He was the guy who literally vanished into thin air. One day Steven Olson is dodging drug dealers in Salem, and the next? He’s gone for forty-five years. No postcard, no phone call, just a gaping hole in the Horton family tree that basically stayed empty until the world changed and Peacock became the show's home.
If you’re a newer fan of Days of Our Lives, the name Steven Olson probably sounds like some obscure trivia answer. But for those of us who grew up with the Hortons, he’s the "bad penny" brother of the legendary Julie Williams. He wasn't just some side character; he was the son of Addie Horton and Ben Olson, making him core royalty in a town that thrives on legacy.
Honestly, his story is kinda wild when you look at how soap operas used to handle exits. Most people get blown up or "die" in a car crash only to show up three years later with a new face. Not Steve. He just ran.
The Roguish Beginnings of Steve Olson
Let’s go back. Way back. Steve Olson first popped up in the mid-sixties, played by Flip Mark. He was just a kid then, eventually shipped off to Europe with his parents. When he finally returned as an adult in the 70s—this time played by Stephen Schnetzer—he wasn't exactly the boy next door.
He was a "charming rogue," which is soap-speak for someone who’s going to break your heart and steal your jewelry in the same afternoon. Schnetzer has even said in recent interviews that Steve was basically the blueprint for Cass Winthrop, the iconic character he later played on Another World.
He was a schmoozer. A manipulator. A guy who worked at Doug’s Coffee House just to skim tips. Imagine being the brother of the town's most prominent woman and spent your Tuesday afternoons stealing nickels from the tip jar. It’s small-time, but it showed exactly who he was.
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Eventually, the stakes got higher. He started selling fake antiques at Julie’s shop. That’s cold, even for Salem. But the real nail in the coffin was a diamond smuggling plot involving a guy named Durand. Steve lost the diamonds. Durand wasn't the "forgive and forget" type. Faced with certain death or at least a very long stay in a hospital bed, Steve fled Salem in 1980.
And then? Silence. For decades.
Why Steven Olson Still Matters to the Horton Legacy
You might wonder why anyone cared about a guy who hadn't been seen since the Carter administration. It’s all about the Horton family history. Steve is the brother of Julie Williams and the half-brother of Hope Brady. That makes him the uncle of Shawn-Douglas, Ciara, and Zack.
In a show that leans so heavily on the "Tom and Alice" legacy, having a direct descendant just... missing... was always a weird loose end. The show would mention him occasionally, but for the most part, it was like the writers forgot he existed.
The Actors Behind the Face
- Flip Mark (1965–1966): The original child version of Steve.
- James Carroll Jordan (1972): A brief stint before the character went back to Paris.
- Stephen Schnetzer (1978–1980, 2024–2025): The definitive Steve Olson.
Schnetzer’s return in late 2024 was a massive deal for long-time viewers. He came back for the memorial of Doug Williams, played by the late, great Bill Hayes. It was a meta-moment, honestly. Schnetzer hadn't been on that set in over 40 years, and neither had Steve.
The reunion between Steve and Julie (Susan Seaforth Hayes) was some of the most authentic television the show has produced in years. You could see the history in their eyes. It wasn't just two actors hitting marks; it was two people who lived through the Golden Age of soaps reconnecting.
What Happened During the 2024 Return?
When Steve finally showed his face in Salem again, he hadn't exactly turned into a saint. He was still a bit "shady," as fans on Reddit and soap forums quickly pointed out.
There was a whole mess involving Alice Horton’s missing necklace. Julie, being Julie, immediately suspected her brother. Can you blame her? The guy's track record involves fake antiques and stolen tips. Steve denied it, got offended, and left again.
But he didn't stay gone for forty years this time. He showed up at the 60th Anniversary Gala, mending fences with his sister and reminding everyone that even the "black sheep" of the Hortons still has a place at the table. Fans have been vocal about wanting him to stay, with some even suggesting he’d be a perfect match for Maggie Kiriakis. Now that would be a power couple.
The Reality of Being a Soap Legacy Character
Playing a character like Steven Olson is a weird gig. You’re part of the show's DNA, but you're also a ghost. Schnetzer has talked about how "awful" he felt he was when he first started, coming from a background in classical theater. He was "projecting to the back wall" while the boom mic was right over his head.
But that's the thing about Days of Our Lives. It’s a training ground. He learned how to act for the camera alongside Bill and Susan, and that chemistry is what made his 2024 return so impactful.
It’s also worth noting the confusion about his age. If you look at the "Days Bible" from 1965, Julie is supposed to be the older sibling. Some fans argue Steve is older. In reality, soap ages are basically suggestions. What matters is the dynamic: Julie is the protective, often judgmental older sister, and Steve is the brother who can never quite get his act together.
What’s Next for Steve Olson?
Is he back for good? Probably not. Schnetzer is based in Florida and seems to enjoy doing limited runs. But the door is wide open now.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the Olson history, there are a few things you should actually do rather than just reading summaries:
- Watch the Doug Williams Memorial Episodes: These aired in late 2024. It’s some of the best legacy work the show has done, and Schnetzer’s performance is a masterclass in "shady but soulful."
- Check out the 60th Anniversary Gala: This is where the modern version of Steve really clicks with the rest of the cast.
- Look for "Another World" Clips: To see where the character of Steve Olson evolved, watch Stephen Schnetzer as Cass Winthrop. You’ll see the same "roguish charmer" energy that started in Salem.
The return of Steven Olson proved that Days of Our Lives hasn't forgotten its roots. He’s a reminder that in Salem, no one is ever truly gone—even if they take a four-decade detour through the drug-smuggling routes of the 1980s. He’s the Horton that stayed human, flaws and all.