Days Of Our Lives
Aaron and Griffin Kunitz Departing Days of our Lives!
Courtesy/Twitter
According to The Salem Spectator via Jane Kunitz, the mother of twins Aaron & Griffin Kunitz who play Johnny DiMera on Days of our Lives, the boys are also leaving Days of our Lives since their TV parents Alison Sweeney (Sami) and James Scott (EJ), are leaving the show this month as well.
Saying “it’s been an amazing 5+ years”, she also tweeted what the next projects for her boys: “Griffin will be in a few episodes of Dog with A Blog which is a kids Disney show…Aaron has a DISH commercial coming out in May.”
The Kunitz twins made their debut on Days of our Lives back in January 27, 2009. There has been an outpouring of love, support and congrats for a job well-done on their Twitter account for the twins, since the news broke of James Scott’s departure from the series, as well as the kids.
So, what do you think about the news that Aaron and Griffin are wrapping up at DAYS?
Beyond the Gates
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (NATAS) today announced the full list of nominees for the upcoming 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, and it was CBS daytime’s The Young and the Restless and broadcast television newest soap opera, Beyond the Gates that racked up the most nominations with 18 and 16, respectively.
The full reveal on Tuesday follows the announcement of several major categories including Lead Actor and Actress on Monday via Extra and Entertainment Tonight and The View today revealing Daytime Drama Series and more.
The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmys ceremony is set to take place on Friday, October 30 at the historic Hollywood Palladium in Hollywood, California.
Photo: CBS
In a statement, Adam Sharp, President and CEO of NATAS expressed, “We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television, As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
“Each year, the Daytime Emmy Awards celebrate the creativity, passion, and dedication that drive this vibrant community of storytellers,” said Rachel Schwartz, Head of the Daytime Emmy Awards. “Congratulations to this year’s nominees, whose work continues to entertain, inspire and connect with audiences every day. We look forward to celebrating their remarkable achievements in Hollywood this October.”
The Daytime Emmy Awards have recognized outstanding achievement in television programming and crafts since 1974, honoring work in a variety of genres, including daytime dramas, talk series, entertainment news, culinary, adventure, instructional and legal/courtroom programming.
This year’s Lifetime Achievement Honoree, Gold & Silver Circle Inductees, and ceremony host will be announced at a later date.
Now below, check out the nominees in the daytime drama, talk show, entertainment news series and creative arts categories and congratulations to all!
Photo: JPI
Outstanding Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Stacy Haiduk (as Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives
Karla Mosley (as Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Michelle Stafford (as Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless
Heather Tom (as Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful
Tamara Tunie (as Anita Williams Dupree), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Eric Braeden (as Victor Newman), The Young and the Restless
Steve Burton (as Jason Morgan), General Hospital
Scott Clifton (as Liam Spencer), The Bold and the Beautiful
Thorsten Kaye (as Ridge Forrester), The Bold and the Beautiful
Christian Jules Le Blanc (as Michael Baldwin), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Daytime Drama Series
Linsey Godfrey (as Sarah Horton), Days of Our Lives
Camryn Grimes (as Mariah Copeland), The Young and the Restless
Beth Maitland (as Traci Abbott), The Young and the Restless
Trisha Mann-Grant (as Leslie Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Amanda Setton (as Brook Lynn Quartermaine), General Hospital
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series
Sean Dominic (as Nate Hastings), The Young and the Restless
Timon Kyle Durrett (as Bill Hamilton), Beyond the Gates
Michael Graziadei (as Daniel Romalotti), The Young and the Restless
Roger Howarth (as Matt Clark), The Young and the Restless
Mike Manning (as Bradley “Smitty” Smith), Beyond the Gates
Lawrence Saint-Victor (as Carter Walton), The Bold and the Beautiful
Outstanding Emerging Talent in a Daytime Drama Series
Braedyn Bruner (as Emma Scorpio-Drake), General Hospital
Al Calderon (as Javier Hernandez), Days of Our Lives
Alice Halsey (as Rachel Black), Days of Our Lives
Giovanni Mazza (as Gio Palmieri), General Hospital
Ambyr Michelle (as Eva Thomas), Beyond the Gates
Arielle Prepetit (as Naomi Hamilton Hawthorne), Beyond the Gates
Outstanding Guest Performance in a Daytime Drama Series
Jasmine Burke (as June Hughes), Beyond the Gates
Jeff Kober (as Cyrus Renault), General Hospital
Eva LaRue (as Natalia Rogers-Ramirez), General Hospital
Christopher Sean (as Paul Narita), Days of Our Lives
Ray Wise (as Ian Ward), The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Writing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Beyond the Gates
The Bold and the Beautiful
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
Outstanding Directing Team for a Daytime Drama Series
Days of Our Lives
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Casting for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates
General Hospital
The Young and the Restless
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series
3rd Hour of TODAY
The Drew Barrymore Show
The Kelly Clarkson Show
Live With Kelly and Mark
TODAY With Jenna & Friends
The View
Outstanding Daytime Talk Series Host
Joy Behar, Whoopi Goldberg, Alyssa Farah Griffin, Sara Haines, Sunny Hostin & Ana Navarro, The View
Kelly Clarkson, The Kelly Clarkson Show
Tamron Hall, Tamron Hall
Jennifer Hudson, The Jennifer Hudson Show
Sherri Shepherd, Sherri
Outstanding Entertainment News Series
Access Hollywood
Entertainment Tonight
Extra
Outstanding Daytime Personality (Daily)
Mona Kosar Abdi, Derek Hough & Terri Seymour, Extra
Cassie DiLaura, Denny Directo, Kevin Frazier, Rachel Smith & Nischelle Turner, Entertainment Tonight
Scott Evans, Zuri Hall, Kit Hoover & Mario Lopez, Access Hollywood
Star Jones & Corey Jovan, Divorce Court
Outstanding Arts and Popular Culture Program
Beyond the Gates: Welcome to the Neighborhood — An Entertainment Tonight Special
Off Script With The Hollywood Reporter
Variety & CNN Actors on Actors
Variety Studio: Actors on Actors
Working In the Theatre
Outstanding Music Direction and Composition for a Daytime
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
Have Guitar Will Travel World
The Kelly Clarkson Show Episode 5033
Let Frankie Cook,” Getting the Band Back Together
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade
Outstanding Technical Direction and Video for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 104
The Bold and the Beautiful,” Episode 9511
Disney Parks Magical Christmas Day Parade”
The Jennifer Hudson Show, ” Episode 4041
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade”
Outstanding Hairstyling and Makeup for a Daytime Program
Beyond the Gates, Episode 103
General Hospital, Episode 15719
The Kelly Clarkson Show,” Episode 5033
The Young and the Restless,” Episode 13273
So, what do you think of the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations? Who are you happy to see receive a nomination and who do you think was snubbed? Weigh-in via the comment section.
Monday on Entertainment Tonight, the second set of nominations for the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards were announced which included the highly-coveted Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actress and Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
ET followed suit after Extra announced the nominees, as previously reported, in the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Daytime Drama Series – Actor and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Now, five leading ladies of the soaps are vying for the gold for Lead Actress and the category marked the first-ever nominations for CBS daytime’s Beyond the Gates when two actresses made the final cut. Only General Hospital is not represented among the actresses this year after Nancy Lee Grahn (Alexis Davis) took home the trophy last year.
Photo: NATAS
THE FIVE LEADING LADIES OF THE SOAPS ARE …
The 2026 Lead Actress nominees are: Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera), Days of Our Lives, Karla Mosley (Dani Dupree), Beyond the Gates, Michelle Stafford (Phyllis Summers), The Young and the Restless, Heather Tom (Katie Logan), The Bold and the Beautiful, and Tamara Tunie (Anita Dupree), Beyond the Gates.
This marks the first Daytime Emmy nominations for Karla Mosley and Tamara Tunie. In addition, this marks the first-time in her career that Stacy Haiduk had received a Lead Actress nod after two Supporting Actress nominations.
Meanwhile, Michelle Stafford had previously won 3 Emmys – 2 for Lead Actress and 1 for Supporting, but this recognition makes it her 11th overall nomination.
Heather Tom currently is tied for the most all-time Daytime Emmy wins with One Life to Live alum and General Hospital guest star, Erika Slezak. The B&B star has 19 nominations throughout her career.
Photo: ABC
DAYTIME TALK SERIES
In the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series category, the nominees are: 3rd Hour of Today, The Drew Barrymore Show, The Kelly Clarkson Show, Live with Kelly and Mark, Today with Jenna and Friends and The View.
“We’re proud to honor the extraordinary talent and creative teams whose work continues to define and elevate daytime television,” NATAS president and CEO Adam Sharp said in a statement on the nominations. “As the Daytime landscape evolves and new forms of storytelling emerge, we remain committed to recognizing the innovation happening across the industry.”
The rest of the nominations will be revealed tomorrow on Tuesday July 14 starting on The View and then the full list of nominees in both the main and creative arts will be released by NATAS. The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards are slated for October 30th in Hollywood, California.
So, what do you think about the women who are vying for the Lead Actress Daytime Emmy? Happy with who got in? Who do you feel got snubbed? What do you think of the nominees for Daytime Talk Series? Weigh-in via the comment section.
It’s Daytime Emmy nomination week, and as previously reported things kick-off on Monday, July 13 when Entertainment Tonight (7pm ET) will announce the nominees for Lead Actress category and Daytime Talk Series for the upcoming 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards. In addition on Monday, Extra (7pm ET) will reveal the nominees for Lead Actor and Daytime Talk Host.
On Tuesday, The View (11am ET) starts things off with their announcement of Daytime Drama, Entertainment News program and Outstanding Daytime Personality-Daily. That is followed by the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS) full reveal of all the categories beginning at 12noon ET/9am PT on their website and their official social handles on X and Instagram.
Then, Tuesday night at 8pm ET/5pm PT join Michael Fairman as he hosts his 12th annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026 live on You Tube’s Michael Fairman Channel where he will chat with some of the just announced nominees as we celebrate the hard work of the men and women in front of the camera who will be going for gold.
WHEN ARE THE DAYTIME EMMYS?
This year, the 53rd annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be handed out on October 30 in ceremonies in Hollywood, California (Venue yet to be revealed). At that time, as like last year, both the major categories and creative arts will be presented. There is no word yet on a broadcast partner for the annual celebration of daytime programming, or if it will soley be streamed on NATAS’ watch.theemmys.tv and various apps and platforms.
WHO WILL BE APPEARING ON THE DAYTIME EMMY NOMINATIONS SPECIAL 2026?
Throughout Tuesday, keep an eye on Michael Fairman TV’s social media handles on X, Facebook and Instagram, for updates of who will be expected to appear on our live show.
If you have a question or comment for one of the nominees, or on the nominations, we can encourage you to join us in the live chat on Tuesday night.
So, who are you hoping lands a nomination from Beyond the Gates, General Hospital, Days of Our Lives, The Bay, The Bold and the Beautiful and The Young and the Restless? Let us know via the comment section. More Tuesday!
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations Announced: ‘The Young and the Restless’ Tops With 18, ‘Beyond the Gates’ With 16
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actress Drama Series
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Nominations: Outstanding Lead Actor Drama Series
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
‘The 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards’ Nominations Announcement Date Revealed: Who Will Be Going For Gold?
Randolph Mantooth, ‘Emergency!’ and ‘Loving’ Actor, Dies at 80
Steve Burton Returns to ‘General Hospital’ on Its 16,000th Episode: How Will Jason Be a Changed Man?
‘Daytime Emmy Nominations Special 2026’ Live on the Michael Fairman Channel
‘General Hospital’s’ Steve Burton Shares Reaction to His Lead Actor Daytime Emmy Nomination, ‘It Was to Honor Leslie Charleson’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Jason Reconnects with Danny; Tristan Roberts Arrives in Port Charles, Lots of Nods to #16
GENERAL HOSPITAL Spoilers Promo: Jason’s Back, Drew Begins to Make His Move, Portia Goes Into a Labor
Scott Bryce, ‘As the World Turns’ Craig Montgomery, Passes Away at 68
THE BOLD AND THE BEAUTIFUL Preview: Daphne’s Devastated, Steffy Finds Herself at a Crossroads with Finn
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Wow everyone is leaving!
I can bear this
Oye!
This child actor : is unlike any on screen
a natural take after take… just supplanted
Cierra is a hoot
but this kid…
beats Emma and spence : GH
Best chidlren actors in daytime…imo! The character of Johnny will eventually return late next year as an adult older than J.J., Rory and Bev…lol
It would be funny except it might actually happen, sign.
LOL!!!
4everDays…the adult Johnny will be played by Chaz Bono…lol
Those kids were so cute! I’m guessing Ally will be staying with Lucas… that is if Day’s head peeps remember that Lucas is around.
doesn’t it just rankle you some
Lucas is a riot : a laugh out loud with : you care about this guy
the same goes, for : Mary Beth Evans’ Kayla….. hidden gems… that, not matter how long the wait… just lights up our screens
for all the mish mash’ing, wallowing thru dreck at times Daniel and Jenn
the remainder of the cast aplomb… delights
Give me Justin and Adrienne… MORE please
let s see Maggs and Victor hugging and kissing
I’m ready for Aiden to have at Hope
Will Kate relent and bode well with Man Stefano
whats on the horizon with Theresa and Brady…. Kristen’ coming… next month
how will Eve turn men around…
i’m waiting for the axe to fall on thee man : Blake Berris… I need him
i’ts been such a smash hit after hit… DOOL rules!
I have to add in…. hidden gems…. see them when we get them
T (Tad) he works the bar, his eyes have a life of their own… they just sparkle, plus he’s a good character actor… they should feature him some story
Anne: for all her one-dimensional Mean streak…. she carries herself… full load, in charge, and doesn’t give a cahoots who stands taller… would love some back story and flesh her character… she has the chops
Bev : could be the nuSami in the making… the ripe Talent… to bitch and mean it up…. to get what she wants… yet defend her choices… with lotsa love for JJ
JJ is worth the wait
You’re so right about Bev! Whilst she’s getting a bit over the top with her clinging to JJ, she’s been such an entertaining character! All the makings of someone we could grow to love, just like Sami way back when… Would love to see her entangled in another storyline.
Hoping so! Maybe Lucas will get more story now that EJAMI is not on steeling all the screen time.
Since the actors who plays Johnny’s parents are leaving it makes sense that the twins who play Johnny will also be leaving.With or without EJ with her i’m thinking when Sami leaves she’ll take her younger kids with her.However if Lucas stays on the show Allie might stay with him but that might be to be determined.
don’t you just hate this : diminishing screen time…. I mean, for Lucas… to interact
Sheryl was so good for him : I think Sami…. who would defer… for once… a child… and give, from her heart… to Lucas
wouldn’t that be a bang up job… to see
sad…. well up emotion… for Sami
So sad, they are adorable!
The boys were a great addition to the Ejami family . They are great actors and will go far. I will like to see them on another program or movie they are very good. Maybe be with Alison or James or together. Good luck to two talented little boys.
it’s the truth… the one time… I say… give these STARS a shot at prime time… complete with these twins….
have to tribute and thank them
even tho I want for DOOL
Most of the time soaps have children around as part of the scenery– they are seen but rarely heard from– but once in a while one comes along who can actually act and then if they are lucky the show will give them a chance to shine. These boys obviously have talent and certainly were given more screen time than the little girl(s) playing their fraternal twin sister Allie. And speaking of Allie why did they cast a girl who looks so much older that her brother– it drove me nuts– but I digress.
I wish these boys well — lets hope their future turns out better than Lindsay Lohan who played Ally Fowler as a child on AW many moons ago—
SO NOBODY NOTICED THAT IT SAYS JAMES SCOTT IS LEAVING AS WELL?/ NOW THATS A CRIME
People already knew about James leaving at this point when his TV sons (Aaron & Griffin…aka…Johnny DiMera) made their announcement about leaving the show with their TV parents this month. Alison’s announcement was in January; James’s announcement was last Friday (before the boys’ announcement); and the boys announcement was a couple days after James’s announcement. Looks like their mother may have waited until James made his announcement about leaving and then she made the boys’ announcement about them leaving after their TV dad (James/EJ) did his.
I will miss them so much..let’s hope we saw them pretty soon in other projects, they are so cute and natural. Love you Aaron and Griffin !
I love them. They’re adorable and I’ll miss them, but it makes sense for them to leave too. It’s not like Stefano would be raising the kids. Guess Johnny will return in a few years as a teenager.
I wonder about Ally. I guess Sydney will be gone too, not that we see her much.
Why are so many characters (actors) leaving the show. Is this a sign of bad times ahead for DOOL. It will be devastating if DOOL is added to the list of axed shows. Why did they hire DC as Aiden (the lawyer). Every soap that hired him went down the drain in a year or two. I still hate that ATWT killed off Reid to give Chris a second chance at life; and broke up Luke and Reid to prop up Katie and Chris at the end of the show.
I hope not
Alison Sweeney : is doing the same thing that Eileen Davidson did… taking time off to be a mother
I just can’t fathom… that… AS would leave entirely… and that a respite…. from the grind… is all thats needed… and that she’d step right back up to the plate… when she’s ready… I certainly hope this
it would seem… like James Scott decided to take time off… I think, these two… know… how invaluable they are to the canvas and production
I would just love it… if they recast.. Sami… for Kelly Sullivan… just to give her a shot… and back on our screens
since ED’ Kristen is only back for a story arc… of 3-4 months….
the DiMera’s are once again lacking….
I think they should have recast Peter Blake… me thinks Vincent Irizarry
ot Trevor St. John
or : geez! simply make Jack alive
rehire Peter Reckell
recast Bo : Ted King
I will always want… that Joseph Mascolo’ Stefano… have a family
They are adorable boys and great actors, too! :). Will miss them. Wish them much success in their lives.
The next time we see Johnny DiMera he will be all grown up.
So going to miss Sami & EJ, James & Alison, and Supercouple Ejami’s family together and all these little ones that play their children. DAYS really lucked out and found some good child actors and matching looks and features to their t.v. parents James & Alison/EJ & Sami.
But I’m so happy for all of them getting to get away from daytime soaps and getting to get away from some of the craziness and the crazy people in the viewership at times and not having to be used as game pieces between so many ships for their t.v. parents and their characters of EJ & Sami, and not having have their t.v. family and parents go through that any longer. So, hopefully Johnny, Sydney, and Allie will finally get to have the family they’ve always wanted with their daddy EJ and having their family together and getting to leave and travel together with their mommy Sami and daddy EJ!
Wishing these little cuties and good little actors nothing but the best of luck for their future and their future projects!
Thanks little Aaron & Griffin for playing the little son of the GREATEST Soap Opera Power & Supercouple ever in daytime, your t.v. parents EJ & Sami and James & Alison! Those little boys did a great job playing EJ & Sami’s little son and a little DiMera and future heir to the DiMera Empire! They’re so cute and adorable and will miss them, but so happy that they are getting to leave with their t.v. parents Supercouple EJ & Sami and with their family!
Good Luck on your future projects Aaron & Griffin! And stay available just in case there’s a spin-off show for your super talented and beloved t.v. parents James & Alison and EJ & Sami!
Really do hope in the future E. J. Returns and finds his sons and returns to Salem! The boys Aaron and Griffin is a must. They are excellent actors for being so young. Congratulations Boys and to your mother also.
So sorry to hear all of thiese people are leaving Days. Sami IS the show. I hope she comes back! I may not ever watch the show again. Noone else interesting on there. It just wont be the same without Sami!! Good luck in your futre endeavors