In an emotional revelation that has stunned fans across the globe, Days of our Lives star Galen Gering, best known for portraying the stoic and heroic Rafe Hernandez, has come forward with a deeply personal and terrifying story from his past—one that could easily rival any soap opera plot. Known for his charisma, rugged good looks, and commanding screen presence, Gering has long been a staple of daytime television. But behind the familiar face lies a harrowing real-life encounter that nearly cost him everything.

The story came to light during a candid interview with TV Days Drama Digest, where Galen opened up about a traumatic experience from his teenage years. Long before he became a fan-favorite on Days of our Lives, Gering was an 18-year-old model chasing his dreams across the globe. What should have been an exciting modeling assignment in a picturesque Tunisian village turned into a nightmarish fight for survival, one that Gering still finds hard to talk about even decades later.

The incident took place in the late 1980s. At the time, Gering was a fresh face in the fashion industry, eager to build a career and see the world. His travels eventually led him to Tunisia, a country rich in culture and history. The location was chosen to capture the rustic beauty of North Africa for a photo shoot. With its narrow alleys, whitewashed buildings, and markets filled with exotic aromas, the village offered a perfect backdrop for fashion photography. For Galen, it felt like the adventure of a lifetime—or so he thought.

As he posed for the camera under the bright Tunisian sun, Galen stood out with his all-American looks and easygoing charm. While the locals initially seemed curious, he soon noticed their stares held something deeper—something unsettling. That uneasiness grew during a break in filming when he was approached by a local man. The conversation began innocently, with the man asking Galen where he was from. “Los Angeles,” Galen replied, unaware that this simple truth would spark a terrifying chain reaction.

The man’s demeanor shifted instantly. His eyes narrowed, his voice rose. “America?” he shouted angrily. “We hate America. We kill Americans!” Galen was stunned, frozen in place as the situation rapidly escalated. Within moments, a crowd had gathered, their curiosity now transformed into fury. Chanting, shouting, and banging pots and pans in a deafening crescendo, they advanced with one chilling message: “Kill! Kill!”

Panic set in as Galen realized the severity of what was happening. He had become the unintentional symbol of a country some resented—caught in the middle of political tensions he hadn’t even known existed. At the time, anti-American sentiment in the region was at a high, especially after the United States was believed to be involved in the bombing that killed one of Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi’s sons. Tunisia, being Libya’s neighbor, was emotionally charged. Galen, barely out of high school, was now the target of that rage.

The crew scrambled to disassemble the set and retreat, but for Galen, escape wasn’t so simple. He was the focus of the mob’s anger. As the crowd surged closer, Galen could only think of the horror stories he’d heard—tales of tourists abducted, trafficked, or worse. Just when all hope seemed lost, a local man appeared out of nowhere and offered him a lifeline.

“Come on! Hurry!” the stranger yelled, motioning Galen to follow. Driven by instinct and fear, Galen trusted the man and ran. The pair weaved through narrow alleyways, the mob’s roar echoing behind them. Eventually, they reached a small, hidden room where the man told Galen to lie down. Without hesitation, Galen complied. The man then covered him with heavy, woven rugs, concealing him completely.

Under the suffocating weight of the fabric, Galen lay silently, his heart pounding in his ears. Every moment felt like an eternity. He couldn’t breathe properly, couldn’t see. All he could do was wait—and pray. Was the man truly helping him, or was this part of a sinister plan? That uncertainty gnawed at him, but he had no other choice.

After what Galen estimated was 15 minutes, the man returned and guided him through a secret passage out of the building. The once-chaotic village had fallen eerily quiet. In the distance, a vehicle waited. The man simply said, “Go,” and pointed toward it. Galen ran without looking back.

But the nightmare wasn’t over. When he reunited with the modeling crew, he was met not with relief or concern, but cold avoidance. They were more worried about the implications for their project than the trauma he’d just endured. One crew member ominously told him, “This is not good. You’ll get in trouble for this.” Instead of being treated like a victim, Galen was viewed as a liability. The team distanced themselves from him and eventually decided they would no longer work with him.

Heartbroken and still in shock, Galen had no choice but to flee further with the team to a more remote location in Tunisia. There, he could finally breathe and process what had just happened. The betrayal of the crew, their lack of empathy, stung almost as much as the near-death experience. It was a cruel reminder that in times of crisis, not everyone can be trusted.

The terrifying ordeal left a deep imprint on Galen Gering. It changed him. That experience taught him about fear, resilience, and the harsh unpredictability of life. Years later, it would become a foundational part of his emotional depth as an actor. When he stepped into the role of Rafe Hernandez in 2008, Galen brought with him a quiet strength—a lived experience of surviving something unspeakable.

That strength is perhaps what has made Rafe such a beloved character on Days of our Lives. Whether chasing down criminals, protecting loved ones, or navigating complicated romantic entanglements, Rafe carries a calm, grounded intensity that resonates with viewers. Galen’s performance is marked by vulnerability balanced with quiet courage—no doubt forged in part by that terrifying night in Tunisia.

Galen shared this personal story not for sympathy, but to shed light on a part of his life that shaped who he is today. Speaking with Maurice Benard in a follow-up segment, Galen reflected on the trauma and gratitude that stem from that day. “I was 18,” he said, visibly shaken even in recollection. “I didn’t know anything about politics or hostility toward Americans. I just wanted to model, to travel. But I came face-to-face with something that made me grow up very, very fast.”

Fans who know Galen only as the charming Rafe may be stunned to hear just how close he came to losing his life. The real-life drama he endured is every bit as shocking and intense as anything scripted for Salem. And yet, it’s also a powerful story of survival, human kindness, and strength in the face of chaos.

As Days of our Lives continues to deliver explosive storylines on-screen, Galen Gering’s real-life tale serves as a poignant reminder: sometimes, the most gripping stories aren’t written by soap writers—they’re lived.