Days of Our Lives

Background:

“Everybody who watches the show knows that Philip is so blissfully ignorant about what his wife is thinking all the time. In the last couple of weeks, he finally got it. I want to thank the writers for having him finally wise up, especially as I leave, because the way that the reel ends as Philip leaves is very impressive on Philip’s behalf. He stops reacting and becomes the instigator.” Kyle Brandt on his character on “Days of Our Lives”

Soap Opera Digest nominated American actor and former college footballer Kyle Brandt was shot to fame with his participation on MTV's reality television series, “The Real World: Chicago” (2002). He gained further recognition for portraying Philip Kiriakis on the NBC popular soap opera “Days of Our Lives” from 2003 to 2006, from which he took home his Soap Opera Digest nomination. His role was written back on the show's several episodes in January 2008. Prior to his acting career, Brandt did some print and modeling, and from 1997 to 2000, played running back for the Princeton Tigers.

As for her personal life, 6' Brandt was engaged to long-time girlfriend Lori Trespicio, from “The Real World 10- Back to New York.” They split up in April 2004. Brandt is a big fan of the TV series “ The Golden Girls.” His favorite films include “Point Break,” “Rocky 4” and “Cobra.”

Football Geek

Childhood and Family:

Kyle Robert Brandt was born on January 24, 1979, in Hinsdale, Illinois, but grew up in Indianhead Park and Lincolnshire. His father, Robert Brandt, was an advertising executive, and her mother, Georgia Goldberg, was a successful commercial actress. He has an older sister named Ashley, a younger half-brother named Austin Goldberg and a younger half-sister named Casey Goldberg.

After graduating from Adlai E. Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, Illinois, where he marked in basketball, football, and track and field, Kyle attended Princeton University and earned a degree in English in 2001. In Princeton, he became a member of the Beta Theta Pi fraternity and played running back for the university football team, the Princeton Tigers.

The Real World

Career:

A native of Illinois, Kyle Brandt made his acting debut as a fourth-grader in the production of “The King and I.” Growing up, he did some print and commercial modeling, thanks to the support of his industry related parents. Brandt became more interested in sports during his high school years. He was the captain of both the football and track team, and was selected an Illinois state scholar.

Brandt carried on his passion for football on college at Princeton University, where he was a starting tailback for the Princeton Tigers from 1997 to 2000. In 1998, he became the first player to ever carry a football in Princeton Stadium when he returned the opening kickoff of the first game against Cornell. At the end of his college career, Brandt reached No. 15 on the university's all-time rushing chart. He rushed for 1,277 yards and scored 11 touchdowns, and became the first player to place a 100-yard outing in Princeton Stadium.

However, Brandt has never forgotten his first love, acting. He plunged into a basic freshmen acting class in college that led to the opinion of becoming an actor. During his college summers, he evenly divided his time between training for football and perfecting his acting skills. He attended summer theater programs at Northwestern University, Chicago's celebrated Second City and the NY Film Academy. He said, “I was definitely leading a double life those summers; it was amazingly fun!”

After completing his studies, Brandt broke into television in the MTV reality series “The Real World: Chicago” in 2002. The popular show brought him widespread recognition, but Brandt did not enjoy real success as an actor until 2003. In May of the year, he officially joined the cast of the 1960s daytime drama “Days of Our Lives,” playing the edgy and secretive Philip Kiriakis, and would stay with the top-rated soap until October 2006. In 2005, Brandt was nominated for a Soap Opera Digest for Favorite Triangle, which he shared with Kirsten Storms, Charity Rahmer, Martha Madison and Jason Cook.

With his increasing popularity, Brandt was invited to be a judge in the 2003 “Miss Ten USA” and appeared in the documentary “Anything to Win” (2006) and “Soap Talk” (2003, 2006). He also became a guest co-host on an episode of the game-show “Street Smarts” (2004).

“I’m looking forward to doing everything! The world is my oyster. I’ve been at the same place for three years. I’ve had the same lunch every day for three years. There are so many things I want to pursue. I’m all over the place. I want to do film, prime-time, even talk shows and radio. I’ve got a lot of things I want to do right now!” Kyle Brandt on life after “Days Of Our Lives”

In January 2008, fans of “Days of Our Lives” could find Brandt reprising his role as Philip Kiriakis in several episodes. Currently, he has completed filming the drama “Broken Window” (2008), directed by Tony Hickman. In his film debut, Brandt plays the supporting role of Steve. Some of his costars are Larisa Oleynik, Sarah Thompson, Jennifer Hall, Sara Jane Nash, Corri English, Devon Gummersall and Jonathan Murphy.

Brandt has taken a job with the Jim Rome Show, a nationally syndicated sports talk show, as a writer and producer.

Awards:
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