Soap Vet Judi Evans Loses Son At 23

Days of Our Lives star Judi Evans (ex-Adrienne/Bonnie) has suffered a tragic loss, every parent’s worst nightmare. Her beloved son, Austin Michael Luciano, passed away on Friday, December 13. He was 23 years old. At press time, no cause of death was released.

Condolences To Judi Evans

Soap fans who watched Evans on Another World, where she played Paulina Cory in the 1990s, followed along with the actress’ real-life pregnancy after Paulina became pregnant, too. Evans gave birth to her son on May 26, 1996. Luciano earned his first acting credit playing Dante, Paulina’s son with husband Joe Carlino (Joseph Barbara) from 1997-98.

Luciano earned another daytime credit when he appeared on DAYS in 2005 as a child in the hospital. This was when his mom was playing the role of Bonnie. Mother and son recently shared the screen again in the 2019 movie I Am Not for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking. According to IMDB, the film was set for release this past Saturday, December 14 — one day after Luciano’s death.

Evans was thrilled to be working once more with her son. “[H]uge bonus,” the actress tweeted last year. “My son Austin Michael Luciano was cast as Brent in the film…..can’t wait to see him work his magic!!!”

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The movie, directed by Romane Simon, also features actor Dustin Ardine, who shared his thoughts on Twitter upon learning of Luciano’s death. “Sorry to hear the news that my friend Austin Michael Luciano has passed away!” Ardine posted. “I acted with Austin and his mother @TheJudiEvans in an upcoming film. It was such a pleasure to be onset with both of them. Had loads of fun with Austin on set. Rest In Peace my friend!”

Evans became an instant fan favorite in 1983 as Beth Raines on Guiding Light, the beloved ingenue who fell in love with tortured rich boy Phillip Spaulding (Grant Aleksander).

In 1984, she became GL’s first Daytime Emmy acting winner when she took home the statuette for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series. She vacated her GL role in 1986 and before the year ended, she had landed in Salem as DAYS’ Adrienne, who was paired with Justin Kiriakis (Wally Kurth).

Next came AW, and then, a return to DAYS where Evans was cast as Bonnie in 2003. She’s played both Adrienne and Bonnie on and off ever since. Sadly, Luciano’s grandfather, Frank M. “Scooter” Luciano of Saddle Brook, NJ, passed away on October 3, 2019. Soap Hub sends its sincere condolences to Evans, her husband, Michael, and the entire Evans-Luciano family.