Dear Les Toil,

There was a fantastic film done in the 1950's but the name of it escapes me. It was about an artist that did wonderful work like yours, but only thin women. The artist placed the women in fun and mischievous situations--as you occasionally do. The art and the movie were great and I will try to remember the name because I believe you might like to rent it.

Esquire Magazine and later Playboy used to have the Vargas Girls. Again thin women, and they were beautiful, as are your Toil Girls, but that was a time long gone. Thanks for bringing back that frisky art so abundantly, and thanks for sharing your vision of us large and lovely women so vividly. Nice to know we (you and us big girls) inspire each other. I wish you much success.

Take care,

Patrika

I can't count how many times this spunky, bouncy redhead has popped up on my TV screen whilst I was weeding through the endless fields of daytime banality during my lunch breaks. I honestly can't claim to be a devoted viewer of Days of Our Lives, the soap opera that made Patrika Darbo the most celebrated big, beautiful woman in daytime soaps, but I've been seduced by her presence enough times to know she's jam-packed with talent. As you can see from the pics of her (and her dashing TV hubby played by Kevin Spritas), the producers of Days of Our Lives figured there was more dimensions to large women than just being your typical erratic, affable comic relief. As a matter of fact her character is quite the calculating, cunning and cool cucumber, a persona that's usually reserved for sultry, rail-thin, narrow-jawwed actresses. Patrika is large and in charge, and that to me is quite refreshing and alluring. No wonder she was voted one of TV Guide's Sexiest Women of 1999.

Aside from her daily appearances on Days of Our Lives, Miss Darbo can also be seen and admired in the movies:

  • MR. & MRS. SMITH
  • MIDNIGHT IN THE GARDEN OF GOOD AND EVIL
  • SPEED II
  • BABE (the voice of a sheep)
  • HOUSE ARREST
  • CORRINA, CORRINA
  • IN THE LINE OF FIRE
  • LEAVING NORMAL
  • DUTCH
  • GHOST DAD

Not to mention her performances on non-sudsy TV programs like:

  • SEINFELD - NBC
  • MARRIED WITH CHILDREN - FOX
    THE RUBY BRIDGES STORY - ABC
  • THE CLIENT - CBS
  • ROSEANNE & TOM: Behind the Scenes - NBC
  • STEP BY STEP - ABC
  • ROSEANNE - ABC

Thanks much for the inspiring words, Patrika. It was a tremendous honor to receive them.
Since I created this page in 1999 I discovered that Patrika Darbo wrote what sounds to be a compelling book about her life and career. It's called 365 Glorious Nights of Love and Romance and here's the overview the book offers:

One of daytime television's most popular stars - 5'3" and 200 pounds - shows how anyone can find true love and happiness regardless of their body type or star status. Patrika Darbo, the popular star of Days of Our Lives has broken the size barrier and shattered the stereotype that heavy people are doomed to unhappy lives - in love or career. Here Patrika shares her professional and personal life story, writing with her heart on her sleeve about her hard-won victories as she offers advice - not for losing weight, but for gaining confidence, a winning attitude, and a positive approach to life.
LesToil@comcast.net