Stephen Nichols

Stephen's favorite movies are Moulin Rouge and A Man For All Seasons.

Among Stephen's favorite foods are brownies and tandoori chicken.

Stephen's first acting job was in a musical called Take Me Along.

Stephen's favorite singer is Joni Mitchell.

Stephen often gets mistaken for Brad Pitt.

Stephen had trouble on his first day back on the Day's set. After 16 years he couldn't find Patch's trademark leather eye patch. He later recalled donating it to charity after Steve was buried alive in 1990. Fortunately, costume designer Richard Bloore came to the rescue when he found some old patches, enabling them to manufacture a more modern, 2006 version.

Stephen helped Mary Beth Evans set up her pie selling business. Filming her while making a pie, he was the sound guy, grip, gaffer and cameraman, and edited and put the music to it.

Stephen traveled to Australia and Scandinavia to promote Days Of Our Lives after leaving the show.

Stephen owns his own Santa Claus suit, and traditionally played Santa in a scene on Days of Our Lives. Additionally, he will occasionally play Santa at fan events where he loves to read the story "How the Grinch Stole Christmas."

Stephen was the pitcher for the Days Of Our Lives softball team during the mid-80's.

Stephen wore a green contact lens in his left eye during a 1989 storyline where Steve temporarily had a glass eye. He chose to do this to make the eye look more artificial.

Stephen had his character, Steve's, trademark eye patch covered in leather at a local leather shop to make the patch more individual.

Stephen learned sign language for an 1988 storyline where Kayla became deaf. As part of the story, he learned to sign the lyrics to the Bette Midler song The Rose.

A strong advocate for abused children, Stephen has been the representative for groups such as Parents Anonymous.

Stephen was the voice of an IKEA television ad campaign.

Stephen is an expert pool player, and gave that skill to Steve Johnson as well, finding it challenging to shoot pool while wearing Steve's trademark eye patch.

Stephen is a fan of the blues, and plays blues harmonica and the guitar.

Stephen coined Kayla's nickname "Sweetness," which became a trademark of the relationship in Days Of Our Lives.

During part of his tenure as Steve Johnson, Stephen had the second-highest "Q" rating (a measure of familiarity and appeal) on television, following Bill Cosby.

Stephen's son, Aaron, played a young Steve Johnson in a 1986 storyline telling the story of Steve's life in an orphanage. In 1990, his daughter Vanessa played a teenaged Stephanie Johnson, Steve's then-infant daughter, in a set of out-of-body experiences.

Is the patch Steven Johnson needs really necessary? No. It became an urban myth during the time Nichols played Steve Johnson that his eye-patch was real, or that it had affected his vision. In actuality, Nichols saw an eye doctor regularly to be sure the patch did no damage to his eyes.

Stephen adopted a vegetarian diet for a time after being a cook in an ashram, where he studied to be a monk. During his time he also learned to meditate, a practice he continues to this day.

Stephen's production company, VanAaron Productions is named for his elder daughter Vanessa and his son Aaron.

Stephen's favorite color is Cobalt blue.

Stephen has three children: Vanessa and Aaron from his second marriage, and Dylan with current wife Lisa.

Stephen is married to Lisa Nichols, with whom he has one daughter. He has previously married twice before, to the mother of his two older children, and briefly when he was very young.

Stephen's height: 6' (in his boots) Stephen's hair: Blonde Stephen's eyes: Green (bright green – both of them!)

Full name: Stephen Earl Nichols. He and his character Steven Earl Johnson have the same middle name. Named his character, previously known only as "Patch" himself.