Allen as "probably the greatest film artist, all things considered, since the invention of the motion picture camera", he is recognized as one of the most accomplished and...
, he landed at the Theater Academy of Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College
Los Angeles City College, known as LACC, is a public community college in the East Hollywood section of Los Angeles, California. A part of the Los Angeles Community College District, it is located on Vermont Avenue south of Santa Monica Boulevard...
where he studied for two years. Nichols went on to study with Stella Adler
Stella Adler
Stella Adler was an American actress and an acclaimed acting teacher, who founded the Stella Adler Studio of Acting in New York City and the The Stella Adler Academy of Acting in Los Angeles with long-time protege Joanne Linville, who continues to teach and furthers Adler's legacy...
, Jack Colvin
Jack Colvin
Jack Colvin was an American character actor of theater, film and TV, known for the role of the tabloid reporter Jack McGee on the TV series The Incredible Hulk from 1977 through 1982 , and as Dr...
and Harry Mastrorgeorge.
For his stage work, Nichols has been honored with three Drama-Logue Awards and two LA Weekly Theater Award
LA Weekly Theater Award
LA Weekly Theater Award is an annual critics' award established in 1979, given by the LA Weekly for outstanding achievements in small theatre productions in Southern California...
s for his performances in such notable productions as Pieces of Time (for his portrayal of real-life killer, Donald Bashor), for Delirious (directed by the late Ron Link), and as Jim Morrison
Jim Morrison
James Douglas "Jim" Morrison was an American musician, singer, and poet, best known as the lead singer and lyricist of the rock band The Doors...
in the last thirty-six hours of his life in The Lizard King. Nichols also appeared at LATC in Rick Clutchey's The Cage, in the award winning production of Michael Cristofer
Michael Cristofer
Michael Ivan Cristofer is an American playwright, filmmaker and actor. He received the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the Tony Award for Best Play for The Shadow Box in 1977....
's The Shadow Box at Theater East and Love Letters, during its initial run at the Canon Theater. 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, for which Nichols received a Maddy Award.
Nichols returned to the role of Steve (Patch) Johnson on Days of our Lives. His original portrayal (1985–1990) earned him an Emmy
Daytime Emmy Award
The Daytime Emmy Awards are awards presented by the New York-based National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences and the Los Angeles-based Academy of Television Arts & Sciences in recognition of excellence in American daytime television programming...
nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role and five Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest
Soap Opera Digest is a weekly magazine covering American daytime soap operas. It features onscreen and offscreen news about the series, interviews with and articles about performers, storyline summaries and analysis, and related promotional information...
Best Actor Awards. Steve and Kayla (Mary Beth Evans
Mary Beth Evans
Mary Beth Evans is an American actress. She was born in Pasadena, California.-Career:Evans is most famous for her role as Kayla Brady Johnson in the soap opera Days of our Lives from 1986 to 1992, 2006 to 2009, and 2010 to present. Her character became half of the supercouple Steve and Kayla...
) remain one of the most popular couples, and the most-covered, on Days of our Lives ever.
Stephen also portrayed Stefan Cassadine on the soap General Hospital (1996–2002, 2003). This role reunited him with Evans, while his character was later paired with Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer
Laura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
, played by Genie Francis
Genie Francis
Eugenie "Genie" Francis Frakes is an American actress known for her portrayal of Laura Spencer on the ABC daytime drama General Hospital. She is currently playing Genevieve Atkinson on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless...
.
Other TV appearances have included Matlock
Matlock (TV series)
Matlock is an American television legal drama, starring Andy Griffith in the title role of attorney Ben Matlock. The show originally aired from September 23, 1986 to May 8, 1992 on NBC, where it replaced The A-Team, then from November 5, 1992 until May 7, 1995 on ABC.The show's format was similar...
, L.A. Law
L.A. Law
L.A. Law is a US television legal drama that ran on NBC from September 15, 1986 to May 19, 1994. L.A. Law reflected the social and cultural ideologies of the 1980s and early 1990s and many of the cases featured on the show dealt with hot topic issues such as abortion, racism, gay rights,...
, Diagnosis: Murder
Diagnosis: Murder
Diagnosis: Murder is a mystery/medical/crime drama television series starring Dick Van Dyke as Dr. Mark Sloan, a medical doctor who solves crimes with the help of his son, a homicide detective played by his real-life son Barry Van Dyke. The series began as a spin-off of Jake and the Fatman...
, The Nanny
The Nanny
Nanny may refer to:* Nanny, a child's caregiver* A grandmother * A Cajun word for godmother * A female goat* Nanny , a 1981–83 British drama series starring Wendy Craig* Nanny of the Maroons...
(with former Days of our Lives co-star Charles Shaughnessy
Charles Shaughnessy
Charles George Patrick Shaughnessy, 5th Baron Shaughnessy , simply known as Charles Shaughnessy, is a British peer, and television, theatre and film actor. He is known for his roles on American television, as Shane Donovan on the soap opera Days of our Lives and as Maxwell Sheffield on the sitcom...
), Second Chances, Sisters
Sisters (TV series)
Sisters is a television drama which aired on NBC for six seasons, from 1991 to 1996. The series was created by Ron Cowen and Daniel Lipman, who also created the Showtime series Queer as Folk and wrote the acclaimed Emmy and Peabody Award winning drama An Early Frost, also for NBC...
, a recurring role on Empty Nest, and playing Jesse James opposite Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brosnan
Pierce Brendan Brosnan, OBE is an Irish actor, film producer and environmentalist. After leaving school at 16, Brosnan began training in commercial illustration, but trained at the Drama Centre in London for three years...
in the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
mini-series Around the World in 80 Days
Around the World in 80 Days (TV miniseries)
Around the World in 80 Days is a 1989 three-part television Eastmancolor miniseries originally broadcast on NBC. The production garnered three nominations for Emmy awards that year...
, to name a few.
Nichols has appeared in several feature films, first co-starring with Demi Moore
Demi Moore
Demi Guynes Kutcher , known professionally as Demi Moore, is an American actress. After minor roles in film and a role in the soap opera General Hospital, Moore established her career in films such as St...
in Choices. He was also in Witchboard
Witchboard
Witchboard is a 1986 American horror film written and directed by Kevin S. Tenney, and starring Tawny Kitaen and Stephen Nichols. The film focuses on a female college student who is harassed and later possessed by an evil spirit after communicating with it through a friend's Ouija board...
; Soapdish
Soapdish
Soapdish is a 1991 comedy film which tells a backstage story of the cast and crew of a popular fictional television soap opera. It stars Sally Field as an aging soap star, joined by Kevin Kline, Robert Downey, Jr., Elisabeth Shue, Whoopi Goldberg, Teri Hatcher, Cathy Moriarty, Garry Marshall, Kathy...
with Kevin Kline
Kevin Kline
Kevin Delaney Kline is an American theatre, voice, film actor and comedian. He has won an Academy Award and two Tony Awards, and has been nominated for five Golden Globe Awards, two BAFTA Awards and an Emmy Award.- Early life :...
, Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg
Whoopi Goldberg is an American comedian, actress, singer-songwriter, political activist, author and talk show host.Goldberg made her film debut in The Color Purple playing Celie, a mistreated black woman in the Deep South. She received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and won...
and Robert Downey, Jr.; Heaven’s Tears; Cover Me with Paul Sorvino
Paul Sorvino
Paul Anthony Sorvino is an American actor. He often portrays authority figures on both sides of the law, and is possibly best known for his roles as Paulie Cicero, a portrayal of Paul Vario in the film Goodfellas and Sgt. Phil Cerreta on the police procedural and legal drama television series Law...
; Phoenix with Brad Dourif
Brad Dourif
Bradford Claude "Brad" Dourif is an American film and television actor who gained early fame for his portrayal of Billy Bibbit in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest, and has since appeared in a number of memorable roles, including the voice of Chucky in the Child's Play franchise, Younger Brother in...
and William Sanderson
William Sanderson
William Sanderson is an American character actor.-Early life:Sanderson was born in Memphis, Tennessee, to an elementary school teacher mother and a landscape designer father...
; and the Showtime short A Hard Rain with John Mahoney
John Mahoney
John Mahoney is a British born American actor, known for playing Martin "Marty" Crane, the retired police officer, father of Kelsey Grammer's Dr...
, 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
Robert Picardo
Robert Picardo is an American actor. He is best known for his portrayals of Dr. Dick Richards on ABC's China Beach, the Emergency Medical Hologram , also known as The Doctor, on UPN's Star Trek: Voyager, The Cowboy in Innerspace, Coach Cutlip on The Wonder Years , Ben Wheeler in Wagons East, and as...
. Get the Dime was a director's pick at the Palm Springs International Festival of Short Films. Upcoming, Nichols will direct the feature films, Eau de L.A. and Fear of Falling. He is also developing video and mobile phone content.
On December 17, 2009, it was reported on stephennichols.net and cbs.com that Nichols joined the cast of CBS's The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless
The Young and the Restless is an American television soap opera created by William J. Bell and Lee Phillip Bell for CBS. The show is set in a fictional Wisconsin town called Genoa City, which is unlike and unrelated to the real life village of the same name, Genoa City, Wisconsin...
as Tucker McCall, replacing William Russ
William Russ
William Russ is an American actor, best known for his role as Alan Matthews on Boy Meets World.-Early life:Russ was born in Portsmouth, Virginia, and is the son of a naval officer...
. Nichols’ first air date was January 27, 2010.