Eric Brady is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network. Eric was introduced in the episode of October 16, 1984, together with his twin sister, Sami Brady. Initially played by a series of child actors, Jensen Ackles was cast in the role of Eric when the character was rapidly-aged from a pre-teen to a young adult in July 1997 under the pen of headwriter James E. Reilly. Ackles' Eric appeared for three years until August 2000, when Ackles departed.