Sonny Kiriakis - wikipedia Sonny Kiriakis Sonny Kiriakis Days of Our Lives character Portrayed by Freddie Smith Duration 2011 -- First appearance June 23, 2011 ( 2011 - 06 - 23 ) Created by Dena Higley Introduced by Ken Corday and Gary Tomlin ( 2011 ) Ken Corday, Albert Alarr and Greg Meng ( 2015 -- 16 ) Classification Present ; regular Profile Other names Jackson Steven Kiriakis Jackson Sonny Kiriakis Occupation Entrepreneur Legal aid CEO Residence Salem, Illinois Family Family Kiriakis Johnson Parents Justin Kiriakis Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis Brothers Joey Kiriakis ( adoptive ) Victor Kiriakis II ( adoptive ) Half - brothers Alexander Kiriakis II Husband Will Horton ( 2014 -- 18 ) Grandparents Alexander Kiriakis Christina Kiriakis Duke Johnson Jo Johnson Uncles Steve Johnson Jack Deveraux First cousins Abigail Deveraux Stephanie Johnson JJ Deveraux Tripp Dalton Joey Johnson Other relatives Victor Kiriakis Sonny Kiriakis is a fictional character from the NBC Daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives portrayed by Freddie Smith. Sonny is the only biological child of supercouple, Justin Kiriakis ( Wally Kurth ) and Adrienne Johnson Kiriakis ( Judi Evans ). Sonny 's off - screen birth was announced onscreen in 1991. Created under head writer Dena Higley, Sonny was introduced onscreen in 2011 by executive producers Ken Corday and Gary Tomlin as Justin and Adrienne 's openly gay son -- and the first gay character in the show 's history. His major stories included a gay bashing storyline and the development of his romance with Will Horton ( then Chandler Massey ) who is just coming to terms with his sexuality. Sonny and Will ( Guy Wilson ) marry in 2014 becoming only the second same - sex couple to legally marry in the history of American daytime television. Sonny is also known for his friendship and business dealings with Chad DiMera ( Casey Deidrick ) -- a relationship that nearly gets him killed when their sports website is taken over by an illegal gambling operation. In 2014, the series introduced Sonny 's closeted first love, the world - famous baseball player, Paul Narita ( Christopher Sean ) and a romantic triangle develops which culminates in journalist 's Will seducing Paul in exchange for the exclusive rights to his coming out expose. Smith vacated the role in 2015 with Sonny being written out of the series after he leaves for Paris. Smith later briefly reprised his role in the fall of 2015 to facilitate the exit of the Will character. Smith permanently returned to the role in late July 2016. Smith became a fan favorite during his initial stint as one half of the show 's first same - sex supercouple with Will Horton and later in the romantic pairing with Paul Narita. The two couples are commonly referred to by the portmanteau `` WilSon '' and `` PaulSon ''. Smith also earned two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2013 and 2015, the latter of which he won. Contents 1 Storylines 2 Development 2.1 Casting and creation 2.2 Characterization 2.3 Introduction ( 2011 ) 2.4 Gay bashing ( 2012 ) 2.5 Departure ( 2015 ) 2.6 Return ( 2016 ) 3 Reception 4 Notes 5 References Storylines Jackson Steven Kiriakis, known as Sonny, was born on August 7, 1991 ( revised to 1988 ), in Texas as the only biological child of Justin and Adrienne Kiriakis. In 2007, Justin and Adrienne moved Sonny and their three others sons -- Alex, Joey and Victor -- back to Salem where he enrolls in Salem High School. However, by January 2008, Justin and Adrienne relocate again to Dubai. Sonny returns to Salem in the summer of 2011 and immediately decides to live as openly gay in Salem which means he must come out to his extended family including his great uncle Victor ( John Aniston ). While Victor is supportive of his nephew, he is worried about how others will react. Over the course of a year, Sonny settles into his life getting a job an internship as a legal aid for the district attorney, reconnects with his family and develops fast friendships with Will Horton ( Chandler Massey ), Chad DiMera ( Casey Deidrick ) and Gabi Hernandez ( Camila Banus ) who accept him despite their friend T 's ( Brendan Coughlin ) disapproval. Sonny later partners up with Sonny and Will to launch a website for sports fans at Salem University. However, they are forced to shut the website down when criminals begin using it for illegal gambling. The criminals kidnap Gabi, Chad, Melanie Jonas ( Molly Burnett ) and Sonny 's cousin Abigail Deveraux ( Kate Mansi ) forcing Sonny, Will and Austin Reed ( Patrick Muldoon ) to come to their rescue. Sonny and Chad embark on another business venture when they open Common Grounds coffee shop together. Sonny wants the shop to be a place where people from all walks of life can feel accepted. When Will chooses not to be involved, Sonny suspects he is keeping his distance because he is questioning his sexuality. Trying to be supportive, Sonny often invites Will to hang out with him and his friends. When Will confides in Sonny about his feelings in the summer of 2012, Sonny realizes he has fallen for him and kisses him only for Will to reject him. T accuses Sonny of making Will gay and physically assaults him. Sonny is comforted by his friends and family and Victor even threatens T. Sonny and Will begin dating when Will officially comes out only for Will 's father Lucas ( Bryan Dattilo ) to disapprove. However, once Sonny makes it clear that he definitely loves Will, Lucas backs off. With their relationship going so well, Sonny agrees to lend Will some money. Meanwhile, Sonny notices tension between Chad and the pregnant Gabi but Chad refuses to give him an explanation. In January 2013, as Gabi is set to marry Will 's cousin Nick Fallon ( Blake Berris ), Chad interrupts the wedding by announcing Nick is not the father of her baby forcing the best man Will to come forward and claim the child. A devastated Sonny demands answers from Chad who reveals that Gabi was behind the scheme to kidnap his then girlfriend Melanie -- but he did not know Will was her baby 's father. Sonny reconciles with Will but is very weary of trusting Gabi and Nick. Sonny 's suspicions prove true when Nick blackmails Will into signing away his parental rights in exchange for Nick keeping quiet about Will shooting EJ DiMera ( James Scott ) back in 2007. Nick and Sonny later gets into a fight forcing Will to go to his mother Sami Brady ( Alison Sweeney ) for help. Sonny supports Will and Sami 's plans to ingratiate themselves to crime lord Stefano DiMera ( Joseph Mascolo ) in hopes that he will destroy the evidence against Will. Meanwhile, Sonny and Sami steal Nick 's copies of the recordings of Will 's confession. In May 2013, Sonny and Will follow Nick and Gabi who are being held at gun point by an armed gunman. They rescue Gabi and Will stays behind to rescue Nick. However, Gabi goes into labor and Sonny helps her deliver her daughter Arianna in an abandoned shack. Sonny is distraught when Will gets shot trying to rescue Nick but fortunately -- he pulls through. After Gabi splits with Nick, Sonny convinces her to move in with them so they can raise Arianna together. Later, Sonny and Will are furious to learn that Gabi is seeing Nick again and Gabi threatens to move out with Arianna if they do n't back off. They are relieved when Gabi soon breaks up with Nick on her own. After Nick mysteriously disappears, claiming to have left town -- Will realizes Sami, Gabi and his grandmother Kate Roberts ( Lauren Koslow ) are hiding something and Will assumes they are planning a surprise birthday party for him. Sonny listens in on one of their conversations at Will 's request only to learn that the three women are covering up Nick 's apparent murder having disposed of his body in the river. The three women convince Sonny to keep quiet insisting that Gabi killed Nick in self - defense. After he convinces Will to keep quiet, Sonny begins having nightmares about Nick. They are all shocked when Nick crashes Arianna 's christening in January 2014 appearing to have amnesia. While everyone including Sonny remained suspicious of Nick, Gabi falls back into old habits and Sonny warns her away from him. Meanwhile, Sonny proposes to Will ( Guy Wilson ) and he rejects him saying he wants to wait for the situation with Nick to be resolved. However, thanks to his grandmother Marlena Evans ( Deidre Hall ) -- Will officially accepts Sonny 's proposal on Valentine 's Day. The duo are married by Marlena on April 3, 2014, at Victor 's mansion in front of their family and friends. As the newly weds settle into their life, Sonny and Gabi butt heads over her reconciliation with Nick. While he put on a facade for Gabi, Nick shows his true colors with everyone else threatening to send Gabi, Kate and Sami to jail for his attempted murder. Sonny goes so far as to steal a gun from Victor 's house and keep it for protection and Will urges him to return the gun only for Nick to be shot to death the following day. Will confesses to the crime fearing Sonny is responsible but Sonny quickly reveals he is innocent. Gabi later confesses to killing Nick after overhearing his threats to Sonny. With Gabi in prison, Sonny and Will promise to stay in touch with her. As they start their new life, Sonny appeals to Victor who pulls some strings to get Will hired at True Vista magazine. Sonny is weary when Will 's first article focuses on his mother Sami 's attempt to destroy her husband EJ because he has cheated on her. Sonny tries to get him to drop the article but Will refuses. Sonny is furious when the article hits the press identifying Abigail as EJ 's mistress. It is revealed that Sami leaked Abby 's identity to the editor. Meanwhile, Chad ( Billy Flynn ) returns to Salem and Sonny resents him for abandoning their club. Sonny buys out Chad allowing him a larger share of the profits and Chad also agrees to finance a second location for a new club. After EJ 's murder, Sonny reluctantly gives Will his blessing to accompany the grieving Sami to Hollywood where he will work on the screenplay about Sami 's life for a film. Tied up n his work, Will neglects Sonny who struggles to build the new club. He is forced to clear out his and Will 's joint savings account to finance the club. Meanwhile, Sonny is reunited with his ex-boyfriend, world - famous baseball player, Paul Narita ( Christopher Sean ). The closeted Paul wants to reunite with Sonny who quickly reveals he is married. Will and Ari return just in time for Christmas and he starts work on a top secret article for SONIX magazine. Just before the article 's release, a customer at Sonny 's club Derek ( Spencer Neville ) inadvertently reveals to Sonny that Will and Paul are having an affair. A furious Sonny goes to confront Will only to be stabbed and left for dead by one of Victor 's enemies. Victor and his wife Maggie Horton ( Suzanne Rogers ) discover Sonny and rush him to the hospital where he undergoes emergency surgery. Sonny initially wakes up with amnesia from the trauma but as his memories of the attack return -- so does his anger toward Will. Sonny is shocked when he receives a visit from Paul and forces him to confirm the affair and throws him out. Sonny then confronts a defensive Will who confesses that he believes Sonny only married him because Paul had rejected him. Upset, Sonny decides separation is best and goes to Arizona to visit his brother Alex. Sonny later goes to Paris to work for Victor managing clubs and casinos. In October 2015, Sonny is devastated to learn Will has been murdered and he returns home to attend the funeral. Sonny leaves town again unable to shake the memories of Will and returns to Paris. In July 2016, Sonny moved back to Salem and within time, rekindles his relationship with Paul. In 2017, Sonny is named CEO of Titan Industries and also becomes engaged to Paul. Development Casting and creation Freddie Smith on Sonny There 's been a lot of controversy about this and for me to be able to ( be ) a part of it, to be able to change people and make a difference... I 'm really excited to play a character with that much pull. `` '' Lynette Rice, Entertainment Weekly In May 2011 rumors circulated that Freddie Smith -- known for his recent portrayal of Marco Salazar -- a gay character from The CW 's Teen drama 90210 was slated to join the cast in another gay role. On June 17, 2011, Entertainment Weekly confirmed exclusively that Smith had been cast in the role of Sonny, an openly gay character -- connected to a previously established family. `` It 's great ! '' Smith said of portraying the first openly gay character in the show 's nearly 50 - year history. `` I 'm very excited to portray him '' Smith said of his casting. `` I love that I can do a role like this, stand up and speak out on what I believe in. I want to show that it 's okay '' the actor stated. Smith relished in playing a role `` that makes a difference '' and said it `` makes my job that much better -- and to be apart of history ; I 'll go down in the history books, I mean it 's great ! '' Smith originally auditioned for the role of Ryan in March 2011 -- a high school quarterback. After several meetings with the director of casting, Marnie Saitta, Smith learned that he would instead be playing a gay character. Thanks to his experience on 90210, Smith had very little reservations about playing the role of Sonny. Smith screen - tested opposite Judi Evans who would play his mother, Adrienne. `` I had an inkling I would get ( the role ) because Judi and I clicked so well '' Smith said of his audition. Smith believed he got the role of Sonny because he can relate to him so easily. Despite being straight in real life, Smith said `` When I read the scripts, I just get it instantly. '' He revealed that the casting department was quite impressed by his audition. In his portrayal, Smith said `` I do as much work on the character as I can to make it as real as possible and to tell a good story. '' To prepare for the role, Smith did a lot of research and also went to his own gay friends for advice. `` I started reading through people 's personal stories and these feelings, and it brings me that much closer to the LGBT community. '' Entertainment Weekly first reported on the plans the for usually conservative Days of Our Lives to introduce its first character in March 2011. Co-executive producer Greg Meng gave an interview to Frontiers magazine where he discussed how Sonny came about. `` This has been discussed for a long time with a lot of thought. And yes, there were concerns, but it 's like, ' Wow. Who are we ? What are we thinking ? It is time ! ' We did n't want to do some gay love story, or just go off on some extreme ripped - from - the - headlines political story, just to be telling a ' gay story. ' We are looking at a long - term, longtime beloved characters type of situation for Sonny. It is about a character who is now on the show, and who by the way, is gay ! '' As Sonny hit airwaves, there were rumors of some opposition from certain affiliates who had threatened to stop airing the series if the story continued. Despite the potential push back, Meng said that executives across the board, from both NBC and Sony were in support of the story. Smith explained that the producers `` really did not want to go in a stereotypical '' direction with the story. `` They wanted to show different aspects of the story and that went into the casting of Sonny. '' Characterization Freddie Smith described Sonny as `` the center of attention kind of guy in a good way. '' He continued, Sonny is `` very confident and mature. '' Sonny is very `` open - minded. '' According to Smith, when Sonny makes mistakes, he learns from them. Smith described Sonny as `` so colorful and three - dimensional. He 's such an interesting character. '' Greg Meng said the character was envisioned as `` the guy next door, but yet has strength, vulnerability and charm. '' Meng also said `` the plan is for Sonny to be very responsible. '' According to Smith, `` Sonny is a positive character '' usually. Introduction ( 2011 ) Smith on Sonny 's introduction When I first came on the show and was being interviewed, it was all about being the first gay character. A year and half later people are like, `` So Sonny is doing so and so in his life. '' He just became Sonny, not labeled just the first gay character. I think it was great that they came to know Sonny for Sonny. I think fans that waited will be very happy that they waited and hung in there with us. Now, Sonny is going to take Salem by storm and people can start to invest and enjoy in his storylines. `` '' Michael Fairman, On - Air On - Soaps What sets Sonny 's introduction apart from the introductions of other gay characters is `` that he was comfortable, and out, and even his family was accepting of him '' Smith said. He continued, `` They just wanted to show that when you come out and you are with the people you trust and love -- you can finally get out from under that rock, and just be who you are. '' The openly gay Sonny slowly eases into canvas as he develops relationships with those he comes in contact with. Unlike most character introductions, Sonny is not immediately thrust into a romance. Already four months into his tenure, Smith insisted that he `` legitimately '' did not know who his love interest would be but he was excited because it was all people were talking about. Smith added that giving Sonny a love interest would make him much more `` dimensional '' as a character. `` Everyone on the show has a boy or a girl, and I am like the fifth wheel '' he joked. However, Smith came to appreciate the waiting period. `` It was important for people to get to know Sonny as a person and not just as this gay character on the show, who is dating another gay character. '' One consistent theme with Sonny is that he is very open about his sexuality. While his parents are worried about how others will react -- particularly Sonny 's great uncle Victor Kiriakis ( John Aniston ) -- `` Sonny is very comfortable. He 'll tell anyone '' Smith said. Smith explained that Sonny `` just wants his friends and family to accept him for who he is. '' Victor 's support is something Sonny never questions because of how close they are. While said it would have been cool to do a coming - out story with Sonny he appreciated how comfortable Sonny is with being openly gay because `` It showed that it 's great to have a support system. It made it easier for him to come out. '' Not only does Sonny 's introduction make him the only representation of a gay character on daytime television at the time as All My Children 's iconic lesbian character, Bianca Montgomery ( Eden Riegel ) made her final appearances when the soap went off the air in September 2011, he was also the first `` official '' gay character in Days of Our Lives 's 47 - year history. Gay Bashing ( 2012 ) Upon his arrival in 2011, Sonny 's life seemed very easy going and Freddie Smith hinted that `` At some point, there will be conflict in Sonny 's story. '' Meanwhile, his uncle Victor 's only concern is how other people will react to his nephew. In the summer of 2012 during an interview with Outlook Media Smith revealed that Sonny would be involved in a bullying storyline. Smith previewed the storyline during and interview and said `` it 's told very well, and I think it 's important to show storylines like that because it happens in real life all the time. '' He insisted the importance of showing `` how ( bullying ) affects people. '' When Brendan Coughlin reprises his recurring role as Tad `` T '' Stevens in the summer of 2012 -- T and Sonny are already at odds. `` He did not like Sonny because he is gay, he is a gay basher '' Smith said of T. So when T returns to town and finds out his best friend Will Horton ( Chandler Massey ) has recently come out of the closet -- T blames Sonny for it. '' Sonny has already experienced this before and the incident with T `` brings him back -- he thought he was home free. ( It 's ) disappointing to him. He was very bullet proof at first. '' Smith explained that Sonny already `` came to terms with who he is, and he thought all of this was in his past. '' The ordeal kind of shocks him. Smith admitted to having his own experience being bullied but described it as `` very mild. '' However, he knew of others that had worse experiences and thought it was a good reason that the plot address the `` huge issue. '' For about two weeks, the series shows the emotional affects of the bullying from Sonny 's point of view and how he works through those emotions. One particular scene shows Sonny being comforted by his father, Justin ( Wally Kurth ). `` It turned out to be such a great scene '' Smith remarked. He continued, `` It 's important to have family there under circumstances like that. '' The storyline culminated with Sonny retaliating against his attacker Tad `` T '' Stevens ( Brendan Coughlin ). `` I personally would n't go after someone like that '' Smith said but he defended Sonny 's actions by saying `` our emotions run wild and we do n't always think. We just react. '' Smith praised his costar Brendan Coughlin for his portrayal of T. `` I just react off of him. He really scares me and makes me feel like crap. '' The storyline also afforded Smith with the opportunity to speak to congress about an anti-bullying campaign. Departure ( 2015 ) Smith 's Facebook message I remember people being unsure how the audience would accept the character. With amazing writing and an incredible vision, `` Days of Our Lives '' and the creative team told a raw, uncut, passionate love story between two men who fell in love. Will and Sonny became the POWER COUPLE known as WILSON ! We were treated like every other couple on the show and the audience accepted us with open arms. I feel so blessed to have been a part of the equal rights movement over the past 4 years. I will never forget the journey I had as Jackson `` Sonny '' Kiriakis. Thank you to all my friends, family, and fans for your support and love. I know Sonny will be missed, but I hear Salem always has their door open ! `` '' Freddie Smith, Facebook On April 3, 2015, Michael Goldberg of Serial Scoop reported that Smith would be leaving the series. However, neither the network or the show runners were available to comment at press time. Daytime Confidential 's Jamey Giddens revealed that he had contacted the show 's publicist but had yet to receive a response. Soap Opera Digest reported that Smith had decided to leave the series on his own accord. Smith who finished taping scenes in March 2015 confirmed his exit to Soap Opera Digest in May 2015 and revealed that the door was left open for his character to return. He revealed that he wanted to pursue other endeavors such as producing and directing. Not even his Daytime Emmy win could make Smith rethink his decision to vacate the role of Sonny. `` During the press conference after his win, Smith said `` I think it 's a reminder ( of DAYS ) but it 's also pushing me into the future ; letting me spread my wings and move on. It represents a lot of things -- the future and the past, if you will. '' `` Working 60 hours a week on DOOL, I had all my focus on the show. In order for me to direct and pursue films, I had to make the tough decision and leave the show. '' Smith had signed a four - year contract, and `` I knew my contract was coming to an end and the big decision had to be made. '' He continued `` as an actor, I wanted to step outside of my comfort zone. '' Smith met with executive producer Ken Corday and the production team to inform them of his decision. `` They even said the door was always open, which is the best compliment I could have received '' the actor said of the show 's support of him. Smith 's final scenes aired on August 18, 2015 and he posted a heartfelt message to fans on his Facebook page. `` As Freddie I was genuinely sad, and so was the character '' Smith said of his final day on set. `` It was very emotional. '' Smith explained that his desire to try other things contributed to his decision not to sign another contract earlier in the year. `` I have a few films that are already in preproduction. They 'll go into production very soon. '' In story, Sonny leaves town to work for his uncle Victor in Europe after his marriage to Will falls apart due to Will 's affair with Sonny 's boyfriend, Paul Narita ( Christopher Sean ). Smith appreciated that the character had experienced some pain and drama. `` Before the story ( with Paul and Will ) start, I remember thinking, ' Sonny 's so happy. Can he just yell once in a while ? ' '' Smith insisted that Sonny could definitely return. Only a month after Freddie Smith 's final scenes aired, rumors circulated that Guy Wilson 's Will Horton was to be killed off in October. Days historian Jason47 reported that Smith would briefly reprise the role of Sonny to help facilitate Wilson 's departure. Smith told Soap Opera Digest that he was literally contacted by the series to briefly reprise his role the following week after he finished filming scenes in March 2015. `` It was very top secret '' he remarked. A month later, he was contacted again about details of his return and informed that Will Horton was being killed off. `` It was the last thing I would have imagined. '' Due to the nature of his swift return, `` It felt like I was away for a long weekend. '' Smith filmed four episodes which started airing on October 12, 2015. He last aired on October 22 as a grief - stricken Sonny leaves town again as it is too painful to remain in Salem. `` With Will being gone, I felt like there was a closure '' Smith said of his return. In an interview with AfterBuzz TV, Smith revealed that Guy Wilson had contacted him in secret to inform him of the decision to kill of the character and he was officially contacted by the network after. Smith felt the need to explain his prior statements about how he felt `` closure '' at the end of the story. `` The good closure not on the love story, but the closure in the sense that Sonny has to go back to see his husband. If he did n't go back -- it 's terrible that he died -- no one wants that -- but as the character, you would obviously go back and see your husband. It was just an interesting end to the whole thing. '' Return ( 2016 ) On February 3, 2016, a picture of actor Vincent Irizarry and Judi Evans on set showed a person resembling Freddie Smith working in the background. Though Irizarry claimed that the person was just a stagehand, many immediately speculated that Smith was set to return to the series. Soap Opera Digest officially confirmed the news of Smith 's return in April 2016. Michael Fairman of On - Air On - Soaps reported that Smith had been filming new episodes for several months which would begin airing in July 2016. Smith gave a statement to the magazine about his return. `` I am beyond excited about returning home to Salem. Sonny is back and it 's going to be amazing ! '' On May 27, 2016, Smith 's official fan account on Twitter announced that the actor had signed a new deal with the soap. Soap Opera Digest announced that Sonny 's return to the canvas was slated for July 26. Of his return, Smith revealed that he was contacted about reprising the role of Sonny in November 2015, shortly after he last aired and said he was happy to be welcome back to the show. Of his return, Smith said `` you 're going to see a mature side to Sonny. '' Reception Laurisa Mahlin from Soap Central expressed that `` Sonny came into town with a bag of awesome slung over his shoulder '' and that she adores Justin and Adrienne 's kid. Tony from Soap Central also stated `` Sonny has Justin 's charm, Adrienne 's common sense, and Victor 's persuasive streak. '' The character of Sonny Kiriakis has been received well with critics and the audience. The Will and Sonny romance has also gained a lot of fan support and critical success, TV Guide has said that `` While it took 45 years for the show to introduce its first openly gay character ( Sonny ) and another year and a half to find him a male partner ( Will ) the wait was well worth it. This steamy, star - crossed saga has had its drama to spare ( paranoia, blackmail, impossible parents ! ), but its success lies in the fresh easy charm of these young men. '' TV Source Magazine named Will and Sonny best couple of 2012 in the Days of Our Lives series, saying `` One of the most refreshing things about Will and Sonny 's relationship is it 's portrayed just as any heterosexual couple. Watching them grow from friends to being in love was one of the highlights of the year for DAYS. '' Smith 's portrayal of Sonny earned him a nomination for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series at the 40th Daytime Emmy Awards in 2013. He won that award at the 42nd Daytime Emmy Awards in 2015. Notes ^ Jump up to : The announcement of Justin and Adrienne 's child was shown in 1991, under executive producers Ken Corday and Al Rabin and head writer Gene Palumbo. The character was later developed and introduced under executive producers, Ken Corday and Gary Tomlin and head writer, Dena Higley. References Jump up ^ Ken Corday and Al Rabin ( Executive producers ) ; Gene Palumbo ( Head writer ) ( August 7, 1991 ). Days of Our Lives. Season 25. Episode 6570. NBC. ^ Jump up to : Rice, Lynette ( June 17, 2011 ). `` Official : ' Days of Our Lives ' begins gay storyline -- EXCLUSIVE ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2013. Jump up ^ Fairman, Michael ( May 13, 2011 ). `` Is 90210 's Freddy Smith heading to DAYS to play love - interest in gay storyline ? ''. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Hagey - MacKay, Aaron ( August 27, 2012 ). `` Freddie Smith Makes Days History ''. Global Television Network. Shaw Media. Archived from the original on September 19, 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Waldron, Robert ( August 30, 2011 ). `` Sonny Days ''. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. 36 ( 35 ) : 44 -- 46. ^ Jump up to : Fairman, Michael ( September 17, 2012 ). `` Ready, Freddie ? ''. Frontiers. Frontiers Media. Retrieved May 16, 2016. Jump up ^ Rice, Lynette ( March 22, 2011 ). `` ' Days of Our Lives ' : Gay story line coming to Salem ? -- EXCLUSIVE ''. Entertainment Weekly. Time Inc. Retrieved May 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : Fairman, Michael ( August 22, 2011 ). `` Days Add a Dash of Gay as AMC Gals Bid Adieu ''. Frontiers. Frontiers Media. Retrieved May 16, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Caton, Alisa ( August 9, 2012 ). `` Interview : Freddie Smith, Days of Our Lives ''. Outlook Ohio Magazine. Outlook Media. ^ Jump up to : Fairman, Michael ( August 21, 2012 ). `` DAYS Freddie Smith Interview : From Gay Bashing and Bullying to the Will and Sonny Romance ! ''. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 16, 2016. ^ Jump up to : Di Lauro, Janet ( August 2012 ). `` Freddie Smith on Sonny, Will and Gay Bashing ''. About.com. The New York Times Company. Retrieved May 22, 2013. ^ Jump up to : `` DAYS OF OUR LIVES : Sonny 's Confession ! ''. HOT Plots Preview !. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. : 15. July 19, 2011. Jump up ^ Giddens, Jamey ( September 9, 2013 ). `` EXCLUSIVE : Days of Our Lives ' Freddie Smith Dishes Bullying, Scandal Crest and Sonny `` Showing Some Skin '' in Salem ``. Daytime Confidential. Confidential Media, Inc. ( SAY Media ). Retrieved May 15, 2016. Jump up ^ Lewis, Errol ( July 20, 2012 ). `` ' DAYS ' Star Freddie Smith Talks to Congress on Anti Bullying and Keeping P.E. in Schools ''. Soap Opera Network. Retrieved May 25, 2013. Jump up ^ Smith, Freddie ( August 18, 2015 ). `` This is CRAZY ! ! ! Today is the last airing episode... '' Facebook. Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Michael ( April 3, 2015 ). `` EXCLUSIVE : Freddie Smith Leaving ' Days of Our Lives ' as Sonny Kiriakis ''. Serial Scoop. Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ Giddens, Jamey ( April 3, 2015 ). `` Report : Freddie Smith Has Finished Taping at Days of Our Lives ''. Daytime Confidential. Confidential Media, Inc. ( SAY Media ). Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ `` FREDDIE SMITH EXITS DAYS ''. Soap Opera Digest. American Media. April 3, 2015. Retrieved April 3, 2015. Jump up ^ `` Freddie Smith on His Days Exit ''. Comings and Goings. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. 40 ( 20 ) : 11. May 18, 2015. Jump up ^ Bibel, Sara ( April 27, 2015 ). `` DAYS ' Freddie Smith Reveals How Daytime Emmy is `` Pushing Me Into The Future '' ``. Daytime Confidential. Confidential Media, Inc. ( SAY Media ). Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ Rapp, Ilana ( August 25, 2015 ). `` Actor Freddie Smith of Days of Our Lives Did What... ? ! Freddie Speaks Out ''. The Huffington Post. AOL. Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ Fairman, Michael ( August 18, 2015 ). `` Freddie Smith Posts Heartfelt Message As His Final Episode Airs On Days of our Lives ! ''. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 17, 2016. ^ Jump up to : `` Freddie Smith Dishes Days Exit ''. Late - breaking News. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. 40 ( 34 ) : 4 -- 5. August 24, 2015. Jump up ^ Fairman, Michael ( September 16, 2015 ). `` REPORTS : Freddie Smith Returning To DAYS To Wrap Story ! Guy Wilson OUT ! ''. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Freddie Smith 's `` Emotional '' DAYS Comeback ``. Soap Opera Digest. United States : American Media, Inc. 40 ( 42 ) : 5. October 19, 2015. Jump up ^ Fairman, Michael ( October 12, 2015 ). `` Freddie Smith On The Murder Of DAYS Will Horton & Sonny 's Return : `` It Was Just Extremely Sad '' ``. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 17, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Michael ( February 3, 2016 ). `` Is Freddie Smith Returning to Days of our Lives ? ''. Serial Scoop. United States : Blogger ( Google ). Retrieved April 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Michael ( April 13, 2016 ). `` Freddie Smith Returning to Days of our Lives ''. Serial Scoop. United States : Blogger ( Google ). Retrieved April 13, 2016. Jump up ^ Fairman, Michael ( April 13, 2016 ). `` Freddie Smith Returns To Days of our Lives ! ''. On - Air On - Soaps. Retrieved May 15, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Who 's Coming ''. Comings and Goings. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. 41 ( 17 ) : 10 -- 11. April 25, 2016. Jump up ^ Goldberg, Michael ( May 28, 2016 ). `` Freddie Smith Signs Contract with ' Days of our Lives ' ''. Serial Scoop. Retrieved May 28, 2016. Jump up ^ `` FREDDIE SMITH RETURNS TO DAYS TODAY ''. Soap Opera Digest. American Media. July 26, 2016. Retrieved July 26, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Freddie Smith Back on Days ''. Late - breaking News. Soap Opera Digest. American Media, Inc. 41 ( 31 ) : 5. August 1, 2016. Jump up ^ `` Friends in low places ''. Retrieved July 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` Blame it on the rain ''. Retrieved July 22, 2013. Jump up ^ `` The 40th Annual Daytime Entertainment Emmy Award Nominations ''. New York City : emmyonline.org and National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. May 1, 2013. Archived from the original on June 28, 2013. Retrieved May 1, 2013. Jump up ^ Nordyke, Kimberly ( April 26, 2015 ). `` Daytime Emmy Awards : The Complete Winners List ''. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 27, 2015. Days of Our Lives Current characters Vivian Alamain Brady Black John Black Caroline Brady Carrie Brady Reed Ciara Brady Claire Brady Eric Brady Hope Brady Kayla Brady Roman Brady Shawn - Douglas Brady Abe Carver Tripp Dalton Abigail Deveraux JJ Deveraux Andre DiMera Anna DiMera Chad DiMera Stefan DiMera Marlena Evans Eli Grant Valerie Grant Gabi Hernandez Rafe Hernandez Jennifer Horton Lucas Horton Maggie Horton Will Horton Adrienne Johnson Steve Johnson Parker Jonas Justin Kiriakis Sonny Kiriakis Victor Kiriakis Chloe Lane Paul Narita Lani Price Kate Roberts Doug Williams Julie Olson Williams Notable past characters Alice Horton Tom Horton Lawrence Alamain Susan Banks Belle Black Bo Brady Cassie Brady Chelsea Brady Frankie Brady Kimberly Brady Max Brady Sami Brady Shawn Brady Dr. Lexie Carver Theo Carver Liz Chandler Xander Cook Don Craig Neil Curtis Cameron Davis Jack Deveraux Daphne DiMera EJ DiMera Kristen DiMera Johnny DiMera Santo DiMera Stefano DiMera Sydney DiMera Tony DiMera Drew Donovan Eve Donovan Shane Donovan Theresa Donovan Nick Fallon Megan Hathaway Benjy Hawk Arianna Hernandez Eduardo Hernandez Addie Horton Allie Horton Bill Horton Jeremy Horton Laura Horton Marie Horton Melissa Horton Mickey Horton Nathan Horton Sarah Horton Tommy Horton Robin Jacobs Madison James Aiden Jennings Chase Jennings Joey Johnson Stephanie Johnson Daniel Jonas Melanie Jonas Calliope Jones Deimos Kiriakis Philip Kiriakis Paige Larson Bonnie Lockhart Mimi Lockhart Patrick Lockhart Carly Manning Alex Marshall Serena Mason Colin Murphy Tori Narita Celeste Perrault Austin Reed Billie Reed Curtis Reed Jordan Ridgeway Ben Rogers Jan Spears Isabella Toscano Ava Vitali Gina Von Amberg Brandon Walker Nicole Walker Taylor Walker Nancy Wesley Clyde Weston Related information Cast members Producers and writers Awards and nominations 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Doug and Julie Bo and Hope Sami and EJ John and Marlena Jack and Jennifer Steve and Kayla Shawn and Belle Lucas and Sami Will and Sonny Shane and Kimberly Salem Cruise of Deception Fictional families DiMera family Horton family Brady family Kiriakis family Johnson family Roberts family Days of Our Lives characters Present and future characters Vivian Alamain Brady Black John Black Tate Black Ciara Brady Claire Brady Eric Brady Hope Brady Kayla Brady Roman Brady Abe Carver Tripp Dalton Abigail Deveraux JJ Deveraux Chad DiMera Stefan DiMera Thomas DiMera Eve Donovan Marlena Evans Eli Grant Valerie Grant Gabi Hernandez Rafe Hernandez Arianna Horton Jennifer Horton Lucas Horton Maggie Horton Will Horton Adrienne Johnson Steve Johnson Justin Kiriakis Sonny Kiriakis Victor Kiriakis Chloe Lane Paul Narita Lani Price Kate Roberts Doug Williams Julie Olson Williams Past characters Tom Horton Alice Horton Hattie Adams Lawrence Alamain Susan Banks Bart Beiderbecke Belle Black Peter Blake Eugene Bradford Bo Brady Caroline Brady Carrie Brady Cassie Brady Chelsea Brady Frankie Brady Kimberly Brady Max Brady Rex Brady Sami Brady Shawn Brady Shawn - Douglas Brady Lexie Carver Theo Carver Liz Chandler Xander Cook Don Craig Neil Curtis Cameron Davis Anjelica Deveraux Jack Deveraux André DiMera Anna DiMera Daphne DiMera EJ DiMera Johnny DiMera Kristen DiMera Santo DiMera Stefano DiMera Sydney DiMera Tony DiMera Drew Donovan Shane Donovan Theresa Donovan Lee DuMonde Renée DuMonde Nick Fallon Megan Hathaway Benjy Hawk Arianna Hernandez Dario Hernandez Eduardo Hernandez Addie Horton Allie Horton Bill Horton Jeremy Horton Laura Horton Marie Horton Melissa Horton Mickey Horton Nathan Horton Sarah Horton Tommy Horton Robin Jacobs Madison James Aiden Jennings Chase Jennings Joey Johnson Stephanie Johnson Daniel Jonas Melanie Jonas Parker Jonas Calliope Jones Bradford Alexander Kiriakis Deimos Kiriakis Philip Kiriakis Maxine Landis Paige Larson Bonnie Lockhart Mimi Lockhart Patrick Lockhart Carly Manning Alex Marshall Serena Mason Mia McCormick Jade Michaels Anne Milbauer Colin Murphy Tori Narita Celeste Perrault Austin Reed Billie Reed Curtis Reed Jordan Ridgeway Wilhelm Rolf Jan Spears Isabella Toscano Ava Vitali Gina Von Amberg Brandon Walker Fay Walker Nicole Walker Taylor Walker Nancy Wesley Ben Weston Clyde Weston Character lists 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s Cast members Previous cast members Producers and writers Doug and Julie Bo and Hope Sami and EJ John and Marlena Jack and Jennifer Steve and Kayla Shawn and Belle Lucas and Sami Shane and Kimberly Will and Sonny Salem Cruise of Deception Horton family Brady family DiMera family Kiriakis family Johnson family Roberts family Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Sonny_Kiriakis&oldid=835693651 '' Categories : Days of Our Lives characters Fictional characters introduced in 2011 Fictional gay males Fictional LGBT characters in television Hidden categories : All articles with unsourced statements Articles with unsourced statements from July 2013 Talk Contents About Wikipedia Add links This page was last edited on 10 April 2018, at 06 : 15. Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike License ; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia ® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. About Wikipedia

Question: who plays sonny's dad on days of our lives
Answer: Wally Kurth