Arianne Bethene Zucker[2][1] (born June 3, 1974[3]) is an American actress and model. She is known for playing Nicole Walker on the NBC daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives since 1998.
Arianne Zucker | |
---|---|
![]() Arianne Zucker at the 2014 Daytime Emmys | |
Born | Arianne Bethene Zucker[1] June 3, 1974 Northridge, California, U.S. |
Occupation | Actress |
Years active | 1998–present |
Spouse | |
Children | 1 |
Early life
editZucker was born in Northridge, California, and raised in Chatsworth.[2] Zucker's father is Christian, whereas her mother is Jewish.[4][5] Her mother, Barbara, is a lab technologist and her father, Barry, is a plumber.[2] She has an older brother, Todd.
Career
editZucker began modeling at the age of sixteen when she was discovered by a scout from It Models. Starting in Los Angeles, her career took her to locations around the world, including France, Japan, Australia and New York. She attended Chatsworth High School, graduating in 1992. While there, she was a cheerleader during her sophomore and junior years. She later described her cheerleading experience:[6]
I was on junior varsity in 10th and 11th grade, and then I decided it wasn't for me. I was so tall and I wasn't one of "those girls". I made the team, but I didn't feel quite comfortable.
She appeared in several TV commercials, including national spots for Mazda and McDonald's. Settling in Los Angeles, she began studies as an actress at Los Angeles Pierce College. She was involved in several workshops that included her performances in Beth Henley's Crimes of the Heart and Neil Simon's The Last of the Red Hot Lovers. She continued her studies at the Howard Fine Studio, where she has been a student for many years. In February 1998, she auditioned for and won the role of Nicole Walker on Days of Our Lives.[7] In March 2017, Zucker announced she would be leaving Days of Our Lives.[8] Zucker made a brief appearance on the show in 2018, and then returned again in 2019.[9]
In a February 2024 wrongful termination lawsuit filing, accusing producers/production of retaliating against her for a sexual harassment complaint she made against co-executive producer/director Albert Alarr (who was fired in August 2023 following an internal investigation), it was announced Zucker's deal with the soap was not renewed.[10][11][12]
Personal life
editIn 2002, Zucker married actor Kyle Lowder, who co-starred with her on Days of Our Lives as Brady Black. After five years of marriage, they separated briefly in August 2007, then reconciled in March 2008.[13] They have one child.[14][15] In March 2014, Zucker and Lowder confirmed they were divorced.[16] In 2014, Zucker began a relationship with former co-star and love interest on Days, Shawn Christian. The two became engaged in June 2021.[17]
In October 2016, Zucker made headlines because she appeared in the Donald Trump Access Hollywood tape. Zucker responded to the controversy by issuing a statement, "It's not about me".[18]
Filmography
editYear | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2001 | Looking for Bobby D | Shannon | |
2009 | The Last Resort | Jessica | |
2013 | The Contractor | Kate | Direct-to-video film; also known as Unfinished Betrayal |
2016 | Killer Assistant | Suzanne Austin | |
2021 | Days of Our Lives: A Very Salem Christmas | Nicole Walker | Peacock Original Movie |
2023 | Monsters of California | Leah |
Year | Title | Role | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
1998–2006, 2008–2024 | Days of Our Lives | Nicole Walker | Main role |
2006 | CSI: Miami | Brenda Collett | Episode: "Dead Air" |
2013 | DeVanity | Julia Regis | Episode: "Baby Bumps" |
2016 | Killer Assistant | Suzanne | Television film |
2017 | Ex-Wife Killer | Laura | Television film |
2017 | Web Cam Girls | Rachel | Television film |
2018 | Mommy Be Mine | Liane | Television film |
2018 | Babysitter's Nightmare | Audra | Television film |
2018 | His Perfect Obsession | Allison Jones | Television film |
Awards and nominations
editYear | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2001
|
Soap Opera Digest Award | Outstanding Villainess | Days of Our Lives | Won | |
2005
|
Soap Opera Digest Award | Favorite Villainess | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | |
2010
|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | |
2013
|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | |
2014
|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | |
2020
|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | |
2022
|
Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated |
References
edit- ^ a b Arianne Zucker [@Ari_Zucker] (January 6, 2019). "I find it funny that Wikipedia still thinks my birth name is ZUCKERMAN! Hilarious! Really guys! Get it right! It's just ZUCKER" (Tweet). Retrieved January 11, 2019 – via Twitter.
- ^ a b c "Arianne Zucker — Online Bio". Soapoperadigest.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 2010. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ^ Arianne Zucker [@Ari_Zucker] (June 3, 2013). "Today is my 39th bday and I just got a #happymeal from #McDonald's. #winning" (Tweet). Retrieved September 9, 2016 – via Twitter.
- ^ "Celebrity Jews". October 20, 2016.
- ^ "Jewish Soap Opera Star Arianne Zucker Was Target of Donald Trump's Infamous X-Rated Chat". The Forward. October 8, 2016. Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ Soap Opera Digest, September 8, 2009.
- ^ Radloff, Jessica (January 23, 2016). "Days of Our Lives Star Arianne Zucker Looks Back on Her Time in Salem, Crushing on Jensen Ackles, and More". Retrieved October 9, 2016.
- ^ Vick, Megan (March 1, 2017). "Arianne Zucker Is Leaving Days of Our Lives". TVGuide. United States: CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on March 2, 2017. Retrieved March 1, 2017.
- ^ Cushman, Dustin (April 19, 2019). "Interview: Arianne Zucker Previews Days Return As Nicole Walker". soaps.sheknows.com. Retrieved April 19, 2019.]
- ^ Rice, Lynette (February 7, 2024). "Days of Our Lives Vet Arianne Zucker Alleges Sexual Harassment In Lawsuit Against Corday Prods., Albert Alarr; Show Claims Accusations Are 'Without Merit'". Deadline Hollywood. United States: Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Kang, Esther (February 7, 2024). "Arianne Zucker Sues Days of Our Lives Producers Over Alleged Sexual Harassment". People. United States: Dotdash Meredith. ISSN 0093-7673. OCLC 794712888. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Levinsky, Mara (February 7, 2024). "Days of Our Lives's Arianne Zucker Files Suit Against Show Producers". Soap Opera Digest. United States: A360media. ISSN 0164-3584. Archived from the original on February 8, 2024. Retrieved February 8, 2024.
- ^ Soap Opera Digest, March 3, 2008
- ^ "Arianne Zucker Reveals Pregnancy Details". Soaps.com. October 19, 2009. Archived from the original on October 24, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2010.
- ^ Soap Opera Weekly, January 5, 2010.
- ^ Janet Di Lauro (March 26, 2014). "Days of Our Lives' Arianne Zucker & Kyle Lowder Divorce". daysofourlives.about.com. Archived from the original on October 27, 2014. Retrieved October 27, 2014.
- ^ eades, chris (June 28, 2021). "Arianne Zucker and Shawn Christian are Engaged!". soapsindepth.com. Retrieved July 22, 2023.
- ^ Oliver Gettell (October 7, 2016). "Arianne Zucker on Donald Trump's graphic comments: 'It's not about me'".
- ^ "The Soap Opera Digest Awards: 2001". Soap Opera Digest. soapoperadigest.com. April 14, 2003. Archived from the original on March 3, 2009. Retrieved March 15, 2013.
- ^ "Soap Opera Digest Awards (2001)". imdb.com. Retrieved June 3, 2015.
- ^ "The 37th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 12, 2010. Archived from the original on May 12, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-05.
- ^ "The 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on June 6, 2013. Retrieved 2013-05-01.
- ^ "The 41st Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations". New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 1, 2014. Archived from the original on June 5, 2014. Retrieved May 1, 2014.
- ^ "The 47th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations" (PDF). New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 3, 2020. Retrieved May 21, 2020.
- ^ "The 49th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards Nominations" (PDF). New York: emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. 2022. Retrieved May 5, 2022.