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DAYS OF OUR LIVES: John Black’s Funeral Part Two: Heartbreaking Eulogies and Bo Learns of His Beloved Friend’s Death

By Michael Fairman

Published

1 year ago

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Photo: JPI

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.

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Paul’s hands down followed by Bo’s for obvious reason reasons

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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.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Heated Rivalry’ Star Franco LoPresti Opens Up About ‘Days of our Lives’ Debut as Dante Vitali

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1 day ago

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September 11, 2026

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Next week on Monday, September 14 will mark the first appearance in Salem of Franco LoPresti in his new Days of our Lives role of Dante Vitali.

Heated Rivalry fans now LoPresti very well from his part as hockey player Cliff Marleau in the series first season. (No word yet if Cliff appears in season 2).

Now in a conversation with TV Insider, DAYS fans will learn that LoPresti is on the soap for a limited run. No timetable was given.

Dante Vitali

Photo: Corday Productions, Inc

When LoPresti does burst onto the scene come Monday, Dante makes quite the impact as Franco LoPresti explains. It seems that viewers will first see him in scenes in Monte Carlo at a poker table with none other than Gabi Hernandez (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip Kiriakis (John-Paul Lavoisier).  However, Dante will come to Salem to talk to the Brady family about his supposed fiancée Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney).

Franco shared, “Dante was born and grew up in Italy and educated at this pretty top-tier English boarding school. He then went on to build his own dynasty in finance, all the while trying to distance himself from the Vitali name (as viewers know Tamara Braun played his cousin Ava Vitali).”

“But at the core of Dante, there’s definitely an old-school quality to him”, continued LoPresti. “He’s super passionate, he’s sincere and incredibly generous, but he’s also someone that you probably shouldn’t underestimate. Loyalty is something that means a lot to him. As Dante enters Salem, I think the audience will get to slowly peel back those layers and discover what’s really driving him. So, I’m excited for Days fans to go on that ride with Dante.”

Photo: Almay

As it turns out, LoPresti taped his episodes of DAYS starting back in November 2025 which happened to be weeks before Heated Rivalry became a smash hit.

Franco recalled, “It’s so funny because I thought my episodes would air in a month (on Days of our Lives). But I found out it was nine to 10 months and I was like, ‘I gotta wait that long?!’ So, I’ve been biting my nails, trying not to think about it, and I think it’s actually kind of helped because now it’s here and it’s all coming at me from all different angles. I’m nervous. I’m excited, and I just can’t wait to see it all come together. It’s one of the best jobs I’ve ever had for sure.”

In his personal life, Franco just had his first child with wife, actress Emily Alatalo, just a weeks ago on August 23rd when they welcomed their daughter, Stella into the world.

So, looking forward to seeing Franco LoPresti’s debut come Monday? What do you think about the fact that it’s being reported as a limited run? Do you think Dante and Sami have a chance on-screen or off-screen to be a happy couple? What do you really think brings Dante to Salem sans Sami? Let us know your thoughts via the comment section below.

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Reveals ‘Class of Season 62’

Published

3 days ago

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September 9, 2026

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Days of our Lives

In a metaphor for the start of the school year and their upcoming anniversary in November, Days of our Lives revealed its “Class of Season 62,” with a very clever yearbook montage on their social media handles, welcoming new cast members, while paying respect to the veterans and “class”-iying the other characters in Salem.

The official Days of our Lives Instagram account shared on the posting, “The Class of Salem Season 62 has arrived. Familiar faces, new names and plenty of personality. Flip through our yearbook for a peek at this year’s class.”

Let’s take a look at how they broke it all down: The Salem Yearbook starts with saying “another unforgettable season,” with some group pics, and then we dovetail into Salem’s new class which features: Sydney Malakeh (Sydney DiMera), Brandon Butler (Mason Whitfield), Angelica Nero (Victoria Kiriakis), Cole Gersmeyer (Thomas DiMera) and Lorelei Olivia Mote (Rachel Black).

Photo: Days of our Lives

Next up, are the likes of: Cherie Jimenez (Gabi Hernandez), John-Paul Lavoisier (Philip Kiriakis), Tyler Joseph Andrews (Theo Carver) and LeeAnn Hopkins (Joy Wesley). Then, in the “Drama Club” section are: Dan Feuerriegel (EJ DiMera) and AnnaLynne Cipriani (Cat Greene).

Following the ‘Recess” section with some group snaps, comes “Homeroom Highlights” with: Abigail Klein (Stephanie Johnson), Eric Martsolf (Brady Black), Rob Scott Wilson (Alex Kiriakis), Lamon Archey (Eli Grant) and Sal Stowers (Lani Price Grant).

The “Salem Spectator” section features: Conner Floyd (Chad DiMera), Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark), Stowers again, and Ashely Puzemis (Holly Jonas). In the “Afternoon Sweets” section look for: Paul Telfer (Xander Kiriakis) and Linsey Godfey (Sarah Horton), Emily O’ Brien (Gwen Rizchech), Stacy Haiduk (Kristen DiMera/Susan Banks), Brandon Beemer (Shawn Brady), plus Jackée Harry (Paulina Price).

Towards the end of the yearbook, veteran performers such as: Mary Beth Evans (Kayla Johnson), Stephen Nichols (Steve Johnson), Lauren Koslow (Kate Roberts) and Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) are featured, plus Deidre Hall (Marlena Evans), James Reynolds (Abe Carver) and Matthew Ashford (Jack Deveraux), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie Williams) and Suzanne Rogers (Maggie Kiraikis) with her on-screen daughter, Linsey Godfrey.

The Salem Yearbook comes to a conclusion noting “Big things happening in Salem” and to tune-in on Peacock, where we also find Jacob Martinez (Javi Hernandez), Maggie Carney (Rita Lesley), and a host of other favorites previewing what’s to come this fall.

So, what do you think of the Days of our Lives Class of Season 62? Looking forward to seeing what happens in Salem? Did you like the yearbook concept for promotional tune-in? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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Days Of Our Lives

‘Days of our Lives’ Head Writers Give Fall 2026 Preview: Marlena and Stefano’s Chess Mystery, The Arrivals of Dante and Sydney, Romance Drama for Sarah and Others

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1 week ago

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September 5, 2026

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Chad and Belle

As summer comes to a close with Labor Day weekend, the former Days of our Lives co-head writing duo of Paula Cwikly and Jeanne Marie Ford have given their annual fall season preview in episodes taped some 10-11 months ago.

As previously reported this past July, Ryan Quan returned to Days of our Lives and is now co-head writing the show with Ford, while Cwikly is now a consultant. The new co-head writing teams stories will not be seen till late spring/early summer 2027.

So for now, the stories pick up from where we left off with Cwikly and Ford promising via TV Insider, “Fall in Salem is full of twists and turns and secrets and surprises. Dots connect in unexpected ways as seemingly unrelated threads converge.”

Deidre Hall

Photo: JPI

CHECKMATE?

In one of the top mystery’s, Marlena is still having troubling memories and she will have another one on the Monday, September 7 episode. Meanwhile, her daughter Belle (Martha Madison) has gotten very close to Chad DiMera (Conner Floyd) and as pictured here, the two smooch while in Italy searching for answers to the chess set that Stefano DiMera gifted th the late John Black and Marlena (Deidre Hall) that has some significance.

The head scribes share, “The (chess board) mystery and its fallout are central to the fall stories. Chad and Belle follow the clues to a discovery that changes both of their families, and Salem, forever. Marlena worries that their investigation/the chess set may be a Pandora’s box that has been opened. And she is right…”

Newcomers are also the order of the day for Cwikly and Ford, this fall. We have already seen the debut as Brandon Butler as Mason Whitfield, and next week you can add as previously reported Sydney Malakeh on the Thursday September 1o episode as Sydney DiMera, followed by the the Monday, September 14 arrival of Franco LoPresti as Dante Vitali.

Philip, Belle and Sydney

Photo: Corday Productions

Paula and Jeanne Marie expressed on the incoming Dante, “The arrival of a stranger who will set the whole town on its ear. The character has several strong ties to the current canvas and impacts many storylines.” What will Dante be up to? We know Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) had mentioned in 2025 she got engaged to the man, but that was off-screen.

LOVE THE ONE YOU’RE WITH OR THE ONE YOU WANT?

In the romance department, the triangle between Brady/Sarah/Xander heats up with a very conflicted Sarah (Linsey Godfrey). The head writers reveal, “When Sarah faces attacks personally and professionally, Xander (Paul Telfer) and Brady (Eric Martsolf) work together to help and protect her. Sarah’s new love for Brady is challenged by her lingering love for Xander. Xander risks everything for Sarah.”

In addition look for, “Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) and Philip (John-Paul Lavoiser) to draw closer as he tries to save the family company and home.”

Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) will also be returning at some point this fall and she won’t be alone. Who might she bring with her? And from the looks of the Peacock promo for next week’s DAYS, someone is wearing Stefano’s ring around their finger, but who … and how does it all tie in this fall?

So, what do you think about some of the highlights coming up this fall on Days of our Lives per the series head writers? Does anything float your boat or pique your interest? If so, what? Let us know via the comment section. But first, check out the action next week on DAYS in the promo entitled “Bag of Tricks” below.

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