Joseph Mascolo

Joseph Peter Mascolo (March 13, 1929 – December 8, 2016) was an American musician and dramatic actor. During his long career, he acted in numerous motion pictures and television series. He played villain Stefano DiMera on NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives from 1982 to 2016. He also starred as Massimo Marone on the CBS soap opera The Bold and the Beautiful from 2001 to 2006.

Early life Mascolo was born on March 13, 1929 He had one sister, Marie Anna LaVoie (April 24, 1936–April 16, 2024), who was also the widow of Ronald W. LaVoie (1934–December 24, 2022) of Yucca, California. He attended the United States Military Academy after graduating high school. Mascolo attended the University of Miami. To support himself financially, he studied acting under famed acting coach Stella Adler in New York City. He originally was trained in classical music and opera.

Career Theatre Mascolo was in the 1962 production of Night Life as Kazar and the understudy of Neville Brand. and won three Soap Opera Digest Awards. He has also played a wide range of roles on many different series including (but not limited to) a Stefano-like villain named Nicholas Van Buren on General Hospital, and Carlos Alvarez on Santa Barbara. Before achieving his fame, he was seen in the earlier soap operas Where the Heart Is and From These Roots. He also made primetime television appearances on All in the Family, The Eddie Capra Mysteries, Lou Grant and The Rockford Files.

Mascolo portrayed Massimo Marone on CBS's The Bold and the Beautiful beginning August 2001. He decided not to renew his contract with the show in July 2006, due to a lack of storyline and decided to return to Days of Our Lives, where his character Stefano DiMera was resurrected after six years.

Mascolo also appeared in The Incredible Hulk in October 1979, as Mr. Arnold in the episode "Brain Child". 10 years later, he would appear again in NBC's The Trial of the Incredible Hulk, as Albert G. Tendelli, a police confidant of Daredevil. In January 2016, he told Soap Opera Digest that he had suffered a stroke in the spring of 2015. "During my rehab, I thought this would be a good time for Stefano to leave." 1966 Dinner at Eight Alvin Theatre Ricci September 27, 1966 – January 14, 1967 Directed by Tyrone Guthrie, written by George S. Kaufman & Edna Ferber, and produced by Elliot Martin, Lester Osterman, Jr., Alan King & Walter A. Hyman, Ltd. 1968 West Side Story Lincoln Center Schrank June 24, 1968 – September 7, 1968 Directed and choreography by Lee Theodore and produced by The Musical Theater of Lincoln Center & Richard Rodgers. 1969 The Time of Your Life

Blick November 6, 1969 – December 20, 1969 Directed by John Hirsch, written by William Saroyan, and produced by Jules Irving.

Camino Real Officer January 8, 1970 – February 21, 1970 Directed by Milton Katselas, written by Tennessee Williams, and produced by Jules Irving. Operation Sidewinder Colonel Warner March 12, 1970 – April 25, 1970 Directed by Michael Schultz, written by Sam Shepard, music composed and performed by The Holy Modal Rounders, and produced by Jules Irving. The Good Woman of Setzuan Policeman November 5, 1970 – December 13, 1970 Directed by Robert Symonds, written by Bertolt Brecht, translated by Ralph Manheim, featuring songs by John Lewin & Herbert Pilhofer, and produced by Jules Irving. 1971 Murderous Angels Playhouse Theatre Col. Alcibiade Zbyre December 20, 1971 – January 9, 1972 1972 That Championship Season Booth Theatre Phil Romano September 14, 1972 – April 21, 1974 Filmography Film Year Title Role Notes 1968 Hot Spur Jason O'Hara Western film written and directed by R.L. Frost. 1972 Shaft's Big Score! Gus Mascola Neo-noir action crime–drama film directed by Gordon Parks. 1973 Happy Mother's Day, Love George Piccolo The Spook Who Sat by the Door Senator Hennington 1978 Jaws 2 Len Peterson Horror thriller film directed by Jeannot Szwarc. 1981 Gangster Wars Salvatore Maranzano 1982 Yes, Giorgio Based on the novel by Anne Piper. 1986 Heat "Baby"

Television Year Title Role Notes 1957 True Story Tony Brenner Episode: "The Accident" 1961 From These Roots Jack Lander American soap opera True Story Tony Brenner Episode: "6 May 1961" 1967 Coronet Blue Bodyguard Episode: "A Dozen Demons" 1969 The Good Guys Chauffeur Episode: "The World's Second Greatest Lover" The Doctors Policeman Episode: "#1.1668" Episode: "#1.1669" 1973 The Resolution of Mossie Wax TV movie. Drama film directed by Bob Walsh. Where the Heart Is Ed Lucas Episode: "#1.868" Episode: "#1.873" 1974 All in the Family Pat Bushmill Episode: "Gloria's Boyfriend" Dominic's Dream Dominic Bente Pilot sitcom written and directed by Garry Marshall. 1975 Baretta Frank Cassell Episode: "He'll Never See Daylight" 1975–1976 Bronk Mayor Pete Santori Contract role 1976 NBC Special Treat Papa Episode: "Papa and Me" Kojak Detective Jeff Braddock Episode: "A Summer Madness" Monster Squad Lawrence of Moravia Episode: "Lawrence of Moravia" ABC Afterschool Special Mr. Singleton Episode: "Mighty Moose and the Quarterback Kid" 1977 Switch Phillip Aspen / Martin Lorrimer Episode: "Portraits of Death" Stonestreet: Who Killed the Centerfold Model? Max Pierce TV movie. Mystery film directed by Russ Mayberry. The Rockford Files Gibby Episode: "Crack Back" 1978 The Eddie Capra Mysteries Joe Callen/Dr. David Weller Episode: "Dirge for a Dead Dachshund" Lou Grant McIntyre Episode: "Babies" 1979 The Incredible Hulk Mr. Arnold Episode: "Brain Child" 1981 The Gangster Chronicles Salvatore Maranzano Miniseries directed by Richard C. Sarafian. 1982–2017 Days of Our Lives Stefano DiMera 1984 Hart to Hart Nick Rhodes Episode: "Harts on the Run" Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter Richards TV movie. Biographical film directed by Lamont Johnson and written by April Smith. 1985 Comedy Factory Peter Wagner Episode: "Side by Side" Brothers Howard Dovall Episode: "A House Divided" Crazy Like a Fox Episode: "Fox in 3/4 Time" Santa Barbara Carlo Alvarez 1986 CBS Schoolbreak Special Ed Martinson Episode: "Have You Tried Talking to Patty?" Hill Street Blues Melvin Jardino Episode: "I Want My Hill Street Blues" Joe Bash Captain Charles Taylor Episode: "Joe's First Partner 1987 Hunter Mick Shaughnessy Episode: "Shades" It's Garry Shandling's Show Lieutenant Gerard Episode: "The Fugitive" Rags to Riches Viktor Leskov Episode: "Russian Holiday" 1988 The Equalizer Tony Costa Episode: "Always a Lady" 1989 General Hospital Nicholas Van Buren The Trial of the Incredible Hulk Albert G. Tendelli TV movie. Superhero film directed by Bill Bixby. 2001–2006 The Bold and the Beautiful Massimo Marone IV Contract role