Thaao Penghlis is an Australian actor known for his significant role in the television series “Days of Our Lives” and “General Hospital”. Over the course of more than four decades, he has portrayed the characters Tony DiMera and his impersonator Andre DiMera, captivating audiences with plot twists and fiery emotions. Penghlis is also known for portraying Victor Cassadine on GH. His talents extend beyond acting, as he is also recognized as a traveler, podcaster, and writer, celebrated for his book “Seducing Celebrities One Meal at a Time.”

Soap Opera News had the distinct pleasure of interviewing the legendary actor, who shared insights on writing, acting, traveling, and much more. Check it out below!

Thaao Penghlis was asked what inspired him to write it. He shared that during his visit to Havana, he went to a restaurant called La Guarida. The restaurant had diverse furnishings collected from around the streets of Havana. Thaao remembered passing a wall with photographs of celebrities who had eaten there, and he was fascinated by the food they had eaten. This experience led him to realize that food was a seduction and a way to bring the best out of people by making it appealing and creating the right atmosphere. Thaao was inspired by the way food was presented in New York homes of extraordinary people such as Robert Redford, Harold Prince and more. Thaao’s experience of seducing celebrities with food was not limited to his work but also extended to his home where he
hosted great parties for celebrities.

Thaao Penghlis will be having a book signing this month.

“Well, you know, I’ve never had a chance to talk about this book. My first book was called Places: The Journey of My Days, My Lives. I did two one-man shows on those stories. And I didn’t realize how much I enjoyed storytelling. And what does a storyteller do? He embraces an audience by telling them tales that increase their insights, about the things they didn’t know. Or if they did, there’s a new interpretation on that story. I mean, many people have been to Egypt, but my experiences have been different because of what I chose to explore the dangers that resulted from that journey.”

Thaao explains, “because there are a lot of couch travelers in this world, who live through other people’s stories and other people’s lives, how does your life captivate them? That’s what I hope will happen when I share my experiences through my choice of cuisine and how I personally embraced the stars I chose for this cookbook. It had to be different. So, it’ll be a chance, after I spent six months writing this book to speak to a live audience and that I’m looking forward to doing on the 22nd of May at Barnes and Noble at The Grove in Los Angeles.”

You have authored another book, “The Journey of My Days, My Lives.” Given your background as an actor, I’m curious about how your creative process varies between writing and performing. What sets
apart your approach to writing from your approach to performing?

“I learned a great lesson. Firstly, I was a performer before I was a writer. But I found that by writing, it added another muscle to my being, one I had never thought of before. Writing adds a different gravitas when the word come from you. Because then the language has a new muscle, a memory. While I have previously conveyed other
people’s words in theater, television, or film, they were never truly mine. Through the exploration of language and writing, I have uncovered a new gravitas in my acting that allows me to play with language that lands differently from before.”

So, do you have any plans for future writing projects? Tell us about your podcast.

“The podcast is a new thing. It took me a couple of years in between takes on Days to write that. When I did the third part about the Ulysses story, it was different. All the others, I had explored and had physically been there, but not where the story of Ulysses took place. So I flew there and met with the archaeologists and geologists. They told me about what they had discovered recently and where the real island of Ulysses Ithaca lies. Walking through it, I realized what a difference it makes. There are different ways to strengthen and interpret my ideas, just like with food. You explore a recipe, and through the years it
becomes better because you understand the cuisine better. I see the same thing with language. It all emanates its own truth. Life is too short, and I’ve realized many things that have shaped who I am. I’ve had a great life, well-lived. Now, I’ve finished a beautiful biblical story and am now onto something else, hoping it will find itself in the proper
hands and that moves it forward. When I have time off, I’m off collecting new evidence while traveling. Learning about other people’s cultures expands my own.”

So are there other places that you haven’t been to yet that you really want to get to explore?

“Yes, I recently got my Australian passport. I had a conversation with two Persian Jews who asked about Israel. It made me think about the control and limitations imposed on people’s lives and beliefs. I love Israel and Syria, but I’m not happy with the situation in China. I dislike communism and bullying. I find China’s history fascinating, but I’m
apprehensive about visiting certain places due to potential dangers. I’d like to explore Russia with its rich history and cultural treasures, like the stolen Schliemann’s treasure in the Pushkin Museum.”

What advice would you offer to aspiring actors and writers based on your own experiences?

Well, I believe traveling is one of the best ways to learn because it allows you to become more open-minded by experiencing other cultures. I think writing essays or stories is important because when you write things down, you gain a better understanding of the
language you are using, whether it’s for a movie, a play, or just everyday life. For me, it’s about gaining life experiences because that’s what we are interpreting and studying. You have to learn to use your emotions and work with them, be around other actors, and create an atmosphere of creativity. No matter what profession you choose, it takes time to learn and discover life’s secrets and essences. Then you have to channel it by expressing it in your way. You can’t just stand by a painting and say, “Oh, I can paint,” because that’s not meaningful. It leads to shallow performances, attracting shallow people, and people who are afraid to explore life deeply.”

We’ve only briefly touched on the podcast, as you’ve had the chance to embody a wide range of characters, perhaps even villainous ones, on both iconic soap operas, can we talk about that?

“I never think I’m just a villain. I think I’m being diabolical. I don’t think Trump sees himself as a villain today. It’s all open to interpretation. For me, you have to find the humor. If you want to play the bad guy and succeed, you have to make the audience want to know you and get inside your mind and spirit. How do you do that? I can’t just play the villain. Like one woman said to me, “I love hating you.” So I thought, well, I’m doing my job because it’s affecting them. You’ve got to add these elements to the characters you’re playing in order to keep them alive. I think that’s why the characters have survived for so long. But
this time around, I’m meant to do other things now. You know, I’m moving on. Sometimes you have to be pushed out of the door in order to refresh yourself. Out create them.”

By that, do you mean that you’re moving on from the soap world or you’re moving on from acting in general?

“No, I’m leaving the soap world. There are changes happening that I can’t discuss right now. It feels like it’s coming from somewhere else, maybe with a different writer. When people start taking you for granted, you change. I love where I am now. It’s a sort of
awakening.”

We will miss Andre, Tony, and Victor. The character you played will definitely leave a mark on the fans who care, especially if there’s no real closure. Disappearing without a proper ending will have a
significant impact.

“You know, I think it’s important to be true to yourself. When you leave something behind, it can feel like a big change. It’s like letting go of the familiar and venturing into something new. And when you return, it’s not the same as before. The fans may not be happy, but at the end of the day, creators need to follow their own path. Our audience has grown older, and they have remained loyal to the show. They’re the ones who continue to support us. As a writer, it’s essential to draw from personal experiences. I’ve had a fulfilling journey, and I’m excited to see what’s next. After over 40 years, I’ve realized that some friendships in this industry are quite shallow. It’s rare to find meaningful connections. I treasure the few relationships that resonate with me. It’s been an awakening for me. I recently had a
realization about the lack of genuine support from many people in the industry. Despite this, I continue to support others, but the same isn’t reciprocated. It’s a self-serving environment, and I’ve come to accept this truth. While I cherish my time on the show, my life has taken a different path now.”

So we have definitely seen the last of you on the show already?

Yes. The fans really like Anna and Tony because they bring humor, charm, and romance to the show. People love seeing long-term relationships like Bill and Susan Hayes. But things are changing with new characters and budget constraints. Some characters are not
there any more. It’s time to move on and appreciate the time that’s been spent.”

In conclusion, We are eager to convey any message you would like to share with your fans. Is there a specific message you wish to deliver?

“At this stage, the support from people has been important. Their questions about our plan and their appreciation means a lot. I’m grateful for being able to entertain for so many years. Even when I wasn’t there, I still felt connected. The character I played was
enigmatic, and people never knew what to expect next. I always strived to fulfil myself as a person so I could support the character without making it routine. Even the clothes were part of it all. I loved that it was embraced and appreciated. The fans who have been there
throughout the years mean a lot to me. I’m really thankful.”

Soap Opera News expresses its gratitude to Thaao Penghlis for sparing his time to chat with us.

Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Join our DAYS group for all the latest breaking news. Get Days of our Lives spoilers, and recaps and interact with numerous DAYS fans across the globe. Soap Opera News is your number 1 source for all things soap operas.