This is another question that people keep writing me about, so I thought I'd post the facts about Brady.

Who is Brady Victor Black?

• The son of John Black and the late Isabella Toscano
• Half-brother of Isabella (Belle) Brady
• A teenager, although he was born in May of 1992. Since sister Belle is now 15, he should be 1-2 years older.
• Most likely a brown haired, blue eyed teen
  
  (For additional info on his heritage, visit the Alamain and Toscano family trees)

Where is Brady?

• Brady was last seen at John and Marlena's wedding reception at the Penthouse Grille in July 1999. He had taken part in the ceremony as the ring bearer. Brady enjoyed the festivities, even dancing with his younger sister, Belle. At this point, Brady was still played by Eric and Brandon Billings, who had been in the role since 1994.
• Upon returning from their honeymoon, John and Marlena found a 15 year old Belle to greet them. Belle told John and Marlena that Brady was away at baseball camp.
• During Christmas 1999 when the Bradys and Blacks gathered at the Brady Pub, Marlena said that Brady was home sick. He wasn't healthy enough to be with his family, but he was healthy enough to play video games instead of studying (in her words).
• In February 1999, Brady was again mentioned and it sounded as if he was living in Marlena's penthouse, although we still hadn't seen him.

What has Brady missed?

• To start with, Brady's missed his dad's "sub sex" saga.
• In 1999, Carrie Brady, who is virtually family, left town with no goodbye from Brady.
• His sister Belle's trials and tribulations at Salem High and the beginning of her relationship with Shawn Douglas.

When will Brady return?

• Your guess is as good as mine
• No one at Days can seem to make up their mind on the subject
• As they have cast other young actors, like Phillip and Nicholas, they have apparently been keeping an eye out for potential actors to play Brady. While we've repeatedly heard that they're actively looking for someone to play Brady, they have not yet hired anyone for the role.
• Brady will return when there is a female character for him to interact with. He obviously can't date Belle. Mimi is another possibility, as is Chloe, but neither seem right for him.
• It seems the Days canvas has become so filled with teens that they aren't ready to add another one unless one leaves.

  Tom Langan (TV Guide Q&A 4/18/00):
  "I would love to bring Brady in... the only thing is I have [too] many people. Let's just say that he won't make an entrance as Eric did, years after Sami. Of course, the time might be right soon because Jensen [Ackles, who plays Eric] is leaving the show... so we'll see."  

  June 2000: The casting call has gone out for Brady. Days is looking for someone who is 17-19 years old, who plays the guitar and sings. (Could this mean Days is wanting to form a band with Chloe and Shawn?)
  
  Scripts breakdowns now list that Brady's voice will be heard on August 2 and he will be seen on August 3. At this point, Days has still not released the name of the actor who will playing. It's possible that he still hasn't been cast. (some info from Jason47)
  
  We will see Brady's face on August 21. Up to this point, a body double was used for the shots of Brady's feet, back, etc. Kyle Lowder will first be seen on the 21st.
  There is now a picture of Kyle Brandon Lowder on the web. You can find it here: http://id.yimg.com/d/d811cea6/g/bc3bc887.jpg (thanks to VernKatNeal for posting it in The First Kyle Lowder Yahoo Club

What will Brady be like when/if he returns?

• No one has speculated about his character at this point, but I have some answers to fan questions about his character...
  • Will Brady be a rebel? Probably not, since Shawn seems to be the resident rebel these days.
  • Will he accept Marlena as his mom? Maybe not. She's the only mother he has known and as a young boy he called her mom, but maybe he's undergoing an identity crisis and is rejecting her, since she's not his biological mother.
  • Will he befriend Grandpa Victor? Since Victor is his only living tie to his mother, he might befriend Victor in an effort to bond with his dead mom.
  • Will he hang out with sister Belle? Most likely, since we only see one group of teens in town and she's part of the group.
• Lots of people keep asking about Brady's looks, since we continue to see only his back or his feet. For a look, check out page 8 of the most recent Abercrombie and Fitch catalog. If you're looking at the Back to School Issue, you'll find him on page 70.

Fans cast the role of Brady

Any ideas on who should play Brady?

I always thought Days had miscast Brandon Tyler when he appeared as Philip. He had adorable blue eyes just like Brandon and Eric Billings who had previously played Brady. He also had light brown hair, just like the boys. His demeanor was very calm. He didn't have the edge they needed for Philip, but he would have made a perfect Brady. (Beth)

I think Andrew Keegan, (Joey Donner, 10 Things I Hate About You/ Wilson, 7th Heaven) would be a perfect mix of Isabella Toscano and John Black. He doesn't have a bad looking body, either. (Kristin Moore)

Tyler Christopher who used to play Nicholas on GH. There are couple on Dawson's Creek also. (LisaPegCon)

My opinion is that Brandon Tyler (ex Philip) should play Brady cause I miss Brandon. (Shelana)

 I know of three great actors that would fit the bill perfectly: Richard Lee Jackson (Jonathan Jackson´s older brother), Steve Burton (ex-Jason Morgan,GH) and Kelly Brendon (Nick Brendon´s twin brother, BTVS).

Some actors that would be good to play Brady would be Mark Webber (who was in "Snow Day" and "Drive Me Crazy"), Adrian Grenier (also of "Drive Me Crazy"). (Johanna)

We think that Andrew Keegan would be a nearly perfect choice to play Brady. He's got that sort of Toscano/Alamain thing going. (Leanne and Michelle)

I read the "who should play Brady Black" thing and loads of people suggested someone fairly old. I know he is going to grow up but they can't really make him an army guy or whatever because although he is older than Belle he is supposed to be younger than Shawn and making him older would really screw things up so he ought to be the same age as them lot and the old Philip would definitely be good for that. Some ideas for actors to play him: Patrick Levis, Payton Haas (flipper tv series), D. Zamprogna (boys club), Erik Austin (party of 5), Nathan Bexton (go), Lucas Black (the war), Trevor Fehrman, Will Estes (kelly kelly), Vincent Kartheiser (alaska), Trevor Blumas, Adam LaVorgna (degree of guilt), Tim Redwine (step toward tomorrow), Illya Wolpshyn (odyssey), Ashton Kutcher, Brendan Fletcher, Kirk Nicklaus. (min)

Fan thoughts on Brady and his comeback

This is your turn...Share your ideas about Brady--send me an email and I'll post your thoughts.

Brady is chronologically (if Days' was to actually follow real time) 2-3 years older than Belle. That would make him a good candidate to be in the military. My idea is that Brady returns early from his duties, claiming he was released early for being top of his class or something to that effect. But, as we all know, there's always something else to the story. I think a great twist is that Brady was released for having improper relations with a female commanding officer and dishonorably discharged. Will John and the rest of Salem find the skeleton in Brady's closet? The idea that Days will only bring Brady back if there is a love interest in Salem, can be easily solved...... Abby Deveraux. Abby can return to go to college, and Salem needs a true vixen (like when Vivian buried Carly alive, now that was pure evil). Can Abby live up to the task? As for Abby, I like Kellie Martin (hey, she did recently come to an untimely death on ER). (Kristin Moore)

Brady will be sweet and caring...everybody's best friend ...they go to him to talk.... he will be in love but she is in love with someone else ...but he just let it go and he will be there to support his father because they are best friends and he and Marlena are very close...he calls her mom (LisaPegCon)

 First then allow me to straighten a couple of things about Brady. He is an year older then Belle (you can find this on the Children of Salem Board/for Belle then it on the Children the Grew Up in Salem Board). You all seem to forget that Brady´s love interest doesn´t need to be only Abby. There is also Abby´s cousin Stephanie or Jeannie Donovan even Noelle Curtis can also be Brady´s love interests although it would be wonderful is the DOOL producers hire an actor for the roles of Ben Dimera or Will Roberts who is Brady´s step-nephew. Then there is always the "Forbidden Love" if Mary Beth Evans decides to return to Salem as Kayla Brady then there its always possible for them to start an affair or Brady can also start having an affair with Kate Roberts. And what would be so wrong of having two rebels in town? Hell, Brady can even start his own mob if he wanted too. Quite frankly then l think that DOOL should bring back Max Brady, Abby Deveraux, Noelle Curtis, Stephanie Johnson, Andrew and Jeannie Donovan, Ben and Elvis Dimera. Even make up an love interest for Brady like letting Carrie have a half sister named Anna. About what will Brady be like if/when he returns. Personally then l think that an identity crisis would be a great idea because he thinks that he doesn´t know where he fits in the picture of an perfect family. Also why DOOL have Brady make enemies with both Phillip and Shawn-D or let him be close with Will,Ben and Elvis.
Let him be confused about who he is!
Let him have a little problem with Marlena Black.
Let him mix with the wrong people (Please!!!!!!!). (Sandra) 

The new actor to play Brady Black should be more of the nerdy/nice type (there are hardly any in Salem who are). He should also be kind of sedative--and so that makes him a perfect candidate to hang out with Mimi. Of course, since this is a soap opera, Brady wouldn't be too nice, nerdy, or sedative. Mean, popular, and seductive would be more like it! (Johanna)

As a teenage viewer I think they should bring Brady Black Back back. Collin O'Donnell should play him.He was cute.Make him A bad boy.Everyone else is to goodygoody.Have him come back with a love interest.and we haven't had any teenage pregnancies in a while maybe they could do some thing with that?you never know! (KCJL15)

We also think that Brady should NOT be enemies with Shawn D. who is his cousin...why would he have a reason to be enemies with him? We think that Shawn and Brady should be the best of friends. We also like the idea of Brady resenting Marlena because she is not his biological mother,...we can see some tension there. We'd like to hear more about Isabella...like John talking to Brady about her because Brady never got the chance to know her. (We love Isabella). Please note that Victor is not Brady's only living link to his mother...Bo Brady was Isabella's brother, and Shawn Brady was her nephew. We WANT Brady to return!!!! (Leanne and Michelle)

 I think that when they bring Brady back that they should pair him with Mimi. First of all he could help Mimi cope, after all the has happened in her life has some what settled. He could also provide her with the much needed attention she craves. Wouldn't that be neat for Belle to have her best friend as a sister in-law and this would also provide a chance for Mimi to lose the idea that she can be with Shawn because I think most of us know he should be with Belle. Besides I always felt bad that Sami go the boyfriends and Jaime NEVER did! (Leah)

I also thought that Brady should be a bit of a romeo, good with the girls as all the other teens seem to be a bit clueless. Maybe an affair with an older woman and that he should be friends with Shawn but come into conflict with Philip because Philip is the captain of the baseball team but Brady is supposed to be really keen on baseball - so maybe he takes over and that will cause problems. (min)

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