ANTONY ALDA
IN LOVING MEMORY
DECEMBER
9, 1956-JULY 3, 2009
Antony Alda, who played Johnny
Corelli on "Days of Our Lives" from 1990-1991, has died. Alda passed away on
July 3, 2009. He was 52. Alda was born as Antonio D'Abruzzo on December 9,
1956 in Saint-Julien, France. His father was actor Robert Alda (who had also
appeared on "Days" as Stuart Whyland from 1981-1982). The senior D'Abruzzo had
changed the family's last name to Alda upon becoming an actor.
Alda first got into acting in 1965 (the same year
"Days" started), when he was cast in a unsold TV pilot based on the film "Three
Coins in the Fountain" (which eventually aired as a TV movie in 1970). Alda
remembers that "they needed a kid about 9 or 10, who could either speak a little
Italian or speak English with an Italian accent." Having split his childhood
years between New York City and Rome, Italy, he spoke both languages fluently.
After appearing in a few more things as a child (episodes of "Daniel Boone" and
"Walt Disney's Wonderful World of Color"), Alda has absolutely no desire to
pursue acting as a career. His new passion became music, and while he was
studying theory and composition of music at Juilliard in New York, his house was
robbed. Three days later, he left New York for Los
Angeles.
When Alda arrived in Los Angeles in 1977,
his father suggested he get back into acting. The only big advantage to having
Robert Alda as his father was that it helped him get an agent. Alda would appear
on "Switch", "Columbo", "Chips", "Quincy", "Knots Landing", "Throb", "Too Close
for Comfort", "Hunter", as well as an episode of "M*A*S*H", featuring both
himself, his father and his half-brother ("M*A*S*H" star Alan
Alda).
When Alda joined the cast of "Days" in May
1990, he had a sure feeling that he'd get the part. In a 1990 Soap Opera Weekly
article by Janet DiLauro, Alda stated that "You can really see things coming
sometimes. I knew I was going to get the part...and not because of anything
other than the fact that were just a lot of strange coincidences going on." Four
strange coincidences in fact. Number 1: "I was doing a play before I got this.
The producer of the play told me she had a friend on "Days"...George Jenesky
(Nick Corelli). I remember saying 'Are you serious? That's the guy whose brother
I would be playing.'" Number 2: Alda had taken over a role in play in 1985 which
was played by Stephen Nichols, who had left the play to join "Days" as Steve
Johnson. Alda then ran into Nichols at Dodger Stadium the same week he had
auditioned for Days. Number 3: "My mom was at her chiropractor's office, when a
woman walked in warting a "Days of Our Lives" sweatshirt. It turns out it was
Carol Brown, head of the "Days" makeup department. My mom told her I'd just
tested for that show and Carol asked "Which one was he? I probably did his
makeup." And, finally, coincidence Number 4: "I'm driving to this club where a
friend of mine plays. I decided to take a different road than I usually do. All
of a sudden, I notice this big lighting store. It's called Corday
Lighting!"
As for Johnny Corelli, Alda was
quite pleased with his role. He stated that "I couldn't have drawn a better
character myself. I've played a lot of outsider roles over the years...people
who are always just a little off-center. With Johnny, you never know what the
hell he can get into. He likes the challenge of what he does. He enjoys playing
with people's heads. It's almost like the reason you become an actor: You could
do something else, but this is more fun. He likes the sense of adventure. So do
I."
In a 1990 People article, Alan Alda had this to
say about his half-brother: "My father [Robert] was one of the most
charming actors of his generation, and there's some of that natural charm and
charisma in Tony. Plus, Tony's basic honesty adds to that, which makes him an
appealing person to watch." Alda did not act much after leaving "Days" in April
1991. His final acting appearance was as a security guard in the 2004
film "National Treasure." Alda leaves behind two sons, Ian and
Alexander.
A Family Affair: Alan Alda, Robert Alda and Antony Alda
in an episode of "M*A*S*H", 1980.
Antony Alda (in the middle of the back row) and the cast of "Days"
celebrate the show's 25th anniversary in November, 1990.
A tribute video
shown at Antony Alda's memorial service,
2009.