Brian Autenrieth

Brian started on Days at the age of 4. In 1984, he won a Soap Opera Award for Outstanding Youth Actor for his portrayal of Zachary. When he left Days, he went on to Santa Barbara, where he played Brandon Capwell.

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Brian Autenrieth

Zachary Parker

Zachary was just about ready to go home from the hospital. He asked Megan {Cheryl-Ann Wilson} where Bo was. Megan, in her typical selfish way, said Bo was working so that he'd be able to buy lots of toys and special things for them. Zachary looked sad and said he didn't care.

With Zach's response, Megan decided he was cranky and needed to rest. She told Zach to say goodbye to everyone. Neil {Joe Gallison} reminded Megan that Zach would go home in a few days and she needed a place for him to go. She said she was still looking, but she was actually hoping that Bo would take them in.

Bo got a wonderful greeting from Zach. Then his mother, Diane, appeared from behind the door. Zach gave her a big hug and said, "Mommy, Mommy, you're back!" Megan was shocked and furious.

Zach showed Diane his new toys. He was very excited about the snow globe Bo bought for him, which had a "snow storm" inside. Zach told Diane that Bo had been gone for a long time. She promised him that they were both back for good. She then pulled Zach onto her lap.

Zach told his mom that he'd missed her. Diane said she'd missed him too. Then they hugged.

Zach asked his mom if she was going to come and live with him. She said, no, he would come live with her. Megan blew up at Diane at the suggestion. Diane told Megan that the idea wasn't nonsense as she claimed. He was her son, not Megan's.

Bo asked Zach to come over to see him so he could find out how he was doing. Zach said that he was OK now that Bo was back, but he was a little mixed up. Bo told him he'd help clear those things up for him. Megan had told Zach that she was his new mom, so Zach didn't understand why his real mom had returned.

Bo told Zach to go and pack some of his things, as if he was going camping. Zach said "Sure" and ran out of the room. Bo wanted some time to talk with Diane and Megan.

Megan and Diane were screaming at each other when Zach came back into the room to ask if he could take his teddy bear. Megan virtually ignored Zach, while Diane came to comfort him and told him he could take whatever he wanted and that they'd be leaving soon.

Megan threatened to charge Diane with kidnapping. Bo told her to go right ahead and do so because Diane was Zachary's mom. Poor Zach had such a sad look on his face, being caught right in the middle.

Diane decided Megan was right. She didn't want to drag Zach into a custody battle. She said she'd have to leave him for now. Bo said they'd get him back real soon. Zach asked Bo if he would come and see him. Bo promised he would.

Diane gave him a goodbye hug and said, "I love you baby." Zach said, "I love you too." After finally being reunited with her son, she had to leave him again.

Zach was so sad to see his mother leave. He gave her a little goodbye wave.

Bo spent the night with Zach on the couch to comfort him. {Photo courtesy Jennifer Tse}

Zach's bear was very special to him since it was a gift from Bo. He had it with him most of the time. {Photo courtesy Jennifer Tse}

Here's Zach in his Halloween costume in 1984. He went to visit Carrie. {Photo courtesy Jennifer Tse}

Zach spent Christmas at the Bradys in 1984 and found a friend in Carrie {Andrea Barber}.

On February 5, 1985, Brian appeared on The A-Team as a "Kid" in "Road Games." It was his only non-soap role. {photos courtesy Vera}

Here, Brian is dressed up for Bo and Hope's wedding in England in 1985. He was the ringbearer and Andrea Barber {Carrie} was the flower girl.

Zach and Carrie {Andrea Barber} walked down the aisle together.

While appearing on Days, Brian did a guest spot on Santa Barbara. In a flashback in May 1985, he appeared as Marcello Armonti. He was Sophia Capwell's stepson. He blamed CC for the death of his parents in World War II. {pics courtesy Vera}

Marcello also added a "confession note" to Channing Capwell, Jr.'s murder typed by Peter Flint, making it look as if Peter killed Channing, Jr. Marcello was responsible for the fire at the Capwell hotel. It began in the hotel basement after a machine gun rigged by Marcello to kill C.C. Capwell shot an electrical box, which ignited some oily rags. {pics courtesy Vera}

This is one of the pics Brian sent to fans who asked for an autograph. Good to know he still looks like a typical kid.

Brian and Peter Reckell {Bo} playing around on the set. This photo was taken just before he left the role of Zach.

After leaving Days, Brian appeared on Santa Barbara as Brandon Capwell. Just after Christmas 1985, Gina kidnapped Brandon and took him away with her. He wasn't too sure about the whole thing. {pics courtesy Vera}

Gina had been in an institution. She escaped so she could go get her son. No one was letting her see him. She left a note with Santana and the Capwells letting them know that she had him and he would be safe. {pics courtesy Vera}

Brandon was keeping watch to see if anyone was following them. He didn't know what to think. {pics courtesy Vera}

Brian is now in his mid-20s. In 2006, he posed with a local newspaper, The Acorn, with his friends while visiting Mexico. From left are Noel, Brian and Mike. Later that year, he became the subject of a portrait by Martin Chiu. {pics courtesy The Acorn and Martin Chiu}

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