Kristian Alfonso, best remembered for her long-running role on the beloved soap opera Days Of Our Lives, turned heads this week with a striking photo posted on her Instagram page.
The Emmy-nominated actress began playing Hope Williams on the NBC daytime drama in the early 1980s, a part that helped make her a familiar face to generations of viewers.
Before becoming a soap opera favorite, Alfonso launched her career as a teenage model, landing on the covers of major fashion magazines including Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar.
Over the years, she also expanded her television résumé with guest appearances on popular series such as Melrose Place and Full House.
Her work has earned recognition as well, including a Soap Opera Digest Award for Exciting Female Newcomer in 1984.
Take a look at the star today at 62.
Kristian Alfonso, 62, famed for her decades on the hit soap Days Of Our Lives, impressed fans this week with a new Instagram photo; pictured in Los Angeles in 1985.
The Emmy-nominated performer first stepped into the role of Hope Williams on the NBC series in the early 1980s.
Alfonso stunned as she posted a radiant selfie to her main Instagram account on Monday.
The actress struck a quick pose while sitting at an outdoor table at a bustling restaurant.
She donned a white dress with floral embroidery and added a fashionable hat on top of her locks which were styled into a chic updo.
Alfonso completed the look with a dainty necklace as well as gold bracelets and mini earrings.
In the caption of the post, the star typed out: ‘Looking toward a #great #week ahead. #monday and …….,’ followed by a blue heart and dancing emoji.
She also tagged the Italian-based brand Borsalino, possibly hinting that she was on a lavish getaway in the country.
Alfonso was born in Massachusetts in September 1963 and took part in ice skating while growing up. At the age of 13, she won a gold medal in the Junior Olympic Figure Skating Championships
However, an injury prompted her to quit the sport as well as dancing.
Alfonso stunned as she posted a radiant selfie to her main Instagram account on Monday
At the age of 13, she won a gold medal in the Junior Olympic Figure Skating Championships However, an injury prompted her to quit the sport as well as dancing; seen in 1985
Before she was 16, Alfonso had already made appearances on covers of numerous magazines including Vogue; seen in 2004
She would then begin pursuing another passion for modeling and notably signed with Wilhelmina Models when she was also a teenager.
Before she was 16, Alfonso had already made appearances on covers of numerous magazines including Vogue.
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Her first professional acting role occurred in 1981 when she starred in the TV movie The Star Maker alongside Rock Hudson, Suzanne Pleshette and Melanie Griffith.
Two years later, Alfonso was cast as Hope Williams on the NBC soap opera Days Of Our Lives.
Her character had been paired with Bo Brady, who was portrayed by Peter Reckell.
Alfonso told Glamour in a previous interview, ‘If I could go back as a young girl walking into Days in 1983, I would tell myself, “Thank you for taking the risk.
‘”You’re about to go on an incredible journey. It’s one you will always be eternally grateful for.”‘
The actress also expressed how she always wanted to give her ‘best’ performance as Hope for the audience.
Two years later, Alfonso was cast as Hope Williams on the NBC soap opera Days Of Our Lives; seen (far left) in 2013
Her character had been paired with Bo Brady, who was portrayed by Peter Reckell (seen above)
‘I want to give them their money’s worth. They gave me their time; I want to give them some enjoyment.’
She added, ‘But even though I’d been at Days for so long, some actors would tease me for feeling nervous. But my parents would always tell me, “Kristian, it’s good to be nervous – you never want to be too comfortable.”‘
Alfonso appeared on the show from 1983 through 1988. She then starred once again in 1990.
The actress returned in 1994 and continued to appear in episodes until 2020 when she announced her exit from the series.
However, she returned three years later in 2023 and starred in more episodes in 2024 and 2025. The star had also appeared in the spinoff Days Of Our Lives: Beyond Salem back in 2022.
‘I have seen online where viewers have stated that I said, “Never” regarding [returning someday] – I never said never,’ Alfonso explained to Soap Opera Digest ahead of her return in 2023, per TV Line.
‘I said that I will not be popping in and out like other actors have done in the past. I didn’t say I’m never, ever coming back. I was not absolute.’
Aside from her decades-long run on Days Of Our Lives, Alfonso has taken on other roles over the years as well.
She has appeared in shows such as Murder, She Wrote, Who’s The Boss and Full House.
Alfonso told Glamour in a previous interview, ‘If I could go back as a young girl walking into Days in 1983, I would tell myself, “Thank you for taking the risk”; seen in 1985
The actress played the role of Pilar in the show Falcon’s Crest (1988-1990) as well as two episodes of Baywatch in 1993; seen in 2024 in NYC
The actress played the role of Pilar in the show Falcon’s Crest (1988-1990) as well as two episodes of Baywatch in 1993.
Alfonso portrayed Lauren Ethridge in Melrose Place (1993-1994) and also starred in a 2000 episode of Friends.
The star married Simon Macauley in 1987 and the pair welcomed a son three years later. Their divorce occurred the following year.
She went on to tie the knot with Danny Daggenhurst in 2001 and the couple are parents to one son. Alfonso also became stepmom to Daggenhurst’s other son from a previous marriage.
