Alison Sweeney Played This Character On Days Of Our Lives Before Becoming Samantha Brady

Alison Sweeney is no stranger to television. Although the actress is best known for her role as Salem bad girl Sami Brady on the long-running NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives," she's also held roles that even her biggest fans may not remember. Sweeney began working as an actress at a very young age, and quickly began to showcase her talents in shows like "Webster," and "St. Elsewhere" (via Fox News).

Sweeney also showed off her horror acting chops when she appeared in an episode of "Tales From The Darkside" for a spooky role, per Entertainment Weekly. Of course, she's also made appearances on other big name television shows such as "Friends," where she portrayed none other than a soap actress. She also appeared on an episode of "Celebrity Fear Factor," and even hosted the fitness reality show, "The Biggest Loser."

However, one of Sweeney's earliest roles may shock "DOOL" fans, as the actress actually appeared on the soap as a totally different character long before ever being cast as Sami Brady.

Alison Sweeney joined the cast of "Days of Our Lives" as Sami Brady in January 1993, per Soap Central. The character is the daughter of fan-favorite couple Roman Brady (Josh Taylor) and Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall). Although, while her parents are two of the most trusted and well-respected citizens in Salem, Sami's personality tends to differ.

Over the years, Sami has proven to be one of the most beloved characters, as well as a bit of a villain. She's often felt misunderstood, and like a black sheep in her own family, which has caused her to create trouble for many people in Salem, including herself. Sami's done everything from murder, kidnapping, blackmail, and more to get what she wants, and when it comes to her children she's known as a fiercely protective mother.

However, before being cast as Sami, Sweeney actually held a very different role on the soap. According to Little Things, the actress' first-ever appearance on "DOOL" was back in 1987, when she was cast to play a younger version of the character Adrienne Johnson — a role then held by actress Judi Evans, in flashback scenes.

It seems like Sweeney was always meant to be part of the "Days of Our Lives" family, and fans have grown to love her as Sami.