[2][3] Darbo is known for her roles as Nancy Wesley and Shirley Spectra in the television soap operas Days of Our Lives and The Bold and the Beautiful, respectively.

Darbo was born in Jacksonville, Florida, the daughter of Patricia, a restaurant hostess, and "Chubby," a nightclub manager.

[7] Darbo began her career with guest-starring roles in the television shows including The Optimist, Bay City Blues, Riptide and St.

[7] In 1991, the Los Angeles Times reported that Darbo was undertaking a personal campaign to seek nomination for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her role in the comedy-drama film Daddy's Dyin': Who's Got the Will?, written by Del Shores.

In 1993, she played Pam Magnus, a banking employee killed by John Malkovich's character in the Clint Eastwood action thriller film In the Line of Fire.

[11] In 1998, Darbo was cast as Nancy Wesley on the NBC daytime soap opera, Days of Our Lives.

[13] In 2000, she received Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.

Between 2010 and 2012, she portrayed the recurring role of Dr Freed in the teen drama web series Miss Behave.

In 2018, Darbo played Rosie in the Christian drama film God Bless The Broken Road.

[20] In 2024, Patrika Darbo has announced that she would be returning to Days Of Our Lives to reprise her role of Nancy Miller.