Name: Kristian-Joy Alfonso
Born: 5 September 1964
P lace: Brockton, Massachusetts, USA
- Trivia
Graduated Brockton High School, Brockton Massachusetts Class of 1982.
Appeared on cover of Seventeen magazine in 1979.
Won a gold medal in the Junior Olympic Figure Skating Championships at
age 13.
As of July 2003, Kristian has two sons (Gino with Macauley and Jack with
Daggenhurst), and a step-son Spartan (with Daggenhurst).
Kristian-Joy Alfonso was welcomed into the world on September 5th in the Boston suburb of
Brockton, Massachusetts, by her parents, Gino and Joanne, and her older sister, Lisa.
Always smiling even as a baby, Kristian's agreeable nature and sunny disposition warmed
the hearts of family and strangers alike. Kristian's parents recall that their youngest
child's "star quality" was apparent very early on. Her father recounts stories
of people staring at the little beauty in the grocery store even when she was only a few
years old.
As a young girl, Kristian developed a passion for both ice skating and dancing. Always the
go-getter, Kristian became an accomplished athlete, winning the gold medal in figure
skating at the Junior Olympics when she was only 13 years old and establishing herself as
a strong contender for the upcoming Olympic Games. That dream was shattered when Kristian
was injured in a tobogganing accident that resulted in a severe multiple fracture of her
landing leg. Sadly, Kristian was forced into early retirement, as was the toboggan, which
Kristian's father is said to have chopped up for fire wood.
Prior to the accident, Kristian had been approached at one of her competitive events by
the Wilhelmina modeling agency, but at the time she was far more interested in her ice
skating and dancing so she declined the opportunity. After hanging up her skates, however,
she decided to give modeling a shot after all and Wilhelmina enthusiastically signed her
to a contract. Kristian's face soon graced the covers of over 30 international magazines,
including Vogue and Bazaar, all by the time she was just 15 years old.
Before long, Kristian was in search of a new challenge. This time she chose acting. Her
very first role at the tender age of 16 had her starring opposite Rock Hudson in the NBC
movie, The Starmaker. After completing the film, Kristian was asked to audition for the
role of Hope Williams on Days of Our Lives. But young Kristian wasn't yet ready to pick up
and leave home in the event she won the role (not to mention she was petrified of L.A.'s
infamous earthquakes), so Tammy Taylor was chosen to play Hope instead. Little did
Kristian know that she would make the character of Hope Williams famous only a couple of
years later.
In 1983, Kristian was again tapped to audition for the role of Hope. It seemed
serendipitous that the role should open up again, and this time -- older and more
confident -- Kristian decided to go for it. Poor Kristian thought for sure she had blown
it when she tripped and fell down the staircase in the Horton house during her screen
test. But quite to the contrary, instead of costing her the role, her endearing clumsiness
so captivated the producers that they knew right away no one but Kristian would do. Soap
opera history was made that day as Kristian was cast in the role of Hope Williams, a
character whom she would make undeniably hers and hers alone in the coming years.
Kristian became a fan favorite almost immediately after coming on board at Days of Our
Lives, but living the life of a popular soap star was not always as glamorous as it
seemed. Kristian recalls that during the eighties, her schedule was very often grueling.
Thirteen-hour work days were not uncommon for her, and for some storylines, she was often
called on to memorize upwards of 100 pages of dialogue daily. But as always, Kristian
relished the challenge and faced it head on. And just as Hope's fascinating lifestyle took
her to all corners of the globe, Kristian was privileged to experience those new
adventures right alongside her alter ego. Whether racing backwards down the raging Kern
River with nothing but a life vest, or diving in the waters off the coast of Florida, or
performing against the backdrop of romantic cities such as London, Stockholm and New
Orleans, Kristian never gave less than her best and her adoring public couldn't seem to
get enough of her.
In 1987, after four successful years as beloved heroine Hope Williams Brady, Kristian
decided it was time to say goodbye to Days of Our Lives and pursue other avenues. During
her time away from Days, Kristian portrayed the sultry Pilar Ortega on the prime-time
drama, Falcon Crest. She also guest-starred on several network television programs
including Full House and Who's the Boss? But Days of Our Lives was still home to Kristian
so when the producers asked her to return for a brief 13-week stint in 1990, she happily
agreed, much to the delight of her fans everywhere.
Kristian wrapped her second run on Days just in time to give birth in October of 1990 to
her son, Gino, who is named after her father. Even motherhood was not enough to slow her
down, however. In addition to spending as much time as possible bonding with her boy,
Kristian continued to nurture her successful acting career by branching out into
prime-time and films. Aaron Spelling was so impressed with Kristian's performance on
Melrose Place as bitchy, high-priced madam, Lauren Etheridge, that he parlayed her guest
appearance into a regular recurring role. Kristian also starred in movies such as
Blindfold: Acts of Obsession, with Shannen Doherty, and Army of One, with Dolph Lundgren.
In 1994, Days of Our Lives was once again beckoning Kristian home. This time she returned
as an amnesiac named "Gina" who was ultimately revealed to be the
long-presumed-dead Hope. In this most recent run on Days of Our Lives, Kristian has had
the opportunity to truly test her mettle as an actress in a way few other daytime
performers have, portraying simultaneously the multiple roles of Hope, Gina-within-Hope,
and an entirely separate character, Princess Gina. Kristian has demonstrated a remarkable
ability to make each character distinct and real to the audience, delighting cast, crew,
and fans alike with her talent and accomplishment.
On October 6, 2001, Kristian married long-time beau Danny Daggenhurst in a spur of the
moment private ceremony at her home. Kristian and Danny, along with their sons Gino and
Spartan, welcomed the most recent addition to their family on July 18, 2002. His name is
Jack.
Kristian's greatest success is likely that of being a devoted mother, a loving sister,
daughter, and friend, as well as a woman who is compassionate and appreciative of the
support of all of the fans who have watched and adored her through the years.
View actors filmography at IMDb
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