Kristian Alfonso has played Hope Williams Brady since 1983!
DAYS INTO NIGHT: Before we get to the lovely Kristian Alfonso, I wanted to remind you about the Days Into Night Charity Event going on in Greenville, SC on July 23-24th. The Days Into Night Charity Event benefits a local non-profit organization Taylors Youth Association which teaches children sportsmanship, team work and physical fitness through organized sports. Scheduled to appear are Nadia Bjorlin, Eric Martsolf, Galen Gering, Shawn Christian, James Scott and Mark Hapka. For more details visit www.daysintonight.com
MY CHAT WITH KRISTIAN: For long-time fans of NBC’s Days of Our Lives, the character of Hope Williams Brady is one that they’ve seen grow up before their eyes. Kristian Alfonso has played Hope since 1983 and, while she’s moonlighted on prime time series like Falcon Crest, the 45-year old daytime serial has always been home.
Days is currently dealing with the death of matriarch Alice Horton (played from day one by Frances Reid, who passed away earlier this year) so I asked Alfonso about favorite memories of working with her as well as reflecting on the long run of the show and her character.
Jim Halterman: You’ve been playing Hope for a long time. Do you feel like you know her as well as possible or are you still finding surprises?
Kristian Alfonso: There are still surprises, absolutely. I’ve always described Hope as a diamond in the rough just waiting for another facet to be discovered. The more cuts in a diamond, the more brilliant. She has had just so many different storylines and I would like to believe that there is always something right around the corner that has not been discovered. I have to say that this character has really held my interest all these years. Definitely not dull!
Alfonso with long-time co-star Peter Reckell way back when!
JH: One thing you would change about her if you could?
KA: I don’t know if I would change anything about her. I think she’s such a fun character and she’s so well-rounded. She is strong and can hold her now and she will fight you tooth and nail if she thinks she’s right and her family is everything.
JH: Did you ever expect your run on the show to go this long?
KA: Oh my God! I’m so blessed! I love my job! I love my character. The character is so interesting so it keeps it so fun and unpredictable for myself. And the people I work with…it goes without saying. This is my third time back and it’s the longest I’ve been on the show and to walk in and see your family everyday…you leave one household to go to another!
Today, Reckell and Alfonso are all smiles even though their characters are not.
JH: The soap fans are so crazy/passionate but does that still surprise you how rabid the fans are?
KA: Always! Absolutely! We have amazing, amazing, loyal fans and they will ride the storyline out with you whether they like it or don’t like it. I have a jewelry line called Hope Faith Miracles. What I do with my jewelry line is I’m out there with the customer doing various shows around the country and it gives me the opportunity what the fans are enjoying, what they’re excited about. I love that. I love the feedback from the fans.
JH: The daytime has taken some hits the last few years. What do you think the future holds.
KA: You know, I like to look at life with the glass half-full. I live in the real world. I love my job and I hope that this show and daytime will be around a very long time. Not just for myself but for the viewers because they enjoy it and look forward to it. People think the majority of viewership is women but I have found that it’s 50/50. I will have a woman at the grocery saying ‘my boyfriend and my husband love you! Can I get an autograph for them?!” I was walking in Beverly Hills and I was outside a medical office at a little café and I was going by and this gentleman said “Do you play Hope on Days Of Our Lives?” He was obviously a doctor and he said, “My wife loves the show and watches it all the time.” I said, “Oh, really?” He then said, “I don’t watch it. I don’t have time.” I try to relieve their guilt ‘I want you to know that the viewership is 50/50. It’s okay!” I enjoy that they enjoy it.
JH: Can we talk about Frances Reid? Do you have a memory of working with her?
KA: Do you have a few days? I loved Frances! Funny, witty, so smart, so well-read, so worldly and such a spitfire! I just loved working with her. I’d walk on set and get ready. She’d be there before me and I’d run out and she’d say ‘Now, dear, are you going to wear your hair like that?’ And I’d say ‘yeah, I am’ and then I’d joke back ‘Are you going to wear your hair like that?’ You know, like on camera, we really had a granddaughter/grandmother relationship. It was warm and loving and to be able to work with Frances Reid and have a loving relationship…to come on Days of Our Lives first of all, I was blown away. I remember walking on the set the first day, not knowing what I was doing and I remember Frances arguing with the director. “I’m sorry, this line needs to be changed. Alice would never serve frozen peas and carrots! They have to be fresh!” [laughs] I learned so much from her and looking into her eyes and you know they say the eyes are the windows of the soul and her eyes always told a story. There was no words necessary. I will really miss her. I already do. The last time I had seen her, I went to visit her and I brought my son with me and spending time with Frances and laughing…she had traveled to Africa so many times and around the world. I brought her tons of junk food because we both loved that.
JH: Your fans are still so supportive of you. I hear from them a lot on Twitter. Do you tweet?
KA: I don’t know how to Tweet! I’m a little computer challenged. I can email, though! But please send hugs and kisses to the fans!
Days Of Our Lives airs Monday through Friday on NBC and reruns on SoapNet. Check local listings for times.
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Jim Halterman is a freelance writer who spends his days interviewing the top tier of talent and creative forces in the entertainment world and then, because he's that kind of guy, he brings it all to YOU! And, because we all like free stuff, check back on Fridays for the best giveaways!! (Photo: Interviewing actor Ray Ford - from DONT TRUST THE B**** IN APARTMENT 23 - at The Abbey, West Hollywood, 4/2012)
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Since I live only 45 minutes from Cleveland, Ohio…..I love the fact that the show will be based there. I watched the pilot and loved it. Would like to see John Schneider return. I loved the Drew Carey show and Drew of course so Valerie, Betty, Jane & Wendy…..CLEVELAND ROCKS!