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Arianne Zucker portrayed Nicole Walker on Days of Our Lives for over 25 years. Introduced in February 1998, Nicole began as a scheming waitress. She gained notoriety as a former adult‑entertainment actress, gold‑digger, and cunning businesswoman whose tumultuous love life became the hallmark of many of Salem’s storylines.
Over time, Nicole matured into a nuanced character. She was a devoted mother to Holly and Jude and was intertwined with multiple core families. Zucker filmed her final episodes in January 2024 following a claimed wrongful termination linked to her s*xual‑harassment lawsuit against producers over conduct by Albert Alarr. Nicole’s exit aired on July 29, 2024, as she departed Salem for Paris with Eric and baby Jude.
Arianne Zucker played Nicole Walker on Days of Our Lives
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Nicole Walker, portrayed by Arianne Zucker, made her Days of Our Lives debut in 1998 as an overworked waitress with dreams of becoming a model. With help from Eric Brady, she landed a Bella magazine cover. Her troubled past was soon revealed, including an abusive ex and her father forcing her into pornography.
Early in her run, Nicole became entangled in multiple romantic and manipulative schemes. Her marriages to Lucas Roberts and Victor Kiriakis, and rivalries with Sami Brady and Kate Roberts, formed the core of her relationships.
In an interview with Soap Opera Digest on July 19, 2017, Arianne commented on Nicole and Sami's dynamic.
"There’s just nothing like Nicole and Sami’s relationship. And we laughed. We’re saying these things to each other and then we laugh at them because we’re like, ‘How old are we now? We’re women and we’re still doing the same things?’ We enjoy that part of these characters very much. It was a lot of fun," she said.
Throughout the years, Nicole's storylines became darker and more dramatic. She had fake pregnancies, a baby switched, and spent time in prison as a result of her schemes. She experienced several miscarriages, mourned the loss of her fiancé Daniel Jonas, and battled for custody of daughter Holly.
Nicole also endured blackmail, impersonation by Kristen DiMera, and an assumed death. She later returned to Salem and rebuilt her life, ultimately reuniting with Eric. In 2020 (aired in 2021), after 23 years of on-and-off romance, Nicole and Eric married.
Though their relationship was later strained by more secrets and baby switches, she remained present on the show. Nicole exited Days of Our Lives in July 2024, leaving Salem to start a new life in Paris with Eric Brady and their son, Jude.
About Arianne Zucker
Arianne Zucker (born June 3, 1974, in Northridge, CA) is an American model-turned-actress best known for her role as Nicole Walker on Days of Our Lives (1998–2024). She began modeling at 16, earning international campaigns and national commercials for brands like Mazda and McDonald’s.
She has appeared in films including Looking for Bobby D (2001), The Last Resort (2009), and several TV movies, Mommy Be Mine, Babysitter’s Nightmare, Killer Assistant, and A Mermaid for Christmas. She is also a three-time Daytime Emmy nominee and one Soap Opera Digest Award winner.
She co-founded ArrowHeart Adventure Camps and runs the Chandelier Succulent Company. Married to Days alum Shawn Christian since August 2024, Zucker continues acting, coaching, and philanthropic work.
Stay tuned for more updates on Days of Our Lives.
