| Harris Michaels | |||||||
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| Days Of Our Lives | |||||||
| Portrayed by | Steve Burton (1988, 2022, 2022-24) | ||||||
| Current status | Former; Regular | ||||||
| Duration | 1988, 2022-24 | ||||||
| First appearance | July 21, 1988 | ||||||
| Last appearance | June 24, 2024 | ||||||
| Cause/reason | Left Town | ||||||
| Created by | Leah Laiman | ||||||
| Introduced by | Ken Corday and Al Rabin (1988) Ken Corday and Albert Alarr (2022) | ||||||
| Profile | |||||||
| Nickname(s) | Harry (by Stephanie) Robocop boyfriend (by Clyde) | ||||||
| Gender | Male | ||||||
| Occupation | Former Navy SEAL Commander Former Police Detective Former assassin (while brainwashed) | ||||||
| Residence | Unknown Formerly Washington, DC Formerly Montreal, Canada Formerly Salem, Illinois | ||||||
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Harris Michaels is a character from the soap opera, Days of Our Lives, portrayed by Steve Burton, in 1988. Burton reprised the role on the spin-off miniseries, Beyond Salem from July 11 to July 15, 2022. He returned to the original series on March 20, 2023 to June 24, 2024.
Development
Burton debuted the role in 1988 as a high school student and love interest for Eve Donovan.
After a 34-year hiatus, he reprised the role on Beyond Salem.
Burton officially returned to the main series in March 2023. During this period, Harris was a reformed character who became a detective for the Salem Police Department.
In January of 2024, it was revealed that Burton would be leaving the show, last airing on June 24, 2024. Burton's exit followed the completion of a one-year contract.Storylines
Harris attended school with Eve Donovan. Harris, Jake, and their friends knew Eve used to be a prostitute so Jake made a bet to see who could score with her first. Eve never liked any of Jake's friends, but she did like his Harris, so Harris decided to take Jake up on his bet.
Harris and Eve went out on many dates, and Jake began to care for Eve. However, Eve soon learned what Harris was after, and she attempted to kill herself on sleeping pills. By that time Harris had fallen in love with her, but their romance wasn't meant to be. Though he tried to apologize, Eve never forgave him. Eve got her revenge when she hosted a party at warehouse, and got Harris and his friends arrested.
Some time later, Harris joined the Navy and became a Commander within the Navy Seals. He reappeared in July 2022 working for Megan Hathaway. He was tasked with dating Hope Williams Brady, so he could later kill her. Harris also kidnapped John Black and Steve Johnson on Megan's orders. Hope's daughter Ciara Brady was wary of Harris. Harris proposed to Hope, which made Megan wonder if Harris was falling for Hope. At the wedding, Hope was shot by Megan's other associate Thomas Banks, and killed. Harris went to finish his mission of getting the final prism and then shot and killed Ciara. Time was eventually reversed, and Hope and Ciara were brought back to life. Ben subdued Harris and he was taken into custody after being shot in the shoulder. Later, Hope visited Harris and asked if he ever really cared about her. Harris claimed he did care about Hope, but she left him to face the consequences of his actions.
Harris was revealed to have been brainwashed by Megan and taken to an ISA facility where they attempted to deprogram him, but he resisted. Harris was kept there, and Hope went to visit him. Harris claimed he felt nothing for Hope and it was just a job. When Hope went to touch Harris, he wrapped his hands around her throat and said he could break her neck. Hope knew he couldn't and that he really did feel something for her since he didn't shoot her when Megan ordered him to, Harris backed off and agreed to get deprogrammed. The deprogramming was successful, and Harris and Hope were ready for a fresh start.
Hope and Harris went looking for Kayla Brady, who had escaped Megan's facility. During this time, Harris discovered that Bo Brady was alive, and hiding out nearby. Bo had no memory of who he was, and asked Harris not to tell Hope anything, saying that Hope thinks he is dead and has moved on with Harris, so it's a win win. Harris agreed to keep quiet, but guilt got the better of him, and he eventually told Hope the truth. Hope couldn't forgive Harris especially after Shawn accidentally shot Bo.
Harris saved Chad and Stephanie from Thomas Banks by subduing him and then turning him over to the ISA. When another of Megan's captives. ISA Agent Andrew Donovan approached Harris and offered him a chance of redemption. Another of Megan's captives Kate Roberts was thought to have been killed by Bo. It was discovered that Kate was alive and being held captive by Dimitri Von Leuschner. Andrew wanted Harris to help John Black and Steve Johnson rescue her, but Steve didn't trust him. In the end, Dimitri is subdued and Kate is rescued.
He settles down in Salem with intent to keep an eye on Megan after prison release. Kate hires him kill Megan, but she turns the tables on him and has Dr. Rolf brainwash him again in order to kill her brother Stefano DiMera. Before he could kill him, Harris briefly regains control and shots Megan instead. After taking with Marlena Evans, he decides to check himself into Bayview Sanitarium in order to keep Megan from manipulating him again and regain himself. There, he met up with Eve Donovan again and the two settled their differences from when they were teenagers. It is also where he met a delusional Ava Vitali.
He connects with her as she struggles with her hallucinations of Charlie Dale. After EJ DiMera orders a hit on Ava, he comes to her rescue and the two escape Bayview where, with Tripp and Wendy Shin's help, they flee to London as Ava remembers that Susan Banks, EJ's mother, survived the car crash that landed Ava in Bayview. They find her captive in Edmund Crumb's flat and all are saved by Tripp and Rafe Hernandez. They return to Salem where both are deemed mentally healthy to be released and Harris offered a job at the Salem PD as a detective.
He soon begins investigating a drug ring that Ava, whom he has developed feelings for, is being coerced into help run along with Stefan. When she comes clean, he offers to help her escape conviction by providing information to him. He also learns that Clyde Weston is running the operation thanks to Lucas Horton, but Lucas is forced into hiding after being attacked in prison. Harris is later shot by Stefan on Clyde's orders to punish Ava, but he survives. After awaking from a short coma, Harris is set on again by Stefan but he disarms the man and discovers Officer Rebecca Goldman is a mole that Clyde placed in the SPD. He makes Stefan a deal that he is to say that he alone was Clyde's willing accomplice to spare Ava from conviction unless the cop reveal Stefan role in his attempted assassination. Stefan eventually complies and is sent to prison.
