Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: What Do You Think of the Death of Laura Horton?
This week on Days of our Lives, the longstanding character of Dr. Laura Horton (Jaime Lyn Bauer), a once mighty force and mainstay of the NBC soap opera, was killed-off in an altercation with Gwen (Emily O’Brien). The question is, did Gwen murder Dr. Laura, or did she fall and hit her head by accident?
Laura was played originally by Floy Dean, then made soap-famous by Susan Flannery. Later Susan Oliver took over the role, then Rosemary Forsyth, and on and off for years by Jaime Lyn Bauer. In the 60’s and 70’s, Laura was involved in the love triangle between brothers Bill and Mickey Horton, which spawned much of DAYS central story.
Courtesy/NBC
Now in 2021, Gwen has a confrontation with Laura in her room at the Salem Inn. There she learns that Laura at one time slept with her father, Jack (Matthew Ashford), after previously learning that Laura sent her real mother away when she was pregnant with her. Laura had revealed to Gwen the reason she did that was to ease her guilt as she did not want anything standing in the way of her daughter, Jennifer’s (Cady McClain) happiness with Jack. As Gwen sees it, this set the stage for Gwen’s entire childhood and life, and made the young woman hell-bent on revenge against her sister, Abigail (Marci Miller) and the Deveraux family.
In story, after Laura is dead, Gwen phones Jack to help her as she swears to her dad that she did not murder Laura and it was all an accident. Jack says she will help his daughter and phones Rafe (Galen Gering). When Rafe gets to the Salem Inn, he sees a bleeding out and dead Laura and takes Gwen in for questioning. Later, Jack tells Jennifer and Abigail that Laura is dead.
Photo: NBC
Throughout the key scenes, Emily O’Brien delivered one of her strongest set of performances yet on DAYS.
So, what did you think of the decision to kill Dr. Laura Horton? Share your thoughts on the comment section below.
Laura is a legacy Horton character and didn’t deserve to die for a retcon child story. She could have left town after drama cleared, had a heart attack, in a coma, etc. No reason to kill her off for retcon Gwen whose story was another revision. Now, Cady is leaving as Jennifer this stuff is too much. Retcon Gwen, Charlie and Tripp are taking way too much time over legacy children and characters too. I’m not here for the Days of Retcon Children Lives. Too many characters being ruined for these characters and stories.
I didn’t know what “retcon” meant so I looked it up and boy are you right! This entire show has become that. It’s ridiculous. Thank you for posting.
Its ridiculous to kill her character off. Jennifer now has lost her mother and her dad just disappeared from the canvas…I hate this.
Usually I like Ronald Carlivati’s stories but killing off Laura Horton is one of his worst decisions.. right up there with killing off Adrienne Kiriakis. At least they found a way to bring back Judi Evans. I really liked Jamie Lyn Bauer on the show and wished they would have brought her back full time. I just wish they would kill off Sarah Horton if they were going to kill anyone off. She is horrible and annoying.
So stupid to bring her back just to kill her off. I absolutely loved Bauer in the role and wish the show had written for her more these past 20 years…definitely preferred her to Kate.
She is not dead. Another stupid back from the dead Rolf story for when Jennifer comes back.
I don’t know Jose, Rafe examined her himself. I would think he would know if she was really dead or not.
Rafe’s a cop, not a doctor. Sure, he’s seen his share of dead bodies in Salem… but how many of them remained DEAD??
This is Rafe we are talking about, his pretty useless. lol
i’m not enjoying his scenes w/Nicole. it just seems TOOOO forced. can’t wait for Sami to return… just to see Rafe doing something else… and i actually like Sami…. JUST FOR HER ROMANCE w/Rafe. her shenanigans grow weary… and fighting w/Nicole over Rafe… oy covered this time and again. hopefully Ava, could and should engage with Rafe’alicious
Patrick
Thank you! I have said a a few occasions lately that Ava and Rafe would be on fire, but no one has agreed. Glad we see eye to eye on this.
The Rafe and Nicole thing is just the worst!! The dialogue is forced and atrocious. Even the actors aren’t selling it. And usually Ari Zuker can turn anything into gold….but not this! Greg Vaughan is not irreplacable. Eric was successfully recast once, and could be again!
Yes!! And Yes!!
I love both Nicole and Rafe—but this dance they are forced into is so very obvious. Eric ( recast) should soon return. I’m sure many of us are getting tired of all the excuses and ‘dire’ circumstances keeping Eric away!!
Is a love affair in the offing between Ava and Rafe?
Yes Emily gave a good performance but not as good as Marci Miller gave after her husband betrayed her yet again.
Assuming he actually did. I don’t remember it being shown that Chad actually did the deed with his new sis-in-law. Things were clearly headed in that direction, due to Gwen’s deception. But Chad was really drunk and well… let’s just say that after a certain blood alcohol level, some parts of the mortal male anatomy don’t function all that well. (The Dead Kennedys wrote a great song about this very subject. First half of the title is “Too Drunk”…. I’ll let you guess the other half. )
So my theory is that Chad just got wasted and passed out, and having killed many brain cells in the process, woke up the next morning with a massive hangover, and no memory of what did or did not happen that night, but took Gwen’s word for it, because he did wake up naked in bed with her, after all.
Eventually the truth will come out, of course. Probably Gwen confessing it to “Daddy” Jack.
she certainly wasn’t lacking … to my surprise. Jake / Chad / even JJ ! I truly hope that Gwen , is not, RON C new pet and we are forced to see his leading lady sucking airtime.
I am truly gobsmacked about Laura ! i just wrote how I revered this lady… and bam ! she’s dead? she , did unhinged , with such astonishment and mesmerize… I swear to you and those who weren’t watching in the “Day” MARVEL at this woman.
Cady disappearance – READ @ STEVE summation. I certainly truly hope this. hopefully, once they determine, IS DOA Melissa Reeves determined to waste all our time, whilst she carries her star to set. Cady and Matthew Ashford “Jack” each rocked out their character’ … brought life and dimension to this dusted off couple who will never be , if Melissa Reeves returns. what for ?
FANS are just clamoring for Tripp and Ali to END THIS RAPE… it just sucks the life out of this newbie YOUNGER , desired demographic, couple that could have and should have stratosphere… this had magic from the get go… now they have this wasted beginning , like a cloud hovering over .. as we watch carefully how this plays out… hopefully they just mix them all together with the baby being focus… as we timeout Tripp and Ali. I don’t know.. i loved the potential.. and it was “ruined” and now anticlimactic. welcome home Tripp .. I really did miss you.. and welcome to DAYS the lovely, intriguing, star on the horizon?
GOD i’m so giddy any thing Anna and Tony !!!!! really bubbles over the joy these two just emanate
i have to hand it to MY LADY Lauren Koslow …w/Jake. she more than carried her parts. be it w/Jack… THIS WAS classic work w/Matthew Ashford. and how charmed she is w/Jake… I certainly do not want her to grovel @ Gabs . she is a full on woman who will pick up and stand ready.
I am so enchanted STILL , and forever, how much Chad and ABs are radiant in front of the camera.. as they REEL how playful , romantically, how relaxed they are at being in love. parts of the GWEN story were farcical… so be it. the younger DiMera … okay okay Chad as played out by Billy Flynn… WOW i am caught SWOON
you’d certainly think @jack and @Chad have had their turn @fancying the ladies… I kinda like these two… so , nothing to fret about Jenny Bear, Abs… oh god… I was just loving Cady McClain and her chemistry with this , back on the tracks Deveraux family !!!!
@STEVE’ summation : THREAD : Cady McClain to Depart Days of our Lives
I like that @DAYS w/Ron, Ryan , TPTB seem to be giving all it’s cast in’s and out’s ; coming and going ; time out for other projects… just to keep things fresh… altho, when Judi Evans was first killed off… now that was like a knife in the back
if shows NEED to recast let go or FIRE Melissa Reeves’ then so be it
this couple is more alive with Cady and Matthew. simply said
If ReRon brought back a character who’s been a part of the show – and the Horton family – since practically Day One – just to have her killed off by his latest pet, well that’s just too ridiculous for words, ain’t it?
Seems more like this is a ridiculous plot point to get faux-Jennifer out of town (for an undetermined length of time) and of course in order to do that, they would need for her to be pissed off at Jack again.
And I suppose Jack’s newfound daughter killing off her mom, and then Jack taking Gwen’s side, would definitely accomplish that much. Maybe Jen’s going to run off to grieve with her long AWOL brother, Mike?
I am furious with the senseless killing of Laura Horton. Cheap lazy writing. Laura didn’t have to die to create angst in the family.
Im a bit conflicted by it. Laura hasn’t really had anything happen in 20 years, so if the character died offscreen, its kind of inconsequential (like Bill Horton last year). So i’m glad it happened as part of an actual story and that we got to see it, and i hope it drives more story. Too often characters die but are brought back, so death on DOOL doesnt mean much and its pretty rare that anyone will actually die and stay dead! So on one hand, i think it’s interesting and maybe a good thing. But on the other hand, it seemed a bit quick, fairly out of the blue, and a bit weird in dealing with a major legacy character like Laura. But my gosh, Emily O’Brien is fantastic and just keeps getting better and better. All of the performances in this story have been great, so I think i’m willing to overlook some of the story points I’m not that thrilled with. Just my two cents!
I’m in my 50s and can’t recall all of Laura’s s/l. She might be a legacy character to those who remember her back in her glory days, but I don’t. Day’s really needs to focus on the younger generation of characters in their 20 30 40s with storylines that keep viewers, unfortunately, days have not been able to do this.
It’s a big mistake and I don’t like it. Why not kill Gwen instead? Or have put Laura into a coma?
Momo
My sentiments exactly. I’ll never accept Gwen as part of the family. A lot of people have led worse lives then she claims and haven’t done the horrible things she has to be recognized.
People die in real life just as they do on soaps. However, I don’t believe Laura’s dead; HW already revealed a long-standing relationship between Dr. Rolf (love him!) and Gwen, so that’s really that.
Absolutely HATE this!!! They could have had Laura ALMOST die, even fall into a coma. But to kill off this legacy character after so many of the Hortons are gone from Salem is a travesty! I know Laura was living in Boston, but she was able to pop into town every once in a while.
I love Ron C’s writing most of the time, but this is one storyline that just might tip the switch for me.
Great performances and story could have still been carried off in a less final way.
I find it disgusting and shameful.
For many GH fans, Ron’s downfall began with the killing off of a key legacy character (AJ). It only got worse with the Fluke and Denise Demuccio storylines.
DAYS fans should take notice and hope for the best.
“this” is certainly on the checklist
1. Sonny and Will
2. Judi Evans’ Adrienne
3 the rape story of Tripp and Ali…
4. this is just a blip but nevertheless meaningful…Dr. Laura horton? expletive
as a lifetime @ DOOL fan.. living in the bottom of the barrel and seeing accolades with award ? huh? this is STAR
this is “thank you” @Ron; @Ryan; @TPTB
remiss @ : effin yah
I agree, Rodd. I have no problem eliminating characters but it always seems to be the WRONG characters. Just like GH killing the complex, sexy Julian Jerome after wrecking his character and saddling us with T.J., Brando, etc. Maybe they should ask the fans first!
What to think of the death of a character who’s never on? Her death is kind of pointless. Makes no difference.
Good point, Celia. Reminds me of that great line Jane Fonda delivers in THE MORNING AFTER: “I was supposed to replace an actress the audience didn’t even know was missing.” But I’m sure missing Drew Cain and Julian Jerome on GH.
You bet, Soaphound—-most especially, Billy!! I can do without Anna, as well—-so superfluous. I guess TPTB don’t know what to do with her. Why is she with Finn?–no spark. No ” WOW!! Oh, my God!!”. Such a mismatch!!
The character (and the actress) has lost her mojo.
The fact that she’s Peter’s mother ( or so we think) makes her presence even more insufferable to me—-not everyone feels the same way—
What mien will she adopt after Peter is kaput?
Celia, Celia, what’s happening to our Anna? So smug and illogical about Peter Puke-O. Can’t wait to see her kowtow to Liesl when this debacle is over. I swear, this story has felt longer than WAR AND PEACE.
Actually, ithe story never did have that je ne sais quality–not with Peter on the scene. The most boring, unsophisticated, bland character to hit soapland.
TPTB are trying to turn Anna into a overaged teen ager—childish maneuvers . My grandmother said the woman she first met ( Anna) as the intrepid agent is no more. Now, Anna is just chasing her own tail, as it were.
Not Finola’s fault. Her character has been in square one for years. Pairing her with Finn was the ultimate mis-calculation.
But Celia, I must admit…when Peter acts “tough” and sports that “don’t mess with my family” grimace he learned in junior-high drama class, I’m overcome with giggles. I guess that’s more than one gets from frumpy Finn.
Oops—forgot the “quoi” .
PS. I just ask for Anna to go back to being Anna. Too many desperate moves by the writers.
Just as I see too many desperate moves on Days. The Three Stooges Saga ( Morpheus, Clyde and Rolf) continues. The story is lackluster—-always was.
So many pertinent characters were ejected but I am still hoping for some of my faves to return…..such as Louise Sorel, for one—no offense to Ms Dano.
I think Ron is a selfish writer who does things the way he wants. I sometimes think he is almost vicious with the way he writes storyline. It’s been hard to watch some of the stories he’s written. Killing Laura Horton for no reason other than to further push the evilness of Gwen really makes me mad. For how long was Laura the central character in the Mickey/Bill/Mike storyline? Laura was always a fragile character. To then destroy her legacy by saying she paid off a woman who she didn’t know to keep a child away from Jack? I’m not buying that at all. The holes in this farce are unbelievable. The entire Horton family will be dead before we know it.
#soapboxover
I would like to see Nicole and Rafe end up together and her get rid of that selfish Eric he has no business in Africa he belongs with his newlywed wife so whatever happens to Eric I hope it’s something bad. Also the new Jennifer sucks she’s a horrible actress and the new Claire all the new actors and actresses are absolutely horrible they must really go be going into a small fishing pool to get these lame people. And Jack’s a piece of shit he screwed everybody in Salem including his wife’s mother please????? The whole show needs a new revamping all the old and new actors and actresses are very stale now and I wish they would put Kristen away for 100 years and let Brady and Chloe end up together
No I’m gonna miss her shes a true icon. She. Should of stayed.
I think Days mad a bad decision to kill Laura. I agree with Louie Y, she is a legacy Horton character. She could of stayed as an on again off again character. Let’s get rid of Gwen!!! Or maybe Kate Roberts!!!!
I hate Gwen whether or whether she not kill Laura. When is a snotty little snit to I want to see somebody smack her into next week.and I would like to see somebody punch Gabby in the nose really hard
As much as I have disliked Gwen, I really doubt she is a murderer. I think that Laura slipped and fell hitting her head.
First of all I dont believe for one minute that Laura is dead.Or that if she is dead Qwen didnt do it.I have this awful feeling that Abby possibly did it.Angry at her grandmother for what she did.For her and Gabby to get together to get back at Qwen is odd enough I mean since when has Abby become cruel? It doesnt seem like her.Maybe one of her alters has come back.Abby isnt right.Something is wrong with her.Beleive me Qwen is no angel but I dont think she would kill anyone.I just wonder what Abby and Gabby are going to do to Qwen??Then again what do i know?
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!
Breaking News
53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards: ‘The View’, ‘Extra’ and ‘Entertainment Tonight’ to Reveal Major Categories in Early Nominations Rollout
As has been standard over the last several years, the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, will get a early start on revealing the nominations for the 53rd Annual Daytime Emmy Awards, next Monday July 13 and into the official nomination release today on Tuesday, July 14.
First up on Monday, July 13, Entertainment Tonight will announce the nominees in the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series category and the Outstanding Daytime Talk Series.
Entertainment Tonight airs in New York at 7:00pm ET (WCBS-TV) and in Los Angeles – 7:30pm PT (KCBS-TV), you can also check out local listings in your area here.
Next up, also on Monday, July 13, Extra will reveal the nominations in the categories of Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series and Outstanding Daytime Talk Host.
Extra airs on New York at 7:00pm ET (WNYW) and in Los Angeles – 7:00pm PT (KTTV). Of note: some East Coast affiliates begin airing at 4:00pm ET. To check your local listings for when Extra airs in your market, click here.
Then, its on to the official 53rd annual Daytime Emmy nominations day on Tuesday, July 14 which will kick-off with the ladies of ABC’s The View revealing the nominee in the categories of Outstanding Daytime Drama Series, Outstanding Entertainment News Series, and Outstanding Daytime Personality – Daily.
The View airs in New York City and the east coast market – 11:00am ET, while on the West Coast and Los Angeles – 10:00am PT.
After that, on Tuesday, July 14, all eyes will be on the lookout for the announcement of all the remaining categories via the NATAS social channels beginning at 12pm noon ET/9am PT.
You will be able find the nominations at the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Daytime Emmys website: TheEmmys.tv/Daytime Instagram: Instagram.com/theemmys.tv and on X: X.com/TheEmmys .
Michael Fairman TV will also reveal the full list of nominations when they become available.
So, what do you think about Entertainment Tonight, Extra and The View set to reveal nominations in Lead Actor, Actress, Daytime Drama, and key talk show categories ahead of the full list of nominees? Weigh-in via the comment section, and let us know who you think will be announced as a nominee in the categories listed above.
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