You’ve probably seen her on your screen for so long that she feels like a family member who just happens to be a world-famous psychiatrist. Deidre Hall has been a fixture of American television for decades. Seriously. Since 1976, she has inhabited the skin of Dr. Marlena Evans on Days of Our Lives, navigating everything from demonic possessions to kidnapping and digital clones.
But when it comes to the question of how old is Deidre Hall, there’s a lot of chatter and, honestly, a bit of disbelief.
As of early 2026, Deidre Hall is 78 years old. She was born on October 31, 1947. Yes, she’s a Halloween baby. That might explain why she handled those spooky supernatural storylines in the '90s with such ease.
The Numbers Behind the Icon: Deidre Hall Age Explained
It’s easy to get lost in the "soap opera time" vacuum where characters age twenty years in a single summer, but Deidre’s real-life timeline is much more grounded. She’ll be hitting the big 7-9 this October.
She was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, but she didn’t stay in the Midwest for long. Her family moved to Lake Worth, Florida, when she was just six. Imagine a young Deidre being crowned Junior Orange Bowl Queen at 12—it basically set the stage for a life in the spotlight.
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While she's 78 now, she looks and moves like someone decades younger. It’s not just "good genes," though that's part of it. She’s been incredibly vocal about her health, her skincare, and the discipline it takes to show up for work 50 weeks a year. You don't lead a major network (now Peacock) drama for half a century by taking it easy.
Why Everyone is Googling Her Age Lately
Honestly, the interest spiked recently because of some heavy storylines in Salem. In 2025, Days of Our Lives fans had to say a heartbreaking goodbye to Drake Hogestyn, who played John Black. He was Deidre's on-screen partner for what felt like forever. Watching her navigate that grief—both as Marlena and as a real-life friend—reminded everyone just how long she’s been our "Doc."
People see her on screen looking radiant and think, Wait, there’s no way she’s nearly 80. But the math doesn't lie:
- Born: October 31, 1947
- Current Age (Early 2026): 78
- Upcoming Milestone: 79 on Halloween 2026
Retirement? Don't Bet On It
You might think someone who has been working since the 1970s would be looking for the nearest exit and a comfortable chair on a beach. Not Deidre. She’s famously quoted as saying, "You'll have to drag me out of there."
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In a recent chat with Woman’s World late last year, she basically shut down any rumors that she was hanging up the lab coat. She finds the set "replenishing." It's her home. She raised her two sons, David and Tully, on those soundstages. To her, age is just a number that occasionally appears in a script, not a reason to stop doing what she loves.
The Twin Factor
Did you know she has an identical twin sister? Andrea Hall.
Back in the day, Andrea actually played Marlena’s twin, Samantha Evans, and later Hattie Adams. Seeing them together on screen always messed with people's heads. Andrea is, of course, the same age, and seeing the two of them together over the years has been a testament to the family's longevity and poise.
A Career That Defies the Calendar
When we talk about how old is Deidre Hall, we are really talking about her endurance. She wasn't just a soap star. Before Salem, she was Electra Woman in Electra Woman and Dyna Girl. She was on Emergency! and The Young and the Restless.
In the mid-80s, she did something pretty unheard of at the time: she starred in a primetime show, Our House, while still appearing on Days. She was working double shifts in two different worlds. That kind of stamina is rare, regardless of whether you're 28 or 78.
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Real Talk on Aging in Hollywood
Hall hasn't been shy about the "work" involved in staying TV-ready. She wrote a beauty book called How Does She Do It? where she pokes fun at the hours spent in the makeup chair.
She’s also been a massive advocate for health issues. She co-wrote a cookbook for people dealing with heart disease and diabetes. She doesn't just "stay young"; she works at it. She’s also a pioneer in talking about surrogacy, being one of the first major celebrities to be open about her fertility struggles in the early '90s.
What’s Next for Deidre?
Looking ahead into 2026, Marlena Evans isn't going anywhere. While some of her younger co-stars have come and gone (or been recast three times), Hall remains the anchor.
She’s expressed interest in seeing Marlena deal with more "human" struggles. She once joked that Marlena has never really been "sick" unless you count being possessed by the devil. She wants to explore the vulnerability of aging on screen, which is something her fans are eager to see.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Fact-Checkers
If you're following Deidre's journey or just trying to win a trivia night, keep these points in mind:
- Verify the source: Always check the birth year (1947). Some older fan sites still have conflicting dates from the early press-kit days.
- Follow the show: If you want to see her current work, she is exclusive to Peacock now. The move from NBC didn't slow her down one bit.
- Check her philanthropy: She often does calendars and cards where the proceeds go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. It's a great way to support her and a good cause.
- Respect the legacy: She's one of the longest-tenured actors in television history. That's a feat that deserves more than just a passing glance at a birthdate.
At 78, Deidre Hall is proving that "daytime legend" isn't just a title you get for being around a long time—it's something you earn by staying relevant, passionate, and remarkably consistent decade after decade.