Proving that villains never die, Thaao Penghlis gave the good citizens of Salem a shock when he triumphantly reprised the role of Andre DiMera, the new patriarch of the evil DiMera empire on NBC’s “Days of our Lives.” He has portrayed Andre DiMera on and off since 1983.

Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, to Greek-born parents, Penghlis decided to move to New York City to study art history and fashion after high school. After meeting legendary acting coach and theater director Milton Katselas, Penghlis worked as his assistant for nearly a decade while appearing in his stage productions. He first appeared on the New York stage in Katselas' critically acclaimed off-Broadway debut "Jockeys."

Penghlis has appeared in the films "Slow Dancing in the Big City" and "Altered States" and had the unique experience of portraying Dame Edna's lover in the cult classic "Les Patterson Saves the World." Penghlis' move to television came on ABC's daytime drama "General Hospital" as devious Victor Cassadine. Other television roles for Penghlis included starring on the primetime series revival of "Mission: Impossible," as well as playing a terrorist in the television movie "Under Siege." Penghlis also starred in several miniseries, including "Sadat," Sidney Sheldon's "Memories of Midnight" and "Tribe" with Antonio Sabato Jr. and Joanna Cassidy.