Humble Beginnings
As a child of immigrant parents he grew up poor, selling beer bottles so he could buy movie tickets. Since his family was close knit, his departure from Australia to study art history and fashion in New York City was difficult, but ultimately led him to a prosperous career in entertainment, garnering him fans in America as well as his native Greece and Australia.
It was during his time in New York that he met acting coach and theater director Milton Katselas, who encouraged him to pursue a career in drama. His New York stage debut was in the Off-Broadway play Jocky's.
Career
Over the course of his career he has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the television revival of Mission Impossible. His film credits include the 1980 film Altered States starring William Hurt and the 2007 film The Mirror, co-starring Kelly LeBrock. His television credits include a number of crime dramas, including Kojak, Cannon, Tenspeed and Brownshoe, Heart to Heart, Nero Wolf, and Magnum P.I.
Daytime drama is where Thaao Penghlis has found the most success, and since 1980 he has appeared on the popular soap operas Santa Barbara, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives. It is his dual roles on Days of Our Lives, however, that have made him a fan favorite. His characters belong to one of the most evil daytime families, the Dimeras. Tony Dimera and his evil cousin Andre have caused the people of Salem turmoil for years, even more so because they have both arisen from the dead countless times. Thus, Thaao has been contracted to the show five different times since his arrival in 1981.
The Traveler
Humble Beginnings
</small> As a child of immigrant parents he grew up poor, selling beer bottles so he could buy movie tickets. Since his family was close knit, his departure from Australia to study art history and fashion in New York City was difficult, but ultimately led him to a prosperous career in entertainment, garnering him fans in America as well as his native Greece and Australia.
It was during his time in New York that he met acting coach and theater director Milton Katselas, who encouraged him to pursue a career in drama. His New York stage debut was in the Off-Broadway play Jocky's.
Career
</small> Over the course of his career he has appeared in numerous films and television shows, including the television revival of Mission Impossible. His film credits include the 1980 film Altered States starring William Hurt and the 2007 film The Mirror, co-starring Kelly LeBrock. His television credits include a number of crime dramas, including Kojak, Cannon, Tenspeed and Brownshoe, Heart to Heart, Nero Wolf, and Magnum P.I.
Daytime drama is where Thaao Penghlis has found the most success, and since 1980 he has appeared on the popular soap operas Santa Barbara, General Hospital, and Days of Our Lives. It is his dual roles on Days of Our Lives, however, that have made him a fan favorite. His characters belong to one of the most evil daytime families, the Dimeras. Tony Dimera and his evil cousin Andre have caused the people of Salem turmoil for years, even more so because they have both arisen from the dead countless times. Thus, Thaao has been contracted to the show five different times since his arrival in 1981.
The Traveler
Fast Facts
Full Name: Thaao Penghlis
Birth Date: December 15, 1945
Parents are Greek
Came from poor family
Joined Australia's mission at the UN
Taught Kelly LeBrock how to dance
Enjoys learning how other societies live
Tony/Andre Dimera:
Plays cousins Tony and Andre Dimera on Days of Our Lives
As Tony, he did the first bathtub and shower scenes in daytime with co-star Leann Hunley's Anna Dimera
Friends with co-star Leann Hunley
His characters have been killed and resurrected more than 5 times
Tony is a Dimera by name only
Andre is a Dimera by blood
Tony/Andre have romanced Anna Dimera, Renee DuMonde, and Sami Brady
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Thaao Penghlis Timeline
Note: The IMDb links in this timeline have pop-ups.
1981: General Hospital - IMDb Listing | Wikipedia
1988-90: Mission Impossible - IMDb Listing | Wikipedia
1992-93: Santa Barbara - IMDb Listing | Wikipedia
2007: The Mirror - IMDb Listing
1981-08: Days of Our Lives - IMDb Listing | Wikipedia