Days Of Our Lives Star Zach Tinker Has A Family Connection To NBC

Zach Tinker recently opened up about his excitement for joining "Days of Our Lives." The actor, who has been tapped as a recast for the character of Sonny Kiriakis (formerly Freddie Smith), was first seen in the NBC soap opera's Christmas movie special as well as the spin-off show "Beyond Salem." However, he's now moving over to the flagship series, and he couldn't be happier.

"Now that I can say I'm on the mothership show, it's a very different experience, so every time you get to do one of those spin-off things... it was fun," Tinker said in a YouTube interview with co-star Billy Flynn. Both stars agreed that fans would enjoy all that is to come.

Tinker is no stranger to soap acting. He previously played the role of Fenmore Baldwin on "The Young and the Restless." However, he is also excited for his "DOOL" role because it gives him a chance to work on NBC, a network that has a long history with his family.

Long before Zach Tinker was cast as Sonny Kiriakis on "Days of Our Lives," his family had strong connections to the NBC network. Zach's late grandfather, Grant Tinker, was married to iconic actor Mary Tyler Moore when they began MTM Enterprises. Along with "The Mary Tyler Moore Show" and spin-offs "Rhoda," "Phyllis," and "Lou Grant," MTM was responsible for the likes of "St. Elsewhere," "Hill Street Blues," and "The Bob Newhart Show" (via USA Today). 

Later, Grant took over as NBC's CEO and Chairman, a position which he held from 1981 until 1986. Grant passed away in 2016 at the age of 90 (via The New York Times), and his love for television was passed on throughout his family.

Zach's father, John Tinker, is also in the business. John wrote for "St. Elsewhere," which was produced by his brother, Mark Tinker. John has written for Hallmark's hit series "When Calls the Heart," and he developed the drama "Chesapeake Shores." However, Zach might be the only Tinker who's been bitten by the acting bug. "A lot of people in my family are in production," he says. "I was the only one who was like, 'Let me try to be in front of the camera!' ... All comes full circle," he told "DOOL" co-star Billy Flynn during an interview on the show's YouTube channel.

It seems that Zach is not only carrying on his family's love for the television industry, but also their history with NBC.