"Days of Our Lives," died today at the age of 87 after a long battle with Alzheimer's disease.

The veteran actor played Stefano, one of the most infamous bad guys in soap opera history, on and off for over 30 years. He also did stints on other soaps, including "The Bold and the Beautiful" and "General Hospital."

Mascolo was born in 1929 in Hartford, Conn. to Italian immigrant parents. He went on to train in classical music, and appeared in stage and movie productions. On television, he also had roles on "All in the Family," "Lou Grant," and "The Rockford Files."

He had a son named Peter with his first, now deceased first wife, Rose Maimone. He married Patricia Schultz in 2005.

"It is with great sorrow that we share the news of the passing of our dear friend and beloved member of the Days of our Lives family, Joseph Mascolo," said Ken Corday, executive producer of "Days of Our Lives," in a statement.

"The smile on Joe's face is something we'd all come to find comfort in, and he will be sorely missed. His larger than life presence, kind heart, and unwavering positivity has impacted us all for decades, and will live on in the memories of his many fans. Our thoughts and prayers go out to his family during this difficult time."

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