Days of Our Lives Eric Winter

If you're a fan of Days of Our Lives, Eric Winter may be a familiar name to you. Even if you aren't familiar with his character on the show, though, you might be surprised to realize that you recognize him anyway!

Eric Winter

Eric Barrett Winter was born in La Mirada, California on July 17, 1976 to Wayne, an investigative business owner, and Gwen, a theatrical fabric company owner. An only child, he spent his early years engaging and excelling in a variety of sports. He attended Los Altos High School in Hacienda Heights and made a name for himself as an outstanding volleyball and football player. In fact, his football prowess led him to a defensive linesman position in the region's annual high school All Star Hall of Fame Game.

After high school, Winter headed to UCLA. At the suggestion of a girlfriend, he began pursuing a modeling career in order to earn some money. As he juggled his schoolwork and earned his psychology degree, he also attended acting workshops and completed high-profile modeling assignments all over the world.

During his modeling stint, Winter appeared in a number of prestigious campaigns, including Tommy Hilfiger, Mitsubishi and 7-Up. Before long, television beckoned and Winter accepted roles in several established programs, such as The Parkers, The Andy Dick Show, Charmed and Profiler.

A successful modeling career and a string of television appearances were just the precursor, though, to the dramatic soap opera role waiting in the wings.

Rex came from outer space...or did he?

The role that really thrust Winter into the spotlight was that of Rex Brady on Days of Our Lives. Rex first appeared on screens on July 8, 2002, when he and his twin sister Cassie arrived during a meteor shower at Lookout Point on a spaceship. These initial scenes were memorable indeed – both characters appeared nearly nude, did not speak english and had lights flashing on their wrists. Mistaken for aliens, the characters were later revealed to be human beings with genetically engineered DNA.

Eventually, it was revealed that the twins were actually the biological children of popular characters Tony and Marlena – but not for long! The truth was that they were the offspring of Roman Brady, a man who Rex hated. Rex's attitude changed gradually over time, and he went from a intellectual and bright to moody, withdrawn and violent. When people began dying all over Salem, Rex quickly became the main suspect.

Through a harrowing sequence of events, Rex eventually left Salem for good on July 26, 2005, after he discovered that his girlfriend Mimi Lockhart aborted their baby without informing him of it.

Even if you've never seen Days of Our Lives, Eric Winter may be a familiar face. That's because he also appeared in the widely publicized television commercial for Britney Spears' fragrance, Curious, in 2004. The sensual commercial depicted a man and woman fantasizing about each other as they stayed in separate rooms in the same hotel.

Of course, the soap hunk is known for more than just these roles. He has appeared on the well-received ABC drama, Brothers and Sisters, as the brother of Senator Robert McCallister (portrayed by Rob Lowe) and the love interest of Kevin Walker (Matthew Rhys). More recently, he co-starred in the USA program, Moonlight, as ADA Benjamin Talbot and appeared as Colton Graham in the feature film Harold and Kumar Escape from Guantanamo Bay.

From 2001 to 2004, Winter was married to actress Allison Ford. He is currently engaged to actress Roselyn Sanchez, who appears in the CBS television series Without a Trace. The couple got engaged while on holiday in Vieques, an island near Puerto Rico. No wedding date or location has been announced yet.

Never leaving his roots far behind, Winter continues to be an avid sportsman. In fact, he spends his spare time playing basketball, snowboarding and hiking. As for the actor's favorite movie, it's that perennial '80s classic, The Breakfast Club.

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