Julie on How She Transformed from ‘Super Fan’ to Soap Opera Icon!
Julie Dove has made quite an impact on Days of Our Lives with her portrayal of Connie Villinski. The character had a lowkey start in Salem, only to later become a major force. Yep, Connie gained prominence once it was revealed she was behind Li Shin’s (Remington Hoffman) death. Dove, who’s herself a DOOL “superfan,” recently addressed the misconceptions surrounding her role. Read on to get the full scoop.
Dove Reveals the Real Story Behind Her DAYS Role
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest, the Days of Our Lives star spilled the beans contrary to popular belief. It turns out Dove didn’t land her part through a contest or sheer luck. She’s a trained actress with a formal education and extensive experience in the industry. Dove earned a BA and MA in theatre from East Texas State University.
Moreover, she further honed her comedy skills at The Groundlings and The Second City Los Angeles. Her acting credits include roles in Happy Endings, The Office, and Angie Tribeca. The DAYS star’s passion for acting began in her youth, particularly in soap operas. How? She was growing up during the height of soap opera popularity.
It was natural for her to dream about becoming a soap star, and she pursued acting during college. However, the fear of leaving her home state of Texas held her back from fully committing to her dream. Instead, she became a drama teacher, but while working in Nashville’s music industry, a revelation struck her. What was it?
Helping others achieve their creative goals reminded her of her own unfulfilled dreams. Subsequently, it finally led her to take the plunge into acting. After her second divorce, Julie decided to pursue her passion fully. She moved to Los Angeles in December 2001 with a dream to make it as an actress. Over the years, she took on various jobs to support herself.
These include working as a nanny for the daughter of GH’s Casting Director, Mark Teschner. Though she auditioned for the ABC soap, nothing materialized, but her connection with Teschner remained strong. Dove’s journey to DOOL wasn’t immediate. Unfortunately, her first appearance on the show alongside Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and Marci Miller (ex-Abigail) in 2021 was cut.
However, her deep love for the show caught the attention of former Head Writer Ron Carlivati. He eventually brought her back as a client of Sloan Petersen (Jessica Serfaty) in 2023. This role marked Dove’s official entry into Salem, where her character, Connie Villinski, continues to stir the pot. Stay tuned to Soap Opera Daily for more Days of Our Lives celeb updates! What do you think about Julie’s performance? Tell us in the comments.
