ANSWERS:

1. Lauren Koslow (Kate) graduated with a degree in theater from Virginia State University, where she specialized in costume design. She put the latter talent to work, while working for a summer stock theater group in Virginia. Fashion sense aside, Koslow learned the art of expertly applying eye shadows and lip gloss from her makeup artist hubby, Nick Schillace, who used to work on 90210.

2. Alison Sweeney (Sami) was the champion of the daytime stars edition of THE WEAKEST LINK in 2001. In 2002 she appeared on a celebrity episode of FEAR FACTOR. Now she is set to host the upcoming season of THE BIGGEST LOSER.

3. Mary Beth Evans (Kayla) was voted best actress by her fourth-grade classmates. In 1984, she went on to co-star in Lovelines. Today, the actress plays Steve's wife and Stephanie's mom on DAYS while tending to her husband, Michael, and their three children in real life.

4. During his early years on DAYS, Stephen Nichols' (Steve) role earned him a TVQ rating second only to Cosby. After leaving the soap, he recurred as Matt Kane in Mulligan's series EMPTY NEST. Nichols’ first feature film, Choices, was with Kutcher's wife, Demi Moore. The actor also portrayed Morrison in an L.A. theater production of The Lizard King, which garnered him L.A. Weekly and DramaLogue Awards.

5. Suzanne Rogers (Maggie), who was born Suzanne Crumpler, took her professional name from the late great Ginger Rogers. The actress also has a dance background — she used to perform with the Radio City Rockettes.

6. Drake Hogestyn (John) had been chosen to play Long's husband on the sitcom KELLY KELLY, but had to back out because it conflicted with his DAYS schedule. Hogestyn attended the University of South Florida in Tampa on a baseball scholarship and dreamed of a pro career. He also majored in pre-dentistry at college.

7. Bryan R. Dattilo (Lucas) and his sister, Kristin Dattilo (GROUNDED FOR LIFE), have both forged successful careers for themselves. Their mother, Peggy Dattilo, opened Harbour Lights Entertainment. Before that, she was a reporter for The National Enquirer.

8. Martha Madison (Belle) and her sisters were avid Salem fans long before she landed on the NBC sudser. The actress also appeared in the feature film Kate & Leopold with Ryan and Hugh Jackman 2001.

9. Peggy McCay (Caroline) was an original cast member on LOVE OF LIFE, playing heroine Vanessa Sterling from 1951-55. She received two Daytime Emmy nominations (for Outstanding Lead Actress in 1986 and Outstanding Supporting Actress in 1987). McCay won an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Irene Hayes on THE TRIALS OF ROSIE O'NEILL in 1990.

10. When Julie Pinson (Billie) wed Billy Warlock (ex-Frankie) in 2006, the news was reported in People. The actress has been amassing Barbie memorabilia for years and also speaks French.

SCORING:
9-10 points: Expert. You know everything there is to know about the cast of your favorite soap.

6-8: Good. Your knowledge of the Salem gang is commendable.

3-5: Fair. Some correct answers are better than none.

0-2: Poor. Egads! You need to brush up the nitty-gritty of the stars' lives.