Who is Dante Vitali on Days of our Lives? Franco LoPresti Drops Clues Before Salem Debut
On Monday, September 14, Days of Our Lives fans will get their first look at Sami Brady’s (Alison Sweeney) fiancé, Dante Vitali, played by Heated Rivalry star Franco LoPresti. In the lead-up to his debut, LoPresti opened up about his new role to TV Insider.
Franco LoPresti Says Not to Underestimate Dante Vitali
While Sami shared the news of her engagement to Dante during a visit to Salem in 2025, the character has only been talked about, never seen. So, what can fans expect from the mysterious newcomer, who is a member of the mafia-affiliated Vitali clan and a cousin to Ava (Tamara Braun)?
According to LoPresti, the Italian-born Dante has been “trying to distance himself from the Vitali name” and the criminality associated with it. To that end, he left Italy for a fancy education at an elite boarding school in England, then built a financial empire of his own. And though the actor described the character as “sincere and incredibly generous,” he warned that Dante is someone who prizes loyalty, and “he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate.
Though LoPresti — and Dante — will only be on the show for a limited run, LoPresti hinted that over the course of his time in Salem, viewers will “discover what’s really driving him.”
The DAYS audience will first encounter Dante in Monte Carlo, where he will be seen interacting with Sami’s daughter Sydney (Sydney Malakeh) as he faces off with Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier) at the poker table.
LoPresti shot his debut scenes as Dante almost a year ago and spoke highly of his experience on DAYS, calling it “one of the best jobs I’ve ever had.”
Only a few weeks later, the actor started another high-profile gig: playing Cliff Marleau on the hit hockey romance series Heated Rivalry. Of its great success, LoPresti said “there was always something special” in the energy on set. “So, when it blew up as it did, first and foremost, it was extremely deserved.”
Are you looking forward to LoPresti’s debut as Dante? Sound off in the comments!
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