Kassie DePaiva
{{Short description|American actress and singer (born 1961)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Kassie DePaiva
| image = WW Chicago 2015 - Evil Dead 18 (21021271936).jpg
| alt =
| caption = DePaiva in 2015
| birth_name = Katherine Virginia Wesley
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1961|03|21}}
| birth_place = Morganfield, Kentucky, U.S.
| occupation = Actress and singer
| alma_mater = Indiana University Bloomington
University of California, Los Angeles
| years_active = 1986–present
| children = 1
| website = {{URL|kassiedepaiva.com}}
| spouse = {{marriage|Richard C. Hankins|1988|1995|reason=divorced}}
{{marriage|James DePaiva| May 31, 1996}}
}}
Katherine Virginia "Kassie" DePaiva (née Wesley; born March 21, 1961){{Cite web |title=About the Actors: Kassie DePaiva |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/depaiva_kassie.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610210526/https://www.soapcentral.com/theactors/depaiva_kassie.php |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 11, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} is an American actress and singer. She is best known for playing the roles of Chelsea Reardon on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light (1986 to 1991), Blair Cramer on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live (1993 to 2013), and Eve Donovan on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives (2014 to 2020, 2023). She received one Daytime Emmy Award nomination for her role on One Life to Live and two nominations for her role on Days Of Our Lives. DePaiva also starred as Bobby Joe in the horror film Evil Dead II (1986). As a singer, she has released three albums, Naked (2000), No Regrets (2005), and I Want to Love You (2007).
Early life
DePaiva was born and raised in Morganfield, Kentucky. Her birth name is Katherine Virginia Wesley. She was named after two of her aunts.{{Cite web |title=The 411: Kassie DePaiva |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/kassie-depaiva/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240228080626/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/actors/kassie-depaiva/ |archive-date=February 28, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} Her father was a lawyer who practiced all types of law because of the small town they lived in.{{Cite journal |last=Davison |first=Valerie |date=March 10, 1998 |title=Heaven & Earth |journal=Soap Opera Weekly |volume=9 |issue=10 |pages=24–26}} DePaiva has two older brothers and one younger sister.{{Cite journal |last=Sloane |first=Alison |date=May 10, 1994 |title=Sitting Pretty |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=19 |issue=10 |pages=38–40}}
In her childhood and teens, she sang in the church choir, participated in school plays, and she was involved in class government. She was voted Most Talented in her high school class. After high school, DePaiva attended Indiana University Bloomington and worked at Opryland USA in Nashville, Tennessee. She made her professional singing debut at the Grand Ole Opry when she was eighteen years old, singing two songs. She then decided to transfer to University of California, Los Angeles to study theater.
Career
=1979-1993: Early work=
While attending UCLA, DePaiva landed her first acting job in a television commercial for Wendy's. She joined a four-part harmony band called Newport. The group performed in the Los Angeles, San Diego, and Las Vegas areas. She dropped out of college to travel with Newport on a USO tour of Japan, Korea, and Okinawa. After returning to the United States, DePaiva became a back up singer for Bobby Womack. She joined him on two U.S. tours and one tour of Great Britain.
Returning to acting, DePaiva (then using her maiden name of Wesley) landed the role of Bobby Joe in Evil Dead II.{{Cite web |last=James |first=Caryn |date=March 13, 1987 |title=Film: 'Evil Dead 2: Dead By Dawn' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/13/movies/film-evil-dead-2-dead-by-dawn.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231216005445/https://www.nytimes.com/1987/03/13/movies/film-evil-dead-2-dead-by-dawn.html |archive-date=December 16, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=The New York Times}} She then joined the cast of the CBS soap opera Guiding Light as Chelsea Reardon, first airing in November 1986. The character was a singer, giving DePaiva the opportunity to perform regularly on the show.{{Cite web |title=Who's Who in Springfield: Chelsea Reardon |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/whoswho/chelsea.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611231634/https://www.soapcentral.com/guiding-light/whoswho/chelsea.php |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} After four years, she decided to leave due to lack of storyline, last airing in January 1991.{{Cite journal |date=January 8, 1991 |title=Kassie Wesley: "Why I'm Leaving Guiding Light" |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=16 |issue=1 |pages=36}}
After leaving Guiding Light, she guest starred in episodes of Time Trax, Melrose Place, and Baywatch. An avid golfer, DePaiva hosted The Pro Shop, a syndicated series about the sport.
=1993-2006: ''One Life to Live''=
DePaiva was cast as Blair Cramer on the ABC soap opera One Life to Live, first airing December 17, 1993. The role had previously been played by Mia Korf, an Asian-American actress.{{Cite journal |date=January 4, 1994 |title=GL Grad is OLTL's New Blair |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=19 |issue=1 |pages=10}} She received a Soap Opera Digest Award nomination for Hottest Actress in 1998 for her role on OLTL.
In 2000, DePaiva released her debut album, Naked. She described the music as being very raw and female-oriented.{{Cite web |date=July 13, 2006 |title=Soap Actress Doubles as Singer in Her Spare Time |url=https://www.courant.com/2006/07/13/soap-actress-doubles-as-singer-in-her-spare-time/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610201207/https://www.courant.com/2006/07/13/soap-actress-doubles-as-singer-in-her-spare-time/ |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=The Hartford Courant}} On February 14, 2002, she and her husband, James DePaiva, starred on stage in A. R. Gurney's Love Letters at Jersey Central Theatre.{{Cite web |title=Jersey Central Theatre Company: Past Productions |url=http://jerseycentraltheatre.com/scrapbook.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230925002728/http://jerseycentraltheatre.com/scrapbook.html |archive-date=September 25, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Jersey Central Theatre}}{{Cite web |title=Love Letters Details |url=http://jerseycentraltheatre.com/loveletters_details.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211021022222/http://jerseycentraltheatre.com/loveletters_details.html |archive-date=October 21, 2021 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Jersey Central Theatre}} In 2005, she released her second album, No Regrets, a collection of pop country songs. She also performed a duet with Jim Brickman on his album, The Disney Songbook, singing "Baby Mine" from Dumbo.
In March 2005, DePaiva received her first Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series for her role on One Life to Live.{{Cite web |last=Bauder |first=David |date=March 3, 2005 |title='All My Children' leads Daytime Emmy nominations with 18 |url=https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/mar/03/all-my-children-leads-daytime-emmy-nominations/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613213447/https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2005/mar/03/all-my-children-leads-daytime-emmy-nominations/ |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=The Spokesman-Review}} She co-starred with Jack Scalia in the short film Exit, written and directed by Jamie Duneier.{{Cite web |last=Starr |first=Michael |date=March 16, 2005 |title=The Starr Report |url=http://nypost.com/2005/03/16/starr-report-916/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131011145615/http://nypost.com/2005/03/16/starr-report-916/ |archive-date=October 11, 2013 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=The New York Post}} She starred in and produced the film Undone (2006), which was directed by her husband, James DePaiva. The film co-starred Heather Tom, Timothy D. Stickney, Forbes March, and Ricky Paull Goldin.{{Cite web |title=One Life to Live's Kassie DePaiva Produces New Film! |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/1951/one-life-to-lives-kassie-depaiva-produces-new-film/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924181325/https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/1951/one-life-to-lives-kassie-depaiva-produces-new-film/ |archive-date=September 24, 2020 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soaps|date=May 29, 2008 }}
In 2006, DePaiva performed the song "Simply Love" on One Life: Many Voices for Hurricane Relief, an album of songs by One Life to Live actors to raise funds for victims of Hurricane Katrina.{{Cite web |title=One Life: Many Voices |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/200/one-life-many-voices/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240806183244/https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/200/one-life-many-voices/ |archive-date=August 6, 2024 |access-date=August 6, 2024 |website=soaps.sheknows.com}} She sang Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on A Holiday Affair, an album of classic holiday songs performed by actors from ABC soap operas. She also performed with the ensemble on the closing track, We Wish You a Merry Christmas. The album was promoted with a Soapnet special, A Very Soapy Christmas.{{Cite web |last=Gans |first=Andrew |date=November 2, 2006 |title=Brier, Goldsberry and Lucci Featured on ABC Daytime CD "A Holiday Affair"; TV Special, Too |url=https://v.playbill.com/article/brier-goldsberry-and-lucci-featured-on-abc-daytime-cd-a-holiday-affair-tv-special-too-com-136035 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615220734/https://v.playbill.com/article/brier-goldsberry-and-lucci-featured-on-abc-daytime-cd-a-holiday-affair-tv-special-too-com-136035 |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=Playbill}}
=2007-2016: ''OLTL'' and ''Days''=
DePaiva released her third album, I Want to Love You, in 2007. She described the album as being more unplugged and bluegrass than her earlier recordings. In 2009, she co-starred with her husband, James DePaiva, in a Time Life infomercial for a CD box set, The Power of Love.{{Cite web |title=One Life to Live's Kassie and James DePaiva For Power of Love! |url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/5052/one-life-to-lives-kassie-and-james-depaiva-for-pow/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610201909/https://soaps.sheknows.com/one-life-to-live/news/5052/one-life-to-lives-kassie-and-james-depaiva-for-pow/ |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soaps|date=November 13, 2009 }}{{Cite web |last=Gore |first=Scotty |date=August 7, 2009 |title=James & Kassie DePaiva Promote the 'Power of Love' |url=https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2009/08/james-kassie-depaiva-promote-the-power-of-love |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923133835/https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2009/08/james-kassie-depaiva-promote-the-power-of-love |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Network}}
File:Kassie DePaiva Fayetteville Dogwood Festival 1994.jpgDePaiva played Blair Cramer on One Life to Live until the final episode aired on ABC in January 2012. That same year, she also made several guest appearances as Blair on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. She then played the role in an online revival of OLTL for several months in 2013.{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=January 11, 2012 |title=One Life to Live characters headed to Port Charles |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/general-hospital/news/2012/0111-oltlcrossovers.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231202214934/https://www.soapcentral.com/general-hospital/news/2012/0111-oltlcrossovers.php |archive-date=December 2, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=January 22, 2013 |title=Prospect Park confirms stars signed for OLTL relaunch |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/one-life-to-live/news/2013/0122-castannouncement.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603015012/https://www.soapcentral.com/one-life-to-live/news/2013/0122-castannouncement.php |archive-date=June 3, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} DePaiva played Emma Parker in the thriller film We Are What We Are in 2013. She co-starred with Julia Garner and Ambyr Childers.{{Cite web |last=Rooney |first=David |date=January 26, 2013 |title=We Are What We Are: Sundance Review |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/we-are-what-we-are-415662/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230514103015/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/we-are-what-we-are-415662/ |archive-date=May 14, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=The Hollywood Reporter}} In May 2013, she co-starred with her husband, James DePaiva, in the musical 110 in the Shade at the Community School of Naples.{{Cite web |date=April 25, 2013 |title=Soap stars step into TheatreZone spotlight |url=https://naples.floridaweekly.com/articles/soap-stars-step-into-theatrezone-spotlight/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611175841/https://naples.floridaweekly.com/articles/soap-stars-step-into-theatrezone-spotlight/ |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Florida Weekly}}
In January 2014, Soap Opera Digest announced that DePaiva had joined the cast of the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives as Eve Donovan. The role had previously been played by Charlotte Ross, who left the show in 1991. DePaiva's first airdate was June 18, 2014.{{cite web |date=January 24, 2014 |title=Kassie DePaiva Joins Days |url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kassie-depaiva-joins-days |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019192802/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kassie-depaiva-joins-days/ |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}{{cite web |last=Lewis |first=Errol |date=January 24, 2014 |title=Rumor No More: Kassie DePaiva Joins 'Days' |url=http://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2014/01/rumor-no-more-kassie-depaiva-joins-days |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240229163957/https://www.soapoperanetwork.com/2014/01/rumor-no-more-kassie-depaiva-joins-days |archive-date=February 29, 2024 |access-date=January 24, 2014 |work=Soap Opera Network}}{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=January 24, 2014 |title=OLTL fave Kassie DePaiva joins Days |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2014/0122-depaiva.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230201161241/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2014/0122-depaiva.php |archive-date=February 1, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} In September 2015, DePaiva announced that she would be leaving Days of Our Lives. Her final airdate was February 2, 2016.{{Cite web |last1=Kroll |first1=Dan J. |last2=Clifford |first2=Kambra |date=September 20, 2015 |title=Kassie DePaiva confirms her exit from Days |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2015/0917-depaiva_exit.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230127015221/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2015/0917-depaiva_exit.php |archive-date=January 27, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Kambra |date=January 19, 2016 |title=Kassie DePaiva reveals final Days airdate |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2016/0119-depaiva_exit.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605170239/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2016/0119-depaiva_exit.php |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} She received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Lead Actress in 2016 for her role on Days.{{Cite web |date=May 1, 2016 |title=Daytime Emmy Winners: Complete List |url=https://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/daytime-emmys-2016-winners-list-1201764240/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221030214218/https://variety.com/2016/tv/awards/daytime-emmys-2016-winners-list-1201764240/ |archive-date=October 30, 2022 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Variety}} DePaiva made a return appearance to Days, airing on December 9, 2016.{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Kambra |date=November 28, 2016 |title=Confirmed: Kassie DePaiva returns to Days next month |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2016/1128-kassie_depaiva_december.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211129202427/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2016/1128-kassie_depaiva_december.php |archive-date=November 29, 2021 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}
= 2016-present =
In 2016, DePaiva made a guest appearance on Castle, alongside her former One Life to Live co-stars Tuc Watkins and Darlene Vogel. She had worked with the star of the series, Nathan Fillion, when he was a cast member on OLTL in the 1990s.{{Cite web |last=Webb Mitovich |first=Matt |date=November 6, 2015 |title=Castle Hosts OLTL Reunion With Guest Stars Kassie DePaiva, Tuc Watkins |url=https://tvline.com/casting-news/castle-season-8-cast-oltl-kassie-depaiva-tuc-watkins-reunion-656760/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614204626/https://tvline.com/casting-news/castle-season-8-cast-oltl-kassie-depaiva-tuc-watkins-reunion-656760/ |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=TV Line}}
She returned to Days of Our Lives as Eve Donovan, first airing on October 27, 2017.{{Cite web |date=October 27, 2017 |title=Kassie DePaiva Dishes Days Return |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kassie-depaiva-dishes-days-return/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009205109/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/kassie-depaiva-dishes-days-return/ |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}{{Cite web |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |date=October 7, 2017 |title=Kassie DePaiva returns to Days of our Lives this month |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2017/1007-kassie_depaiva_days_return_date.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605170157/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2017/1007-kassie_depaiva_days_return_date.php |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} She briefly left the show in October 2018 and returned in December of that year. She once again left the show in December 2019.{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Kambra |date=December 20, 2019 |title=Kassie DePaiva exits Days of our Lives, shares goodbye to fans on social media |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2019/1220-kassie_depaiva_exits_days.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230605180907/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2019/1220-kassie_depaiva_exits_days.php |archive-date=June 5, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}} DePaiva received a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in 2019 for her role on Days.{{Cite web |last=Turchiano |first=Danielle |date=March 20, 2019 |title=2019 Daytime Emmy Nominees Announced |url=https://variety.com/2019/tv/awards/daytime-emmy-nominees-2019-days-of-our-lives-general-hospital-young-and-the-restless-1203167846/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230531103610/https://variety.com/2019/tv/awards/daytime-emmy-nominees-2019-days-of-our-lives-general-hospital-young-and-the-restless-1203167846/ |archive-date=May 31, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Variety}} She returned to the show for a few months in 2020.{{Cite web |last=Clifford |first=Kambra |date=August 28, 2020 |title=Kassie DePaiva wraps her Days of our Lives run, thanks fans for taking the "bumpy ride" |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2020/0828-kassie_depaiva_exits_days.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221216064222/https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2020/0828-kassie_depaiva_exits_days.php |archive-date=December 16, 2022 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}
She appeared in the film Killian & the Comeback Kids in 2020, playing the wife of Nathan Purdee, her former One Life to Live co-star. The film was completed in 2018.{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Rudy |date=August 30, 2017 |title=Find out how to get on screen in an independent movie |url=https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/2017/08/find_out_how_to_get_on_screen.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009204913/https://www.lehighvalleylive.com/easton/2017/08/find_out_how_to_get_on_screen.html |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=lehighvalleylive.com}}{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2018 |title=Soap Vets Star In New Film |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/soap-vets-star-new-film/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009205447/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/soap-vets-star-new-film/ |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} She co-starred with Wally Kurth in the short film Common as Red Hair in 2022.{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Sherrie |date=May 1, 2024 |title=Days/GH star Wally Kurth tackles difficult subject in new film |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/days-gh-star-wally-kurth-tackles-difficult-subject-in-new-film/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240506040120/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/days-gh-star-wally-kurth-tackles-difficult-subject-in-new-film/ |archive-date=May 6, 2024 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} DePaiva made return appearances to General Hospital as Blair Cramer and Days of Our Lives as Eve Donovan in 2023.{{Cite web |last=Masters |first=Liz |date=September 15, 2023 |title=Kassie DePaiva shares details of her return to daytime and reuniting with old friends and co-stars |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/general-hospital/news/2023/0915-kassie-depaiva-shares-details-of-return-to-daytime-and-reuniting-with-old-friends.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231208122154/https://www.soapcentral.com/general-hospital/news/2023/0915-kassie-depaiva-shares-details-of-return-to-daytime-and-reuniting-with-old-friends.php |archive-date=December 8, 2023 |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=Soap Central}}{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Tanya |date=Aug 30, 2023 |title=Daytime Alum Kassie DePaiva Brings Blair Cramer To Port Charles! |url=https://www.soapoperaspy.com/2023/general-hospital-spoilers-daytime-alum-kassie-depaiva-brings-blair-cramer-to-port-charles/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009205549/https://www.soapoperaspy.com/2023/general-hospital-spoilers-daytime-alum-kassie-depaiva-brings-blair-cramer-to-port-charles/ |archive-date=October 9, 2023 |access-date=June 13, 2024 |website=soapoperaspy.com}}
Personal life
In the 1980s, she dated Sam Raimi, who directed her in Evil Dead II. He moved to New York with her in 1986, when she was cast on Guiding Light, and they lived together for four months.
She married Richard C. Hankins, Guiding Light's art director, on September 10, 1988.{{Cite journal |date=March 21, 1989 |title=Stars' Real-Life Weddings |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=14 |issue=6}} They divorced in 1995.
DePaiva (then known by her maiden name, Kassie Wesley), first met James DePaiva in the late 1980s at the Whaler Bar in New York, where she was singing. They didn't see each other again until 1993, when she was cast as his love interest, Blair Cramer, on One Life to Live.{{Cite journal |date=February 9, 1999 |title=Playing By Heart |journal=Soap Opera Digest |volume=24 |issue=3}} They were married on May 31, 1996, at the courthouse in her hometown, Morganfield, Kentucky. Kassie has said that she scheduled her wedding in between a dentist appointment and a golf game. They had a more formal ceremony in June 1996 at their home in the Catskills. The second wedding included James' daughter from his previous marriage, who was four years old at the time.{{Cite journal |date=February 10, 1997 |title=As the Bells Ring |journal=People |volume=23 |pages=143}}
The DePaivas have one child together, son James Quentin (J. Q.) DePaiva, who was born on May 12, 1997. When he was twelve months old, they learned that he had been born with an enlarged vestibular aqueduct, an inner-ear abnormality causing him to be completely deaf.{{Cite web |last=Bernstein |first=Joshua M. |date=March 4, 2007 |title=Silent struggle: Soap actress helps battle hearing loss |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2007/03/04/silent-struggle-soap-actress-helps-battle-hearing-loss/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240615181701/https://www.nydailynews.com/2007/03/04/silent-struggle-soap-actress-helps-battle-hearing-loss/ |archive-date=June 15, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=The New York Daily News}} He received his first cochlear implant at eighteen months old and his second at eight years old.{{Cite web |last=Hoffman |first=Barbara |date=October 24, 2000 |title=A Fate Worse Than Deaf? - Controversy Over 'Miracle' Ear Devices |url=https://nypost.com/2000/10/24/a-fate-worse-than-deaf-controversy-over-miracle-ear-devices/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413204453/https://nypost.com/2000/10/24/a-fate-worse-than-deaf-controversy-over-miracle-ear-devices/ |archive-date=April 13, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=The New York Post}} In 2007, J.Q. had a recurring role on All My Children as Jason. His character appeared on Erica Kane's talk show to help her daughter, Kendall, deal with the hearing loss of her son, Spike.{{Cite web |date=September 4, 2007 |title=JQ DePaiva's Acting Debut |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jq-depaivas-acting-debut-0/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240610204939/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/jq-depaivas-acting-debut-0/ |archive-date=June 10, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}}
DePaiva is a board member and fund raiser for the League for the Hard of Hearing, a non profit that aids deaf people and their families. She has crocheted a line of hats, called "Happy Hats", and sold them online, donating the profits to deaf charities. She has also lobbied congress to make hearing tests mandatory for newborns in all fifty states.
In August 2016, DePaiva announced that she had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia the month prior.{{Cite web |last=Sblendorio |first=Peter |date=2016-08-25 |title=Soap opera star Kassie DePaiva battling leukemia: 'I consider this just a bump in the road' |url=https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/08/25/soap-opera-star-kassie-depaiva-battling-leukemia-i-consider-this-just-a-bump-in-the-road/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019195440/https://www.nydailynews.com/2016/08/25/soap-opera-star-kassie-depaiva-battling-leukemia-i-consider-this-just-a-bump-in-the-road/ |archive-date=October 19, 2023 |access-date=2024-06-13 |website=New York Daily News |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |date=May 17, 2017 |title=ICYMI Kassie DePaiva Interview |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-kassie-depaiva-interview/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191001100547/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/icymi-kassie-depaiva-interview/ |archive-date=October 1, 2019 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=Soap Opera Digest}} In September 2023, she announced that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer a year after beginning treatment for leukemia. She is now cancer free.{{Cite web |last=Speakman |first=Kimberlee |date=September 16, 2023 |title=Soap Star Kassie DePaiva Reveals She Was Diagnosed with Breast Cancer Shortly After Battle with Leukemia |url=https://people.com/kassie-depaiva-reveals-she-was-also-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-7970803 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240320172346/https://people.com/kassie-depaiva-reveals-she-was-also-diagnosed-with-breast-cancer-7970803 |archive-date=March 20, 2024 |access-date=June 15, 2024 |website=People}}
Filmography
= Film =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1986
|Bobby Joe |Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| 2005
|Exit |Andie |Short film |
| 2006
|Undone | |Also producer |
| 2008
|The Story of Your Life |Red Sauce | |
| 2013
|Emma Parker | |
| 2020
|Mrs. Raison | |
| 2022
|Common as Red Hair |Carol |Short film |
= Television =
| class="wikitable"
|+ !Year !Title !Role !Notes |
| 1986-1991
|Chelsea Reardon |Contract role: October 27, 1986 - January 25, 1991 Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| 1993-2012; 2013
|Contract role: December 17, 1993 - January 13, 2012; April 29 - August 19, 2013 Sometimes credited as Kassie Wesley and Kassie Wesley DePaiva |
| rowspan="2"|1993
|The Pro Shop |Herself (Host) |Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| Time Trax
|Caitlin Carlisle |Episode: "Beautiful Songbird" Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| rowspan="2"|1994
|Betty Benson-Chappell |Episode: "Reunion Blues" Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| Baywatch
|Crystal Harris |Episode: "Western Exposure" Credited as Kassie Wesley |
| 2012; 2023
|Blair Cramer |Recurring role: March 2, 2012 - December 3, 2012; September 15, 2023 |
| 2014-2020; 2023
|Eve Donovan |Contract role; Recurring role: June 18, 2014 – February 2, 2016; September 8 – October 4, 2016; December 9, 2016 – December 12, 2016; October 27, 2017 – December 24, 2019; July 30, 2020 – September 25, 2020; 2023 |
| 2016
|Joanna Masters |Episode: "Witness for the Prosecution" |
Discography
=Albums=
- Naked (2000)
- No Regrets (2005)
- I Want to Love You (2007)
=Other appearances=
- "Baby Mine" on Jim Brickman's The Disney Songbook. (2005)
- "Simply Love" on One Life: Many Voices for Hurricane Relief (2006)
- "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on ABC daytime's A Holiday Affair. (2006)
- "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" (Ensemble) on ABC daytime's A Holiday Affair. (2006)
Awards and nominations
See also
References
{{Reflist|30em}}
External links
{{Commons}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{IMDb name|0219990}}
- {{Discogs artist}}
{{Portal bar|Biography|United States|Kentucky|Film|Television}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Depaiva, Kassie}}
Category:20th-century American actresses
Category:21st-century American actresses
Category:Actresses from Kentucky
Category:American film actresses
Category:American soap opera actresses
Category:American women country singers
Category:American country singer-songwriters
Category:People from Morganfield, Kentucky
Category:Country musicians from Kentucky
Category:Singer-songwriters from Kentucky
Category:Kentucky women musicians
Category:Singers from Kentucky