The television landscape is shaped by few dynasties as enduring as the one behind Days of Our Lives, a cornerstone of American daytime television that has captivated audiences for decades. At the heart of this generational legacy is the Corday family, whose creative vision established one of NBC’s most iconic daytime dramas. Ted and Betty Corday co-created the beloved series in 1965, building the narrative foundation of the show around the central struggles and triumphs of the fictional Horton family. Following Ted Corday’s passing just a year after the show’s debut, Betty Corday stepped forward to run the production with a steady hand for two decades, securing the soap opera’s place in television history.
The family’s creative footprint eventually expanded to include the next generation. Ken Corday, the son of Ted and Betty, initially pursued a different artistic path as a jazz musician and composer. However, the pull of the family business proved strong, and he officially joined the production company in 1977. His early contributions to the series involved crafting music cues and background scores, embedding his own artistic sensibilities into the sonic identity of Salem. Under the meticulous mentorship of his mother, Ken immersed himself in every facet of television production. By 1986, he had assumed the roles of executive producer and CEO of Corday Productions. Today, he continues to steer the sprawling enterprise, successfully managing the historic series through its modern-day evolution, including its milestone transition from traditional broadcast television to streaming exclusively on NBCUniversal’s Peacock platform.
This sweeping new era for the long-running soap opera has coincided with notable transitions in Ken Corday’s personal life. Following the amicable conclusion of his long-term marriage to his then-wife Sherry in 2024, Corday embarked on a new chapter, establishing a new residence and subsequently marrying Paula Fabiana Corday. With these personal updates settling into place, the sprawling Toluca Lake estate that Corday and his former wife once shared has officially been introduced to the real estate market, signaling a major lifestyle shift for the veteran television executive.
The magnificent property, nestled in the prestigious Los Angeles enclave of Toluca Lake, has a deep history with its owner. Corday originally acquired the prime piece of real estate in September 1980 for $445,000, long before the neighborhood evolved into one of the most tightly held and affluent celebrity enclaves in the greater Los Angeles area. Decades later, in 2005, Corday commissioned renowned traditional architect Kevin A. Clark to completely reimagine the site. Clark designed a sprawling, approximately 10,700-square-foot English country-style manor, which was completed the very same year.
Now, after nearly two decades in the custom-built sanctuary, the estate has been listed for the first time ever with Craig Strong of Compass. The property carries an asking price just shy of $17 million. Real estate experts note that a completed transaction near this ambitious asking price would cement the sale as one of the most significant and expensive real estate deals in the history of the Toluca Lake neighborhood.
Tucked securely behind private gates and lush, manicured hedges on a rare, nearly one-acre parcel of land, the grand estate enjoys a prime location near Toluca Lake Village and the historic Lakeside Golf Club. The architectural exterior combines classic white clapboard with sophisticated stone accents, establishing an understated yet luxurious aesthetic that defines traditional English country manors. Spanning a total of seven bedrooms and 13 bathrooms across three distinct levels, the residence balances monumental scale with intimate, livable spaces. The interior levels are easily accessible via a stately staircase or a convenient elevator, showcasing high-end finishes throughout, including wide-plank hardwood floors, soaring beamed ceilings, numerous traditional fireplaces, and extensive banks of French doors that open seamlessly to the verdant outdoor grounds.
A welcoming porch entry invites visitors into the main level of the home, which is designed for both grand-scale entertaining and comfortable daily living. Among the primary gathering spaces is a sophisticated step-down living room, highlighted by a custom arched architectural niche that has been specifically tailored to house a baby grand piano, nodding to Corday’s lifelong background as a musician. This room flows naturally into an adjacent formal dining room, a richly appointed wood-paneled study, and a private executive office. Further into the main level, a dedicated bar alcove and a spacious family room connect directly to a rustic, chef-caliber kitchen equipped with a large eat-in center island and a bright, cozy breakfast nook.
Ascending to the upper level reveals a palatial primary retreat designed as a private sanctuary for the homeowner. The suite features its own private balcony overlooking the manicured grounds, alongside dual custom closets and two separate luxury bathrooms. Meanwhile, the lower entertaining level of the manor is dedicated entirely to recreation and wellness. It houses a professional-grade screening room equipped with its own integrated bar, a comprehensive fitness and wellness space for physical conditioning, and a climate-controlled wine cellar that connects directly to an intimate tasting room.
The exterior grounds are equally impressive, offering an expansive private resort experience within the city. A large, sparkling swimming pool with an integrated inset spa serves as the focal point of the backyard. Surrounding the pool are meticulously maintained lawns, lush landscaping, and an expansive outdoor entertaining pavilion complete with a built-in fireplace, an open-air dining area, and a professional barbecue setup. Additional amenities on the sprawling estate include a detached guesthouse featuring its own functional kitchenette and bathroom, providing comfortable independent quarters for visiting family members or staff, alongside a convenient two-car garage.
