She’s best known for portraying Kristen Blake—and also the memorable alias Susan Banks—on the long-running soap opera Days of Our Lives. That role really put her on the map, and fans couldn’t get enough of her dramatic turns. In 2014, she made a splash by joining the reality TV series The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills, bringing her charisma and flair to a whole new audience. Before all the fame, though, she started out as a model, landing gigs in commercials and building her presence in the entertainment world. She married her third husband, Vince Van Patten, back in 2003—a significant year not just for love but also for family, since they welcomed their son, Jesse, in the same year. It’s been quite a journey, and through it all, she’s remained a compelling figure in the spotlight.
She began her journey in the entertainment industry back in 1982, making her debut on the popular soap opera The Young and the Restless. It was there that she took on the role of Ashley Abbott, a character that would mark the start of a remarkable career. Her portrayal quickly gained attention, and she became a familiar face to fans of the show. Over time, she built a strong reputation, all starting from that pivotal moment when she stepped into the world of daytime drama as Ashley Abbott.