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Isabella Toscano
Isabella Toscano
Isabella Toscano
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Isabella Toscano
Days of our Lives character
Portrayed byStaci Greason
Duration1989–92, 1995, 2000, 2002–03, 2010
First appearanceOctober 16, 1989[1]
Last appearanceNovember 19, 2010
ClassificationFormer; recurring
Created byAnne Howard Bailey
Introduced byKen Corday and Shelley Curtis
Spin-off
appearances		Days of Our Lives: One Stormy Night (1992)
In-universe information
Other namesIsabella Beatrice Toscano
Isabella Black
Izzy-Bee (John's nickname for her)
OccupationPrivate investigator
FamilyKiriakis
FatherVictor Kiriakis
MotherLoretta Toscano
StepfatherErnesto Toscano
StepmotherCarly Manning
Half-brothersBo Brady
Xander Kiriakis
Philip Kiriakis
Half-sistersMarina Toscano
SpouseJohn Black (1992)
SonsBrady Black
GrandsonsTate Black
GranddaughtersRachel Black
GrandfathersYurgos Kiriakis
GrandmothersSophie Kiriakis
UnclesAlexander Kiriakis
Titus Kiriakis
Deimos Kiriakis
NephewsShawn-Douglas Brady
Zack Brady
Tyler Kiriakis
NiecesChelsea Brady
Ciara Brady
Victoria Kiriakis
First cousinsJustin Kiriakis

Isabella Toscano is a fictional character from the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. The character first appeared on a recurring basis on October 16, 1989, and was portrayed by actress Staci Greason. Greason was put on contract in December 1989.[1] Greason left the show in October 1992, after Isabella died from pancreatic cancer. Greason reappeared later on as Isabella's ghost in 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003, and most recently in November 2010.

Storylines

[edit]

Isabella was born on July 27, 1960, to Loretta Toscano and Ernesto Toscano. She had an older sister, Marina Theresa Toscano.[2] In 1989, Isabella was introduced as an inmate at an asylum. Isabella's sister, Marina (Hunter Tylo) was keeping her locked up against her will. She escaped with the help of Jack Deveraux and she hid in his loft. Together, Jack and Isabella discovered the Toscano family treasure and her mother, Loretta's diary—which Marina had been looking for.

When Marina's dead body was discovered, Steve's wife, Kayla Brady was convicted in her murder. Unwilling to believe Kayla was guilty, Isabella teamed up with Kayla's brother, Roman Brady. In a surprising turn of events, Isabella and Roman discovered Isabella killed Marina, then blocked the deed from her memory. With this new evidence, Kayla was released and Isabella cleared on the grounds of self-defense.

In the summer of 1990, Isabella became a key figure in the infamous Cruise of Deception storyline when Ernesto Toscano, also seeking his late wife Loretta's diary, invited Salem's most prominent members aboard his yacht. Jack returned some of the diary's pages he had stole. Isabella discovered her biological father was not Ernesto but Victor Kiriakis. A furious Ernesto then kidnapped Isabella, taking her to a nearby island. Just before Ernesto succeeded in poisoning Isabella as he had her mother after he discovered Loretta's affair with Victor, Roman rescued Isabella. In the mayhem, Ernesto and Hope Brady were killed.

Returning to Salem, Isabella began a private investigation agency with her new-found brother, Bo Brady, and her relationship with Roman deepened. The couple become engaged and made plans to move in together when Roman's presumed-dead wife, Marlena, returned to Salem. A devastated Isabella assured Roman she would not stand in the way of rebuilding his marriage with Marlena. However, she began to truly despair when she discovered she was pregnant with Roman's baby.

Things came to a head when Roman and Marlena were confronted by a man claiming to be the "real" Roman Brady. Roman's mother, Caroline Brady, confirmed the latter's claim. Salemites were stunned to learn the man that they called Roman for six years was an impostor. Devastated, the false Roman reverted to using his old name, John Black, and began a desperate search into his real identity. He also reunited with Isabella after she told him she was having their child. On May 19, 1992, during the couple's marriage ceremony, Isabella went into labor; she quickly gave birth to Brady Victor Black and named him in honor of the Brady family and Isabella's father.

The Black family's happiness was short-lived when Dr. Carly Manning informed Isabella her back pain was the result of advanced pancreatic cancer. Telling John she wanted to die in her "real" home, John and Isabella went to Venice where she quietly died in John's arms on October 16, 1992.

Isabella's afterlife

[edit]

In 1993, Marlena and Roman Brady named their newborn daughter Isabella, nicknamed Belle for short. In a not-unusual daytime plot twist, Marlena discovered that John was the father of Belle, not Roman. Isabella's ghost made several guest appearances: in 1995, as part of Satan's plot, and in 2000, while attempting to save Eric Brady. Later that year, Isabella appeared to John as her former husband prayed for guidance, unsure as how he could best help their angry, now college-age son, Brady. In 2002 and 2003, a ghostly Isabella again appeared to a now calmer Brady, who was struggling with his feelings for Chloe Lane. She also appeared to Brady on several occasions in 2010 while Brady had Vivian Alamain buried alive inside a sarcophagus.

On Mother's Day in 2019, her son Brady and Kristen DiMera welcomed their daughter Rachel Isabella DiMera Black, who was named after her and Kristen's mother: Rachel Blake, who was switched at birth by Xander Kiriakis, under orders by her great- grandfather Victor to spare his wife Maggie Horton the truth that she's responsible for the deaths of Adrienne Johnson and her granddaughter: the real Mackenzie Horton. Rachel later had developed cancer and needed a bone marrow transplant from Gabi Hernandez.

In order to remember their daughter, a technique taught to Brady by his step-mother Marlena Evans, Kristen remembers that Rachel has a heart shaped birthmark on her neck.

Later, Brady's ex-girlfriend Nicole Walker discovered the truth about the baby switch by overhearing the conversation between Dr. Amanda Raynor and Xander, later between Xander and Victor, then sets up a fight between herself and Kristen to get a DNA sample, which is tampered by Xander by paying the lab technician, because Nicole is on to him. Later, after her talk with Abe Carver, Nicole is planning to find Dr. Raynor to get the truth about the baby switch between Rachel and Mackenzie in order to tell Eric Brady and Sarah the truth about their baby and to reunite Rachel with her parents. While in the hospital with Rachel, Brady noticed that the baby has a heart-shaped birthmark on her neck and confide with his father John about his suspicions about Rachel and Mackenzie. Later, Nicole got confirmation from Raynor, she is prepare to tell Eric the truth about Rachel and Mackenzie. After finding out his daughter is alive, Brady realizes that his grandfather Victor and his cousin Xander were behind the baby switch that cause Sarah Horton to kidnap Rachel and flee to her cousin Abigail and Chad's apartment in Paris. After learning that Kristen stabbed Victor, Brady took the blame in order to protect her and went to jail. Kristen later tells Lani the truth about Victor's stabbing. Later, Kristen receive a phone call from Rex Brady (Kyle Lowder) and with the help of her nephew and Lani's brother Theo Carver (Kyler Pettis), she learns that Rachel and Sarah are in Paris by tracking Rex's phone. After Kristen finds Sarah and Rachel at the train station, she confronts Sarah over taking Rachel, then after her heartbreaking plea, she convinces Sarah to give her baby back, she is then reunited with Rachel after Sarah hands her over. Kristen and Rachel is later reunited with Brady, but Kristen tells Brady that she can't go back to Salem, because of her warrant for stabbing Victor. Then, Brady tells her to take Rachel and go on the run, she leaves the train station with Rachel after a heartfelt goodbye with Brady. After Brady returns to Salem without Kristen and Rachel, he tells Eric and Nicole that he let Kristen and Rachel go on a run, and Eric gets angry over the situation, But Nicole understands the situation. Then, Brady meets Sarah at the Salem Pub after she learns that Kristen is on the run with Rachel and they have decided to plotted to get revenge on Victor and Xander for that they did to them and their children.

References

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[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Isabella Toscano

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Isabella Beatrice Toscano Black is a fictional character from the American Days of Our Lives, introduced on October 16, 1989, and portrayed primarily by actress Staci Greason. The daughter of crime lord and Loretta Toscano, her half-brother is and her half-sister is the late Marina Toscano, and she became a central figure in storylines involving family secrets, romance, and tragedy. Introduced as a woman wrongfully institutionalized by her scheming half-sister to cover up criminal activities, Isabella escaped and, in , accidentally caused 's , leading to her discovery of her true parentage. She initially disowned her father Victor upon learning of his ruthless nature but later formed a deep romantic bond with John Black, marrying him in a high-profile storyline. The couple welcomed their son, Brady Victor Black, in 1992, but Isabella's arc culminated in a devastating diagnosis of , from which she died later that year in John's arms while in . The character has made posthumous appearances as a ghost in 1995, 2000, 2002–2003, and 2010, influencing ongoing narratives involving her son and husband. Isabella's story remains one of the most poignant in Days of Our Lives history, highlighting themes of redemption, love, and loss within the show's intricate web of Salem families.

Development and portrayal

Creation

Isabella Toscano was created by head writer Anne Howard Bailey in 1989 during her tenure on , specifically as part of a narrative arc centered on family secrets and a treasure hunt linked to the fictional Toscano legacy. The character was conceived to deepen the show's exploration of hidden lineages and inheritance disputes, drawing on themes of obscured heritage that would unfold through discoveries of diaries and artifacts. Her introduction served to broaden the Kiriakis family dynamics, establishing her as Victor Kiriakis's long-lost daughter with Loretta Toscano while initially presenting her parentage as ambiguous to heighten dramatic tension. This expansion connected her to established figures like Victor, whose criminal enterprises and paternal complexities would influence her arc, and , whose alliance with her initiated key revelations about her background. By integrating these ties, the writers aimed to weave Isabella into the broader tapestry of Salem's interconnected families, amplifying conflicts over loyalty and betrayal. Bailey envisioned Isabella as a mysterious and multifaceted figure, combining vulnerability rooted in her institutionalization with resilient strength manifested through her expertise, to propel storylines involving and personal redemption. This duality allowed her to navigate perilous quests and ambiguities, making her a catalyst for emotional depth in ensemble interactions. Her design particularly facilitated linkage to the 1990 "Cruise of Deception" storyline, where concealed familial bonds would surface amid high-stakes voyages and confrontations. The character was introduced by executive producers and Shelley Curtis.

Casting

Staci Greason portrayed Isabella Toscano on , debuting in the role in 1989 and remaining on contract until 1992, when the character was killed off from . Greason returned in recurring capacity for afterlife scenes as Isabella's ghost in 1995, 2000, 2002–2003, and 2010. Her final appearance aired on November 19, 2010, depicting a ghostly vision of Isabella visiting her son Brady during a dream sequence.

Character profile

Family and relationships

Isabella Toscano was born to Loretta Toscano and Victor Kiriakis. She was raised by her mother and Ernesto Toscano, who served as her adoptive father figure within the Toscano family. Toscano died in 1992 from pancreatic cancer. Toscano's siblings included her maternal half-sister Marina Theresa Toscano, whom she killed in self-defense during a confrontation over the Toscano family treasure; the incident was ruled accidental after an investigation. She also had two paternal half-brothers: , son of and Caroline Brady, and , son of Victor and Kate Roberts. Toscano married John Black on May 19, 1992, the same day their son, Brady Victor Black, was born. Through Brady, she became a grandmother to , Brady's son with , and Rachel Isabella DiMera Black, Brady's daughter with ; the latter was partially named after Toscano as a tribute to her legacy. The revelation of as Toscano's biological father occurred during the Cruise of Deception, orchestrated by Ernesto Toscano in a plot for revenge against Victor.

Personality and occupation

Isabella Toscano is depicted as a resilient and resourceful individual, whose mysterious past, including a period of institutionalization, profoundly influenced her development into a determined for within the narrative of Days of Our Lives. Her core traits encompass unwavering loyalty to her loved ones, a lingering sense of vulnerability stemming from unresolved family secrets, and a courageous resolve when facing confrontations. Professionally, Toscano worked as a , leveraging her investigative skills to delve into hidden family legacies and broader truths that propelled her story arcs. She formed a private investigator agency with her half-brother . This occupation aligned seamlessly with her innate resourcefulness, allowing her to navigate complex mysteries effectively. Her motivations were rooted in a quest for and redemption, particularly intensified by revelations about her heritage, which fostered strong protective instincts toward her son, . These qualities were notably evident in her romantic loyalty to John Black, underscoring her capacity for deep emotional commitment amid personal turmoil.

Storylines

Arrival in Salem (1989–1990)

Isabella Toscano made her first appearance on Days of Our Lives in 1989 as a mysterious woman confined to a mental institution in Salem, where she had been wrongfully committed by her half-sister, Marina Toscano, to prevent interference in Marina's quest for the family's hidden treasure. Portrayed by Staci Greason, Isabella was introduced as a vulnerable yet determined character seeking answers about her past, having been raised in isolation after her mother Loretta's death. Her debut storyline quickly escalated when Jack Deveraux, investigating blackmail tied to his brother Steve Johnson, visited the asylum and realized Isabella was sane and potentially key to resolving the threats against the Johnson family. With Jack's assistance, Isabella escaped the facility on October 16, 1989, and hid in his loft, marking the beginning of their alliance in unraveling the Toscano secrets. As fugitives evading authorities and Marina's operatives, Isabella and Jack embarked on a perilous , where they located the long-lost diary of Isabella's mother, Loretta Toscano, which contained crucial clues to the family's concealed wealth and unresolved mysteries. The diary revealed fragments of Isabella's heritage, including subtle hints of connections to powerful figures like , though the full implications remained shrouded at this stage. During their pursuit, the pair faced intense conflicts, including ambushes by family enemies intent on silencing Isabella and attempts by law enforcement to recapture her as an escaped inmate. A pivotal moment occurred when Isabella used a key from Steve Johnson's home—essential for accessing the diary—to negotiate with for the safety of , who was being held captive; in the exchange, Isabella was shot but miraculously survived, deepening the web of intrigue surrounding the Tuscano legacy. Isabella's early tenure in Salem intensified through her interactions with Roman Brady, a detective who became an unlikely ally in probing the escalating dangers tied to the treasure hunt. (Note: Roman Brady was later revealed to be John Black.) Together, they navigated pursuits by Marina and other adversaries, with Isabella's resourcefulness shining amid the constant threats. The storyline reached a dramatic climax in late 1989 when Isabella confronted Marina in a Salem hotel room over the escalating betrayals; in a struggle for a gun, Marina accidentally fell and struck her head on a nightstand, resulting in her death. Ruled as self-defense after the truth emerged in 1990 via a manipulated tape that Victor had used to frame Kayla, the incident ultimately led to Kayla's release from captivity, clearing her name and allowing Isabella a tentative foothold in Salem society.

Paternity and conflicts (1990–1991)

In the summer of 1990, Isabella Toscano became entangled in the elaborate "Cruise of Deception," a high-seas scheme orchestrated by Ernesto Toscano, whom she believed to be her father, to exact revenge on his enemies including . During the voyage, which included passengers such as John Black, , Hope Brady, , and , Isabella uncovered shocking truths from her late mother Loretta's diary, pieced together with the aid of Jack and Jennifer. The revelations confirmed that was her biological father, not Ernesto, shattering her sense of identity and igniting immediate familial tensions. Enraged by the discovery and Isabella's unwitting role in his daughter Marina's earlier death, Ernesto kidnapped Isabella and took her to a remote after a sank the cruise ship, stranding survivors. There, he subjected her to slow poisoning, mirroring the fate he had inflicted on Loretta upon learning of her affair with Victor, in a bid to assert obsessive control over the Toscano legacy. Isabella survived the attempt when John Black located and rescued her from Ernesto's stronghold, solidifying their alliance amid the chaos. Back in Salem, she grappled with her ties to Victor's criminal underworld, facing sibling strains with half-brother over loyalties and Victor's ruthless dealings, though they eventually collaborated on a private investigation agency. By early 1991, Isabella embraced her Kiriakis heritage, leveraging it to shield allies like John from ongoing threats linked to Ernesto's vendetta and Victor's empire. This period marked her transition from victim of deception to empowered figure navigating family betrayals and power struggles.

Marriage and death (1992)

Following the revelations of her true parentage, which had deepened Isabella's connection to her father Victor Kiriakis, her relationship with John Black blossomed into romance amid their shared efforts to unravel lingering mysteries from her family's past. What began as a partnership forged in investigation evolved into profound love, culminating in John's proposal to the heavily pregnant Isabella. On May 19, 1992, John and Isabella exchanged vows in a heartfelt ceremony in Salem, surrounded by close family and friends. The joyous occasion took an unexpected turn when Isabella went into labor during the proceedings, giving birth to their son, Brady Victor Black, later that same day. Named in honor of to symbolize the bridging of families and Isabella's enduring ties to her heritage, Brady's arrival marked a pinnacle of unity for the couple. Their honeymoon in soon turned somber when Isabella began experiencing severe symptoms and sought medical attention. Diagnosed with advanced shortly after the birth, she faced a grim prognosis with limited treatment options, yet she and John pursued experimental therapies while embarking on a poignant journey back to —her ancestral home—to confront unresolved elements of the Toscano legacy. Despite her weakening condition, Isabella shared tender moments with John, expressing her hopes for their son's future. On October 16, 1992, Isabella succumbed to the cancer in , passing away peacefully in John's arms. Her death left an indelible void, as John grappled with the loss of his beloved wife while committing to honor her wishes for their family.

Afterlife and legacy

Posthumous appearances (1995–2010)

Following her death from in 1992, Isabella Toscano's spirit made several returns, manifesting as a ghostly vision to offer guidance and solace to her loved ones in Salem. In 1995, she appeared during the storyline involving Satan's possession of , participating in the exorcism efforts as part of the plot, providing support amid the crisis. In 2000, Isabella appeared to defend in a trial when he nearly died, offering reassurance and protection. She returned more frequently in 2002–2003, appearing to her son Brady during moments of vulnerability to help him work through his feelings for , delivering words of encouragement and reminding him of his . Throughout these episodes, Isabella functioned as a spiritual protector, influencing the emotional arcs of her loved ones by fostering and rather than overt interference in their choices. Her 2010 appearance to Brady on November 19 helped him navigate guilt over burying alive, emphasizing themes of forgiveness and familial bonds.

Influence on descendants

Isabella's death shortly after Brady Black's birth in 1992 left a lasting imprint on her son's life, contributing to his turbulent path marked by rebellion, , and conflicts within the Kiriakis and Black families. Raised primarily by his father John Black and stepmother , Brady often grappled with the absence of his mother, which fueled his self-destructive tendencies and shaped his journey toward personal redemption through therapy, relationships, and professional pursuits at Titan Industries. Her enduring memory provided emotional anchor points during his crises, symbolizing themes of loss and recovery that recur in his storylines. This legacy extended to the next generation with the 2020 birth of Brady's daughter, Rachel Isabella DiMera , with —her middle name explicitly honoring Isabella amid a dramatic baby switch plot orchestrated by Xander Cook and , where Rachel was temporarily passed off as Horton's child, . The naming choice underscored Isabella's symbolic role in preserving family bonds despite deception and tragedy, reinforcing narratives of hidden truths and maternal strength within the blended Black-DiMera lineage. Beyond direct descendants, Isabella's influence permeates Kiriakis family dynamics, as her father and ex-husband John frequently invoked her resilience against and her revelations about family secrets in pivotal decisions, such as inheritance disputes at Titan and alliances against the DiMeras. These references highlight broader series motifs of enduring maternal impact and the interplay of illness, , and across generations. Early visions of Isabella to Brady further established her as a moral compass, subtly guiding his early character growth without overshadowing his independent arcs.

References

  1. https://www.soapcentral.com/character/isabella-toscano-black
  2. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0337295/
  3. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/688881/brady-mom-isabella-alive/
  4. https://www.thelist.com/1325944/heartbreaking-story-isabella-death-days-of-our-lives/
  5. https://www.jason47.com/days/ahbaileyobit.html
  6. https://soaphub.com/days-of-our-lives/days-of-our-lives-wayback-remember-isabella-toscano-black/
  7. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/566735/days-of-our-lives-kiriakis-family/
  8. https://michaelfairmantv.com/staci-greason-returns-to-days-as-isabella-for-dream-sequence/2010/08/26/
  9. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/11343/days-of-our-lives-staci-greason-returns/
  10. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/comings-and-goings/237/20101119-days-of-our-lives/
  11. https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/whoswho/isabella.php
  12. https://www.thelist.com/796337/days-of-our-lives-family-tree-the-kiriakis-family/
  13. https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/whoswho/marina.php
  14. https://www.soapoperaspy.com/2025/dool-spoilers-alice-halsey-takes-over-the-role-of-rachel-black/
  15. https://www.welovesoaps.tv/2014/10/today-in-soap-opera-history-october-16.html
  16. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/39565/throwback-thursday-days-poll-the-toscano-sisters/
  17. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/features/33/episode-guide-for-dool-from-1990-1999/
  18. https://www.thelist.com/1339296/days-of-our-lives-cruise-deception-explained/
  19. https://soaps.sheknows.com/gallery/photos-days-of-our-lives-victor-kiriakis-crimes-lovers-family/
  20. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/598872/days-of-our-lives-brady-black-birthday-tribute-eric-martsolf/
  21. https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/five-things-that-happened-on-may-19-in-soap-history3/
  22. https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/days-of-our-lives-weekly-recap-for-101115
  23. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/32761/throwback-thursday-dool-poll-a-mothers-love/
  24. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/characters/brady-black/
  25. https://www.tvinsider.com/923421/arianne-zucker-days-of-our-lives-nicole-mackenzie-horton-rachel-black/
  26. https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/recaps/558133/xander-and-victor-discuss-paying-off-ob-gyn-to-do-baby-switch/
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