Joseph Mascolo, who portrays the powerful Stefano DiMera on "Days of Our Lives", joined the cast in October 1982. In 1997, Mascolo won the Soap Opera Digest Award as Outstanding Villain for his work. 

He has also guest-starred on numerous primetime programs, including "The Equalizer", "Hunter", "Hill Street Blues", "Blood Feud", "Crazy Like a Fox", "Ernie Kovacs: Between the Laughter", "Dominic's Dream", "The Incredible Hulk", "Gangster Chronicles, Part II" and "The Golden Girls". He appeared in the feature films "Heat", "Jaws II", "Shaft's Big Score" and "Happy Mother's Day, Love George". Mascolo has starred in stage productions of "Marvin and Mel", "Born Yesterday", "A View from the Bridge" and "That Champion Season". He is an accomplished clarinetist as well. He played for the Metropolitan Opera in New York City for two years, and he was in the United States Military Academy Band at West Point. 

Mascolo is a native of West Hartford, Connecticut, and he has one son. In his time away rom the studios, Mascolo enjoys decorating his home, gardening, horseback riding and playing tennis for various charities. He has been involved with the Sunnydale School for handicapped children and adults in Ocilla, Georgia, where a street was named after him in appreciation. His birthday is March 13.