READER PANEL

PROFILE

Darin Brooks

ON SOAP OPERA DIGEST AND WEEKLY ONLINE

SOAP STAR STATS

Darin Brooks (Max, DAYS)

— NBC

Vital Statistics

Birthdate:: May 27, 1984
Birthplace:: Honolulu, Hawaii
Star Sign:: Gemini
Years On Show:: 2005-present
Marital Status:: Single

THE 411

Born and raised in paradise — a.k.a. Honolulu — Brooks got bit by the acting bug after playing Rapunzel's Prince in a high school production of Into the Woods. He began taking classes and doing extra work in movies filmed in Hawaii. Among them were Blue Crush and The Big Bounce.

In 2003, when an agent urged him to move to Los Angeles to pursue his acting dream, Brooks took the advice and relocated. Soon, he began auditioning for roles on ALL MY CHILDREN, ONE LIFE TO LIVE and YOUNG AND RESTLESS, and landed a meeting with DAYS OF OUR LIVES casting director Fran Bascom. Impressed with his talent and resemblance to would-be TV brother Billy Warlock (ex-Frankie, DAYS et al), Bascom brought Brooks back to read for producers for the role of Max. He ended up getting the part and his first big break.

Brooks, who is single, cites surfing as his first love. However, he prefers to indulge in Hawaii, as opposed to the "dirty and cold" California waters. A sports enthusiast, he also enjoys skateboarding, baseball, soccer and football.

ET CETERA

Five Random Facts
— Once tested for the role of AMC's JR Chandler.
— A major movie buff, Brooks has a collection of more than 1,000 films on DVD.
— In 2007, EXTRA named Brooks one of America's Most Eligible Bachelors.
— Plays the guitar, bass and drums.
— Grew up eating Spam.

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Movies
Staring at the Sun (Smoker 1, 2005)

LOOK WHO'S TALKING

"[My first day as] Max Brady, NASCAR driver, I was surrounded by 50 women screaming my name and asking for autographs. That's the best welcome any actor could have." — Soap Opera Weekly, 11/1/05

"I'm from Hawaii. I walk around half-naked all the time." — Weekly, 11/1/05

"When I first got [Max's garage] set, I was so excited. I would come here and go through everything.... I don't know what half of it is, but I love learning about it, so I can go home and work on my car." — Weekly, 1/16/07