Kristian Alfonso was cast as ingenue Hope Williams on Days of Our Lives in 1983. Though she’s left the show at points to pursue other endeavors, she’s always returned to continue her iconic role. Alfonso has also been on television shows such as Falcon Crest, Full House, Melrose Place, Baywatch, and MacGyver over the course of her career. From winning a gold medal to her passion outside of acting, here are five fast facts about the Days of Our Lives star.

In The Beginning
Alfonso was born on September 5 and raised in Brockton, Massachusetts. She is Italian-American, as her grandparents came to the USA from Italy. She graduated from Brockton High School and began working as a model before pursuing acting full-time.