NBC.com

After a 16-year absence, Stephen Nichols returns to Salem to reprise the role of ever popular "Steve 'Patch' Johnson" on NBC's #1 daytime drama, "Days of our Lives."

After turning down an art scholarship to Ohio State University, Nichols traveled west, studied Yoga and lived preparing meals for the monks and nuns in a Hollywood ashram. He landed at the Theater Academy of Los Angeles City College where he studied for two years and continued with Stella Adler, Jack Colvin and Harry Mastrorgeorge.

Nichols began his acting career in the Los Angeles theatre in the early eighties and has been honored with three Drama-logue and two L.A. Weekly Awards for his performances in such notable productions as "Pieces of Time," "Delirious," and "The Lizard King." He also appeared at LATC in Rick Clutchey's "The Cage," as well as in the award winning production of Michael Cristofer's "The Shadow Box" at Theater East and "Love Letters" during its initial run at the Canon Theater. Most recently Nichols appeared in "He Hunts" at the Geffen Playhouse and was seen in the U.S. premiere of Joe Pintaro's electrifying play "The Dead Boy" for which Nichols received a Maddy Award.

Nichols, one of the most enduring stars of daytime television, was most recently seen as "Stefan Cassadine" on "General Hospital," but is best known for his portrayal of "Steve 'Patch' Johnson" on "Days," a role which earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Actor in a Leading Role and five Soap Opera Digest Best Actor Awards.

Other TV appearances include "Matlock," "L.A. Law," "Diagnosis Murder," "The Nanny," "Second Chances," and "Sisters." He also had a recurring role on "Empty Nest," and played "Jesse James" opposite Pierce Brosnan in the NBC mini-series and "Around the World in 80 Days."

Nichols has also appeared in several feature films, first co-starring with Demi Moore in "Choices." He was also in "Witchboard;" "Soapdish" with Kevin Kline, Whoopi Goldberg and Robert Downey Jr.; "Heaven's Tears;" "Cover Me" with Paul Sorvino; "Phoenix" with Brad Dourif and William Sanderson and the Showtime short, "A Hard Rain" with John Mahoney which earned best film honors at the British Film Festival for director Dennie Gordon.

Nichols has directed several stage productions including, "Sixty Minutes from L.A.," a presentation pilot for television, "Wild Horses" (co-director) and, most recently, wrote and directed the dramatic short film "Get the Dime," starring Daniel Bess and Robert Picardo. Upcoming, Nichols will direct the feature films, "Eau de L.A." and "Fear of Falling." Nichols resides in Los Angeles with his wife and their Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, "Gertie" and her feline siblings, "Mama Kitty" and "Hilo." They have 3 children.