She is one of daytime television’s most enduring faces, a soap opera legend who became synonymous with a single role she portrayed across five decades.
But on Sunday, the 78-year-old actress cut a very different figure during a low-key stop at Subway in Santa Monica, where she picked up a sandwich.
The Wisconsin-born star kept things simple for the casual outing, stepping out in a long-sleeved black top with matching pants. She carried a brown bag, added white sneakers, and wore her blonde hair loose around her shoulders.
Her lunch run came after she was spotted taking care of everyday errands, including a visit to a nearby post office.
The celebrated actress, a mother of two who has been married four times, has also earned three Daytime Emmy Award nominations during her long-running television career.
So, can you figure out which soap opera icon she is?
The 78-year-old daytime TV legend is best known for playing the same beloved soap opera character for 50 years
The actress appeared almost unrecognizable on Sunday while stopping for a Subway sandwich in Santa Monica — do you know who she is?
She’s five-decade Days Of Our Lives veteran Deidre Hall, who is best known for playing Dr. Marlena Evans on the long-running drama.
Our News Outlet has reached out to Hall for comment but has not yet received a response.
Before Days Of Our Lives, Hall popped up on popular TV shows like The Streets Of San Francisco, Emergency! and Columbo. More recently, she appeared on Hacks.
Hall was raised in Florida and moved to Los Angeles after attending Palm Beach Junior College.
That is where she began modeling and getting commercials. Then she got into acting on TV.
In 1976, she was cast as superheroine Electra Woman in Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, a live-action children’s show that aired on Saturday mornings.
Hall appeared on a number of shows, including Emergency! (as Nurse Sally Lewis in the first two seasons), and The Young and the Restless (as Barbara Anderson).
She then was cast on Days of Our Lives in 1976 as Marlena.
She’s five-decade Days Of Our Lives veteran Deidre Hall, best known for playing Dr. Marlena Evans on the drama; pictured with Drake Hogestyn in a publicity still for Days Of Our Lives
The iconic beauty was cast on Days of Our Lives in 1976; pictured with Hogestyn in a publicity still
In 1976, she was cast as superheroine Electra Woman in Electra Woman and Dyna Girl, a live-action children’s show that aired on Saturday mornings; pictured in 1976 with Judy Strangis (L) on Electra Woman And Dyna Girl
The Wisconsin native wore a long-sleeve black top and pants for the casual outing, and accessorized with a brown bag
The mom-of-two finished off the look with white sneakers and wore her blonde locks down
Before grabbing lunch at Subway, Hall – who has received three Daytime Emmy nominations – was also seen errands at the local post office
She carried a beverage to go along with her sandwich
At one point she shielded her eyes with a pair of sunglasses
The star looked effortlessly chic while running her errands
Hall was seen getting back into her car
In 1986, Hall began playing Jessie Witherspoon on the family drama Our House, which ran for two seasons. Shannen Doherty played her older daughter.
But juggling two shows at the same time became stressful so she left Days of Our Lives in 1987.
Our House was cancelled in 1988 and then she took some time off.
Hall made guest appearances on a variety of prime time shows until March 1991, when she made a return to Days of Our Lives.
She remained on contract with the show for 18 more years until January 24, 2009, when she was let go due to budget cuts.
In 1995, Hall produced and starred in Never Say Never: The Deidre Hall Story, a made-for-TV movie about her journey to start a family.
In 2010, Hall wrote Deidre Hall’s Kitchen Closeup. In 2011, Hall guest-starred on the season finale of Lifetime’s Drop Dead Diva.
In 2024, Hall played a fictionalized version of herself on the HBO Max series Hacks.
She has been married four times: to William Hudson from 1966 to 1970; singer Keith Barbour from 1972 to 1977; producer and writer Michael Dubelko from 1987 to 1989; and author and screenwriter Steve Sohmer from 1991 to 2006.
Hall and Sohmer have two sons: David Atticus Sohmer and Tully Chapin Sohmer, born via surrogate.
In between her marriages to Barbour and Dubelko, Hall dated Louisiana State Senator Ned Randolph in the early 1980s.
In December Hall talked to People about the 60th anniversary celebration of DOOL.
Before Days Of Our Lives, Hall popped up on popular TV shows like The Streets Of San Francisco, Emergency! and Columbo; Pictured in LA circa 1989
Hall moved to Los Angeles after attending Palm Beach Junior College, and began modeling and appearing in commercials before transitioning to television acting; Pictured in 1990
She has also appeared on The Young and the Restless as Barbara Anderson; Pictured in a still from 1973
‘It’s a lifestyle, it’s a family, it’s a place to belong,’ Hall said. ‘I raised my children here, the best time with the best people.’
‘Nothing’s been on television for 60 years? You must realize that,’ she continued. ‘So I’ve said it before, but it’s a lot of people doing a lot of things right, and we’ve got good leadership.’
‘We’re a family show. We’re running and produced and run by a family, always have been, so it just makes sense that we would last 60 years.’
Hall joked she wants to stay on the show until her ‘key doesn’t open that gate.’
She also talked about her first day on the set of the soap opera.
‘I had a scene with Mac Carey, and I approached him. He was working with Mary Frann, who played Amanda, and I thought she’s so beautiful, and I was transfixed watching her work,’ Hall shared. ‘Mac was introducing us, and he said, “I’d like you to meet Dr. Evans.” And I said, “Oh no, please call me Amanda.” And the scene stopped.’
‘I waited for somebody to figure out they messed up. And finally, Mac came in and said, “Darling, she’s Amanda. You’re Marlena,”‘ she continued.
‘So that was my first day. Try to remember who you’re playing. A good life lesson.’
