Days of Our Lives star James Reynolds revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease, and the show is incorporating his real-life diagnosis into Abe Carver’s storyline. The 80-year-old actor, who recently celebrated 45 years in Salem, opened up about his health during a November 10 interview with Entertainment Tonight. His decision to share his experience means viewers will watch Abe navigate the same diagnosis Reynolds is facing offscreen.
Key Takeaways
- James Reynolds revealed he has Parkinson’s disease after experiencing symptoms that included tremors and balance problems.
- Reynolds initially kept his diagnosis private but eventually shared it with his Days of Our Lives colleagues.
- Abe’s recent neurological symptoms will lead to a Parkinson’s diagnosis on the show.
Reynolds Opens Up About His Diagnosis
Reynolds told ET’s Nischelle Turner that he first became concerned about a persistent tremor, balance difficulties, and shortness of breath. However, looking back, he believes some symptoms may have started much earlier.
“I realize that I may have had this as long as 15 or 20 years ago,” Reynolds explained. He recalled experiencing disturbing dreams that sometimes caused him to strike out in his sleep or fall out of bed, something he later recognized as a possible early symptom.
After learning he had Parkinson’s, Reynolds didn’t immediately share the news publicly. “I kept it quiet for quite a while,” he admitted, although he eventually told his DAYS colleagues, whom he described as “extraordinarily helpful and supportive.”
Abe’s Storyline Takes on New Meaning
Viewers have already watched Abe experience troubling symptoms, including hand tremors, prompting him to seek medical attention from Kayla (Mary Beth Evans). Now, those scenes take on additional significance because Reynolds is drawing from his own experience.
Abe will receive a Parkinson’s diagnosis, bringing Reynolds’ personal health journey into the fictional world of Salem. This week’s preview also shows Abe having a serious conversation with Kayla about doing something “when the time is right.”
The decision creates an opportunity for DAYS to explore how Parkinson’s affects someone beyond the initial diagnosis, including the emotional challenges of sharing the news with loved ones.
A Daytime Legend Shares His Journey
Parkinson’s is a progressive neurological disorder that can affect movement, balance, sleep, and other functions. Although there is currently no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms, and the condition progresses differently for everyone.
Reynolds celebrated his 45th anniversary as Abe on October 29, marking another milestone in an extraordinary daytime career. He won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in 2018 and was inducted into the Silver Circle in 2025.
Now, Reynolds is bringing another deeply personal dimension to a character viewers have loved for decades. By allowing Abe’s story to reflect his own experience, he’s helping bring greater awareness to Parkinson’s while continuing his remarkable legacy in Salem.
