Deidre Hall Slaps Craig Melvin Live on TV

Deidre Hall 'slapped'  during a live TV interview on the Today show, but it was done all in jest.

The Days of Our Lives legend, who has played Marlena Evans on the daytime soap opera for decades, was merely mimicking her character's dramatic slap when pushed to the limit by friends and foes.

Hall, 78 - who recently - visited Today on Friday to celebrate 50 years on the long-running show famous for its dramatic twists, romantic liaisons and family clashes in the fictional Midwestern town of Salem.

During the segment, Melvin brought up her reputation among fans – and talk show hosts, it would seem – for being one of the best 'slappers' in soap opera history.

'Of all of the storylines that you've been a part of over the years, what I've always enjoyed is your ability to slap. You're a great slapper,' Melvin complimented the actress.

'Well, thanks,' Hall responded in a good-humored way.

While Hall 'couldn’t begin to imagine' how many people she's slapped on the show, the central and manipulative characters John Black (played by the late Drake Hogestyn, who died in September 2024), Andre DiMera (played by Thaao Penghlis) and Kristen DiMera (alternately played by Eileen Davidson and Stacy Haiduk), have been frequent recipients of Marlena's legendary slap, along with Marlena's own children.

Hall's invitation to Oscar nominee Ryan Gosling was also mentioned on Friday