Jay Kenneth Johnson
ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE
SOAP STAR STATS
Jay Kenneth Johnson (Philip, DAYS)
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— NBC
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Vital Statistics
- Birthdate:
- February 24
- Birthplace:
- Springfield, MO
- Star Sign:
- Pisces
- Years On Show:
- 1999-2002, 2006-present
- Former Soap Roles:
- YOUNG AND RESTLESS (Brendan)
THE 411
Growing up in Springfield, MO, Jay Kenneth Johnson attended Baptist church every Sunday, and always imagined he would be working a normal desk job someday. Less than two years and four different majors into his college career at Southwest Missouri State, he dropped out and moved to Los Angeles against his parents' wishes.
After only seven months in California and a short stint as Brendan on Y&R, Johnson landed the role of Philip Kiriakis on DAYS OF OUR LIVES. Johnson was also in the running to replace Jonathan Jackson (Lucky) on GENERAL HOSPITAL, but DAYS offered him a contract first. He grew up watching DAYS with his grandparents, so he was thrilled to join the cast, and even a little starstruck. “I was walking down the hall and saw Joe Mascolo (Stefano) and Kristian (Alfonso, Hope). I had been watching them for 10 or 15 years. It was so wild!" he says about one of his first days on the set.
Johnson’s character, Philip, was surprisingly beloved by fans. His spoiled rich kid persona didn't deter fans from flooding Johnson with love letters and marriage proposals. Philip's relationship with Chloe ("Phloe") was a big hit, but their love was foiled when Brady Black interfered.
In 2002, Johnson left DAYS to pursue prime-time, and did so on FOX's drama NORTH SHORE. While shooting the series, Johnson lived on the beach in Waikiki. He never ruled out the possibility of returning to DAYS, which he did after four years. In 2006, Philip returned a new man (with a new face) determined to get his daughter back. "He's definitely got some anger management issues... I attribute it to everything he's been through. He lost his leg. He got his face blown off. His daughter was taken from him." Viewers are trying to get used to the new, angry Philip, but Johnson is enjoying and embracing the challenge.
ET CETERA
Five Random Facts
—Originally auditioned for the role of Brady, but was cast as Philip instead.
—Grew up in the same Missouri town as Brad Pitt, just around the corner from one another. They share other connections, too. John Aniston, Johnson's on-screen father, is also Pitt's former off-screen father-in-law.
—DAYS fans were so heartbroken when he left the show that they hired a plane trailing a "Good Luck" banner to fly over the studio on his last day.
—Off-screen, he is the polar opposite of Philip. His friends even say he's "too nice," and he agrees.
—In his spare time, he is the lead singer in the band Solid Jones.
OTHER ROLES
TV Roles
SCRUBS (Dr. Matthews, 2006-2007)
CSI: MIAMI (Jason Hollings, 2006)
CHARMED (J.D. Williams, 2005)
CSI: NY (Paul Deacon, 2005)
NORTH SHORE (Chris, 2004-2005)
THE O.C. (Vince, 2004)
HOTEL (Ethan Cox, 2003)
S CLUB 7 IN MIAMI (Ethan, 2000)
Film Roles
Hack! (Johnny, due out October 2007)
JOHNSON ON JOHNSON
"I liked being the conniving guy. I enjoyed playing that, assuming the role of an asshole or whatever he was. It was a challenge, because that's not how I am."—Soap Opera Weekly, 4/3/01
"I've definitely grown as an actor and learned more about my acting abilities. This is my job, but at the same time, it's almost like a class in that you learn something new every day. But apart from that, I don't feel any different. I really don't." (on how he's changed since he started on DAYS)—Soap Opera Digest, 12/5/00
"It kind of makes me laugh — they think I'm like some kind of Casanova and I'm thinking, 'Oh, my gosh! If they only knew!'"—Digest, 12/5/00
"It's almost like a new character because Philip's definitely not the same as when I was playing him. He has definitely gone through some changes that I, Jay, have not gone through yet. I haven't been married and I don't have a kid. I am a kid!"—Digest, 4/24/07
YOU SHOULD HEAR WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT YOU!
"There's something special about Jay. From the first day he got here he's been very professional and enthusiastic. He's a joy to work with."— Lauren Koslow (Kate, DAYS), Weekly, 4/3/01
