Days of Our Lives’ Deidre Hall Slaps Craig Melvin Live on Today Show

Days of our Lives’ Deidre Hall Details What Makes the Show Family

Craig Melvin actually had one of the best days of his life.

Indeed, the Today host fulfilled a lifelong dream on the June 19 episode of the morning show as he received a slap in the face from longtime Days of Our Lives star Deidre Hall.

"Of all of the storylines that you've been a part of over the years—the coma, the demonic possession—what I've always enjoyed is your ability to slap," Melvin told Hall. "You're a great slapper."

Hall—who has been on the soap opera for 50 years—thanked Melvin with a laugh, noting that she “couldn't begin to imagine” how many slaps she had delivered on screen over the last five decades.

And Melvin had a very special request for the soap star.

"It would be one of the greatest professional honors of my life if you would slap me," Melvin said, to which Hall enthusiastically responded, “I’d be privileged to slap you.”

Melvin’s Today crew was particularly excited about the development, with the 47-year-old quipping, “She’s gonna do what so many of them have wanted to do for years.”

He then requested that Hall, 78, “be gentle now, don’t hurt the money maker," as she explained to him how they would orchestrate the slap.

NBC

"I'm gonna draw my hand back and I'm going to come very close to your face," Hall explained. "And when you feel that happen, you're gonna snap your head."

Hall then swung her hand at Melvin as he dramatically jerked his head and pretended to sob before the two burst into laughter.

Melvin raved to Hall, “You're the best.”

And after 50 years of slaps, Hall has no plans to say goodbye to her Days of Our Lives character Dr. Marlena Evans.

“As long as my key card opens the gate, I’m there,” she declared to Melvin. “It’s my family. I love that place. I couldn’t resist.”

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And Hall has long been grateful for her time on the series.

"In a world of endless auditions and occasional acceptance,” she told E! News in 2023 while celebrating her 5,000th episode, “I have been blessed with continuous work and the embrace of a deeply creative family.”

She added, "For over 45 years, I have lived an actor's dream."

For a deep dive into all the stars you might have forgotten were on Days of Our Lives, keep reading.

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