Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: John Black’s Funeral Part Two: Heartbreaking Eulogies and Bo Learns of His Beloved Friend’s Death
On the Tuesday, June 10th episode of Days of our Lives, it was the part two of three episodes devoted to the funeral of John Black in tribute to his iconic portrayer the late Drake Hogestyn. Major kudos goes to the writers who throughout the funeral sprinkled in not only the history of John, but mixed within it important nuggets in Drake’s life as well.
As anyone watching could tell, this was a story that blurs the lines between reality and scripted drama, as the emotion, sadness, and heartache on the faces of the characters were also what the actors were feeling in that moment to honor their fallen castmate and beloved friend. Drake died back on September 28, 2024 from pancreatic cancer, while John Black succumbed to injuries sustained saving a drug to bring Bo (Peter Reckell) back to life and took his final breath on the June 2, 2025 episode of DAYS.
When part two begins, Rachel (Alice Halsey) is in tears saying she is not able to say goodbye to Grandpa John. Marlena (Deidre Hall) gives Rachel, one of John’s favorite possessions, a Mickey Mantle baseball card. That way, anytime she starts to miss him, she has something to remember him by. When nothing stops Rachel from crying, it’s decided she should go home so Tate (Leo Howard) and Arianne (Marissa Reyes) step up to drive her there, so Brady (Eric Martsolf) can stay and mourn his father.
Photo: JPI
Watching the funeral from the eyes of Brady was gut-wrenching (Eric Martsolf showed us why he can do so much without even uttering a single word) as he eventually joins Marlena, Belle (Martha Madison) and Carrie (Christie Clark) in the front row as Eric (Greg Vaughan) begins to officiate the memorial service. To begin, Eric says a prayer stating that John is going to his eternal home, and will be welcomed by Shawn and Caroline, and all those who loved him.
Photo: JPI
Next, Brady gets up to the lectern and sings “Amazing Grace,” which brings tears to all the attendees. That moment is followed by the trio of Abe (James Reynolds), Steve (Stephen Nichols) and Shane (Charles Shaughnessy) who all represented a different phase of John’s professional lifetime of work. Seeing the three men together made viewers reach for the hankies. However it was Steve, who struggled the most to speak, noting how fitting that in John’s final act of courage he saved the life of a man he considered his brother. Abe shared that if you were in John’s circle you never left. Shane recalls him as a loyal friend and true hero. Marlena has tears streaming down her face as does Belle.
Photo: JPI
Meanwhile, Bo has arranged for a picnic with Hope (Kristian Alfonso), while he is still in a wheelchair. She asks how he managed to pull this off. He says he had help from Ciara (Victoria Konefal) and Shawn (Brandon Beemer). Bo notices something is wrong with Hope. She finally admits that John died and the funeral is going on today. Bo is beside himself and wants to be there. Later, when speaking to the doctor, she thinks it’s too soon for him to do that as it could put impede his recovery. Bo is determined to make it to the funeral.
Photo: JPI
Back at the memorial, now at the lectern are Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) and Roman (Josh Taylor) representing the Brady family. Roman recalls when for years everybody including John thought he was the real Roman Brady. Through that time, Roman will always be thankful to John for helping raise his children and being there for Marlena and his family. In a heartbreaking moment, Kayla shares that while not a brother by blood, John became a brother by heart. She tells the backstory of how the late Caroline Brady welcomed John in to the Brady family, even after they all learned he was not Roman and that John named his son, Brady, after the clan.
Photo: JPI
When it was Belle’s turn, she spoke of her father as someone who had a very humorous side, and was always present when she just needed advice or a shoulder to cry or a laugh. Belle says she will try not to cry all throughout today, but will also find time to laugh because that’s how her dad would want it.
Photo: JPI
As the episode came to its conclusion, it was Paul’s eulogy for his father, played beautifully by Christopher Sean, that if you were weren’t in a puddle of tears yet, had you reaching for the hankies. If DAYS fans recall, when we first met Paul, he was a professional baseball player (just like Drake Hogestyn was in real life). At the lectern, Paul spoke of their father and son bond over baseball, and how John had mad skills on the field so that he wouldn’t be surprised if he were a professional ballplayer in a past life.
Photo: JPI
As tears stream down his face, Paul wishes he could have spent more time with his dad. Paul detailed he missed growing up with John as his father as the two met later in life. Paul wishes that John could be at his upcoming wedding to Andrew. Paul says that in the short time they had together on earth, John made him feel loved and accepted. Paul looks at John’s (Drake’s) portrait and says through his tears “I love you, Dad. I can’t wait to play another game of baseball with you again.” And with that, the episode came to end with “to be continued” across the screen.
Photo: JPI
In the annals of soap opera, this was probably one of the saddest, most poignant and touching funerals we have ever seen – not only because of the iconic hero that was John Black – but also because of watching the actors grieve the loss of a man they loved so much that was taken from us way too soon.
So, did you reach for the hankies many times over during part two of John’s memorial? What moment got to use the most? Paul’s eulogy? Brady singing “Amazing Grace?” Abe/Steve/Shane taking to the lectern? Kayla and Roman? Belle’s remembrance? Bo finding out about John, or something else? Let us know via the comment section below.
Paul’s hands down followed by Bo’s for obvious reason reasons
Everyone’s tears and bloodshot eyes were real …. including mine after watching DOL for 60 years. I felt like I was attending a family funeral. Kudos to the writers.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
Next week, expected surprises and schemes on Days of our Lives. In official spoilers for episodes streaming on Peacock from October 5-9, it looks like Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) has hunted down a very much alive Sophia Choi (Rachel Boyd), while Marlena (Deidre Hall) admits a deeply concerning confession to her daughter Belle (Martha Madison), and more.
As previously reported, Tajh Bellow (ex-TJ Ashford, General Hospital) is stepping in for one day for Tyler Joseph Andrews in the role of Theo Carver and will share scenes with Gabi (Cherie Jimenez), where Theo finally agrees to go along with Gabi’s plan, after she offered him a job.
Meanwhile, Gabi may have her hands full with Philip (John-Paul Lavoisier) whose big win in Monte Carlo may have sparked his gambling addiction … all over again, but Philip reveals her has a plan.
Photo: Corday Productions
Sydney (Sydney Malekeh) is in for a shock when Dante (Franco LoPresti) arrives in Salem. Why is he in Salem? Is he part of the unraveling of the Dominic Marino mystery, since we know he seemed like he was talking to the man in Monte Carlo?
Will Marlena ever figure out what Rita (Maggie Carney) is hiding about the mystery of Dominic, and if Marlena is truly his birth mother or did something more suspicious go on and how deeply involved is Rita in this whole story?
EJ (Dan Feuerriegel) finally demands answers of his own from Rita after overhearing on today’s Cliffhanger Friday her conversation with Marlena. Will Rita cop to anything?
Then as noted, while everyone thinks Sophia took her own life, after Kristen “murdered” her, Kristen is infuriated to find she is somehow alive working as waitress in a diner in Kentucky. Will Kristen try to kill Sophia yet again?
Take a look at some of the additional spoilers for next week’s action on DAYS below.
Monday, October 5
Joy worries about her future.
Alex surprises Stephanie.
Chanel supports Johnny through a difficult decision.
Tuesday, October 6
Rachel gives Brady cause for concern.
Roman surprises Kate.
Wednesday, October 7
Leo’s good day takes an unexpected turn.
Brady is forced to make a difficult call.
Thursday, October 8
Paulina refuses to give up on Lani.
Chanel asks Johnny for a promise.
Friday, October 9
Stephanie and Alex steal a private moment.
Steve gets troubling news from Johnny.
So, what do you think will happen when Kristen finds that the woman she thought she murdered and framed (making it looking like a suicide) is alive and well and working in a diner far away from Salem? Was Rita more involved with Stefano DiMera than we even know? Who is the birth mother of Dominic? Is it really Marlena or did someone else carrying her child? And what of Dante? Why is he back in Salem? To get at Philip, or something else? Weigh-in via the comment section below.
Days Of Our Lives
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
After an earlier post on Thursday, October 1 about General Hospital alumni Tajh Bellow’s (ex-TJ Ashford) upcoming project from Issa Rae’s HOOPAE Digital, comes word that Bellow is temporarily stepping into the role of Days of our Lives Theo Carver to fill in for Tyler Joseph Andrews on the Peacock streaming soap opera.
According to TV Insider, Bellow will be making a one-day appearance next week on the October 6 episode of DAYS as Andrews was unable to make the tape date that was shot 10 months ago on a day last December. Andrews (pictured below) took over the role of Theo in September of 2025.
In Bellow’s upcoming episode as Theo, he will share scenes with Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez). A DAYS spokesperson tells the outlet that Bellow “stepped seamlessly into the role, and the cast and crew were grateful for his professionalism and commitment, albeit for only one episode.”
Photo: JPI
TAJH WILL BE SEEN IN MULTIPLE PROJECTS IN OCTOBER
As General Hospital fans know, Tajh played the role of TJ Ashford from 2018 to his last appearance in December of 2024. Along the way, he received two Daytime Emmy nominations for his performances as TJ, the last being in 2025 in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Daytime Drama Series category.
In addition, bellow along with Y&R alum Loren Lott will be seen starting on October 14 in the new Love Island spoof series, The Compatibility Experiment. The show will drop exclusively on TikTok and the PineDrama platform.
The Compatibility Experiment gives a satirical look at reality dating shows, think Love Island! The story centers around Kelvin (Bellow) and Camila (Lott), whose relationship is put to the test when they join a reality show to try to win a the million dollar prize.
So, what do you think of Tajh stepping in for Tyler Joseph Andrews as Theo on DAYS? Perhaps, the soap opera liked his work that he might be considered for another role in the future bringing Bellow back to the soaps? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.
Four cast members are officially on contract at Days of our Lives, according to the soap opera’s closing credits on Peacock and longtime Days expert and historian Jason 47.
Lauren Koslow (Kate), Sydney Malakeh (Sydney), Sal Stowers (Lani) and Jacob Martinez (Javi) are the names that appear in the closing credits in the contracted cast members section. Days of our Lives fans also note that the series tapes ten months in advance of streaming episodes.
As Days of our Lives fans know, Lauren Koslow has played Kate Roberts since 1996, and recently filled-in for Jess Walton in the role of Jill Abbott on The Young and the Restless when Walton was unable to travel from Oregon to Los Angeles during the specific tape dates. But now, Koslow has been re-upped to contract status as of the September 8 episode.
Photo: JPI
SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED
Sydney Malakeh is the newest member of the contract players when she debuted on contract status on the September 10th episode. Days fans first met Sami (Alison Sweeney) and EJ’s (Dan Feuerriegel) daughter in scenes in Monte Carlo around a gambling table.
As for Sal Stowers, the actress had been on contract from 2015-2022, then on recurring status with the soap, and would make appearances and limited runs since 2023. Soap fans first saw Sal as Cassandra Foster on Prospect Park’s revival of All My Children in 2013. Sal’s first new contracted episode was noted to be September 16.
Jacob Martinez, debuted on June 30 of this year as the successor to Al Calderon in the role of Javi Hernandez, and has now been bumped up to series regular as of the September 10 episode.
Photo: JPI
CREDITS
According to the referenced posting from Days of our Lives expert and historian Jason 47, he shared, “It took me four weeks to realize, but the same week that Sydney Malakeh (Sydney) debuted (9/7-9/11), “Days” also put Lauren Koslow (Kate), Jacob Richard Martinez (Javi) and Sal Stowers (Lani) on contract.”
Jason47 added, “This confirms the “errors” of Lani being listed in the credits the week of 9/7 but not appearing, and Kate and Javi appearing in the credits the week of 9/14 but not appearing. It also now makes sense why Javi and Sydney are being listed before Rafe and Philip in the credits.”
He also shared, “For the record, Lauren Koslow’s first date back on contract was 9/8, Jacob Richard Martinez was upped to contract on 9/10, Sydney Malakeh debuted on contract 9/10 and Sal Stowers’ first date back on contract was 9/16. The records will be fixed on the website in the coming days.”
So, glad to hear Lauren, Sydney, Sal and Jacob appear to be on contract with Days of our Lives (as of these episode airings)? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
DAYS OF OUR LIVES Preview: Kristen Locates an Alive Sophia, How Much Does Rita Know About the Birth of Dominic Marino?
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GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
‘General Hospital’ Alum Tajh Bellow Fills In for ‘Days of our Lives’ Tyler Joseph Andrews in the Role of Theo Carver
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
REPORT: ‘Days of our Lives’ Puts Four Actors On Contract
‘Beyond the Gates’ Honors HBCU Tradition with Banneker University Homecoming Episodes
Alley Mills Returns to ‘General Hospital’ as Heather Webber
Judith Light Joins Cast of ‘Shrinking’ Season 4 in Recurring Role
‘Beyond the Gates’ Marquita Goings Delivers the ‘Power Performance of the Week’
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Sonny Tells Dante, “I Don’t Want a Son Like You,” While Michael Tells Brook Lynn to Bide Her Time Till Chase and Willow Have an Affair
GH Alum Tajh Bellow and Y&R Alum Loren Lott Star in New Tiktok and Microdrama ‘Love Island’ Spoof
GENERAL HOSPITAL: Ava and Drew Revealed to be Behind Framing Sonny for Sidwell’s Prison Beatdown
DANCING WITH THE STARS: Britt Stewart Visibly Upset After Shocking Elimination with Taylor Hanson
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