‘Days of Our Lives' Alum Reveals He Walked Away From the Soap to Work With a Hollywood Legend
Former Days of Our Lives star Stephen Schnetzer is opening up about why he left the long-running soap opera during its early years.
In a recent interview with Jim Masters on his YouTube series The Jim Masters show, Schnetzer discussed his career across television, film, and theater, including his work in both New York City and Los Angeles.
During the conversation, Schnetzer reflected on his time on Days of Our Lives, where he portrayed Steve Olson, the brother of Julie Williams (Susan Seaforth Hayes) appearing in 115 episodes between 1978 and 1980.
Schnetzer explained that he was not under contract at the time, which gave him flexibility to pursue other opportunities. When a stage role became available, he decided to take it. "Franco Zeffirelli was holding auditions for replacements of a big success in the west end, a play called Filumena starring Joan Plowright and Frank Finley," he said, noting the production planned a small run before moving to Broadway.
After auditioning, Schnetzer was cast in the production. "So, I gave my notice at Days of Our Lives, and went back to New York, and went on to Broadway in that play," he recalled.
When the production moved to Broadway, Zeffirelli stepped away as director and was replaced by Laurence Olivier. Schnetzer described the experience as getting "two for the price of one," having worked with both acclaimed figures.
Although Filumena ran for 32 performances on Broadway, the experienced opened new doors. While in New York, casting director Mary Jo Slater invited Schnetzer to audition for One Life to Live. "I was there for a couple of years under contract," he said.
He went on to play Marcello Salta on One life to Live from 1980 to 1982 before transitioning to Another World, where he originated the role of Cass Winthrop and remained until the series finale in 1999.
Schnetzer later brought the character of Cass Winthrop to the CBS soap opera As the World Turns from 1999 until the character's exit in 2002.
Days of Our Lives streams weekdays on Peacock.
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This story was originally published April 20, 2026 at 9:40 AM.