James Reynolds opens up about his record-breaking run as Abe Carver, mentoring the next generation, and why Days of our Lives still feels like home.
When the Days of our Lives cast gathered in New York City for the 33rd Annual Broadcasting + Cable Hall of Fame Gala, they were there to celebrate the show being honored with the Iconic Show Award. Among the stars was James Reynolds, who has portrayed Abe Carver since 1981. Soap Hub’s Alina Adams caught up with the Emmy-winning actor, who shared what it means to be the longest-running male cast member in Days history — and how his journey reflects both pride and responsibility.
Key Takeaways
- Reynolds is the longest-running male actor on DAYS, proud to represent longevity for actors of color in daytime.
- He recalled leaving for NBC’s Generations in the late 1980s, only to be welcomed back to Salem with open arms.
- Working with new Theo recast Tyler Christopher Andrews has been rewarding, and Reynolds appreciates mentoring young actors.
- For Reynolds, returning to DAYS after time away felt like “coming home.”
A Career Milestone
Reynolds admitted he hadn’t given much thought to the fact that he is now the show’s longest-serving male cast member. “It makes me proud, number one,” he said. “I believe there are no actors of color that have been on a daytime show into the third and fourth decade… So it’s quite an honor, and I’m very proud of having achieved that.”
He recalled his good friend, the late Kristoff St. John, who portrayed Neil Winters on The Young and the Restless, who enjoyed a long run but passed away before reaching such a milestone. For Reynolds, carrying that torch has been both humbling and gratifying.
Mentoring the Next Generation
Reynolds also touched on working with the latest actor to take on Abe’s son, Theo. He praised Tyler, noting how past portrayers even met with him to share insights.
“It was really fun to see that and how they handed it off to each other,” Reynolds said. “I like working with him. He’s a really good guy.”
Leaving and Coming Home
In the late 1980s, Reynolds briefly left Salem to star in Generations, where he played Henry Marshall. While that role offered new opportunities, he remembered how welcoming the DAYS team was when he returned.
“Al Rabin, who was the producer at that time, made it clear when I left that no bridges had been burned,” Reynolds explained. Six months after Generations ended, he was invited back. “It was like going home again,” he recalled warmly, comparing it to returning home after serving in the Marine Corps.
A Legacy Worth Honoring
With Days of our Lives receiving the Iconic Show Award, Reynolds’s reflections were particularly poignant. He stands as living history for the soap, embodying its continuity and resilience. And as he put it, he looks forward to “extending that record a little bit” — a promise that Salem’s mayor still has more stories left to tell.
