thumb|Hall at an autograph session for Deidre Hall's Kitchen Close Up in 2010
Deidre Hall (born October 31, 1947) is an American actress and model. She is best known for her portrayal of Marlena Evans on the NBC/Peacock daytime drama Days of Our Lives, whom she has played for over 45 years.
Hall has won many awards for her portrayal of Marlena, including two Best Actress Soapy Awards in 1982 and 1983. Hall has won three Soap Opera Digest Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1984, 1985, and 1995.
Hall was the first recipient of the Outstanding Contribution by an Actress/Actor Award in 1986;
Early years
The third of five children born to John and Jeanie Hall, Deidre and her twin sister, Andrea, were born on October 31, 1947, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and raised in Lake Worth, Florida. She studied psychology before moving into acting. Hall was cast, though, and the role skyrocketed her to fame, which was proved by fan protests when a 1979 NBC promo hinted that Hall's character would be killed off. However, she left Days of Our Lives in 1987 when it became too difficult to co-ordinate her prime time and daytime schedules. Our House was cancelled in 1988, though she did not immediately return to the soap opera.
Hall made guest appearances on a variety of prime time shows until March 1991, when she made a return to Days of Our Lives. This decision was a result of a request by producer Ken Corday, who hoped her return would have influence on the low ratings. According to the actress, she was approached to play a new character, but she refused and insisted on portraying Marlena, with a contract for six months only.
In 2024, Hall played a fictionalized version of herself on the HBO Max series Hacks.
Personal life
She has been married four times:
- William Hudson (May 6, 1966 – 1970)
- Keith Barbour (1972–1977), a singer
In between her marriages to Barbour and Dubelko, Hall dated Louisiana State Senator Ned Randolph in the early 1980s. She made several campaign appearances during Randolph's run for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 1982, which he lost to incumbent Gillis William Long.
She is close friends with General Hospitals Jane Elliot.
The Hall Family was one of the founding families of the town of Meriden, Connecticut, and Deidre is descended from two notable Halls. John Hall immigrated from England and settled in Boston in 1625. Another ancestor, Lyman Hall, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence.