DOOL Legend Deidre Hall Breaks Down in Tears During Emotional 50th Anniversary Tribute

Hall made her daytime debut playing Barbara Anderson on Young and Restless from 1973-75 before joining the cast of DAYS and becoming a television icon — but she originally said no to the role of Marlena because she mistakenly believed she was not the producers’ first choice!

“It has been the greatest joy of my life to have this job in this place with these people,” she told Soap Opera Digest in 2015.

During her decades in Salem, Hall has received three Daytime Emmy Award nominations and took home the Outstanding Lead Actress trophy at the Soapys (the precursor to the Soap Opera Digest Awards) in 1983 and 1984, and the Digest Award in the Lead Actress category in 1984, 1985 and 1995.

Take a look through this gallery of photos from the event to join in the celebration alongside DAYS stars like Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), Stephen Nichols (Steve), and Mary Beth Evans (Kayla).

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      DAYS Executive Producer Ken Corday hosted the event that paid tribute to Hall and honored her five decades as Marlena.

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      “Congrats to my dear friend and icon Deidre Hall on 50 years!” enthused Robert Scott Wilson (Alex) on Instagram following the party.

The video screen showed some classic moments from Hall’s years on DAYS, including her pairing with the late Drake Hogestyn that created the legendary supercouple John and Marlena.

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      “What an extraordinary legacy,” Stephen Nichols (Steve), seen here with Judi Evans (Bonnie), declared on Instagram. “For five decades, Deidre Hall has brought grace, strength, heart and unforgettable moments to Salem — and to all of us lucky enough to work beside her. Congratulations on this amazing milestone, Dee. Here’s to you, your remarkable career and the love you’ve inspired for generations of fans.”

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      Hall’s co-stars (from l.) James Reynolds (Abe), Jackée Harry (Paulina) and Josh Taylor (Roman) were on hand to help commemorate her remarkable accomplishment.

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      The video screen was also used to share heartfelt messages from those who were unable to attend the party at the studio, including Alison Sweeney, who has played Hall’s TV daughter, Sami, off and on since 1993.

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      Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie, r.) posed with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi, l.) and Sal Stowers (Lani) during the celebration and later shared on Instagram, “The turnout was full of cheers and words of gratitude for our Deidre’s talent, beauty, wit, and stellar character. Network executives and stars from all the soaps gave her shoutouts for being the Queen of Daytime Drama.”

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      Though their times on Y&R did not overlap, Hall also received special video messages from fellow daytime vets Eric Braeden (Victor) and Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) at the party.

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   Hall cozied up to castmate Greg Rikaart (Leo) for a photo during the fête. .

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   Wilson posed again with Hall, this time alongside Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) as well.