Days Of Our Lives
Freddie Smith Posts Heartfelt Message As His Final Episode Airs On Days of our Lives!
Photo Credit: Brad Everett Young
Where has the time gone? It’s been four plus years since Freddie Smith made his debut as the first openly gay main character on Days of our Lives, Sonny Kiriakis.
Throughout Smith’s time on the NBC soap opera, the show broke ground with the marriage of Sonny and Will, and Sonny became one of the moral centers of Salem.
As a nice capper to his time at DAYS, Freddie also took home the Daytime Emmy this year in the Outstanding Younger Actor category. Smith, who made the decision earlier this year to exit DAYS, wrapped up his run on-screen during Tuesday’s episode which was broadcast across the country.
This afternoon, Freddie to took his facebook page to share a message about his exit, his journey, what he has learned, and what it has meant to him to play Sonny. Here’s what he shared:
FREDDIE SMITH: “This is CRAZY!!! Today is the last airing episode for Sonny Kiriakis! June 2011, “Sonny” made his debut in Salem as the first openly gay character on “Days of Our Lives.”‘
I remember people being unsure how the audience would accept the character. With amazing writing and an incredible vision, “Days of Our Lives” and the creative team told a raw, uncut, passionate love story between two men who fell in love.
Will and Sonny became the POWER COUPLE known as WILSON! We were treated like every other couple on the show and the audience accepted us with open arms. I feel so blessed to have been a part of the equal rights movement over the past 4 years. I will never forget the journey I had as Jackson “Sonny” Kiriakis.
Thank you to all my friends, family, and fans for your support and love. I know Sonny will be missed, but I hear Salem always has their door open!”
What do you think of the sentiments shared by Freddie in his message? Will you miss seeing him on DAYS? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.
Bravo. He will be missed.
So long! Don’t get behind the wheel of a vehicle when you’re drunk anymore!
I have enjoyed watch you on Days! I am gonna missed you!! You are well deserved and openly minded. Thank you for your doing. Hope you can come back sooner than u think! 🙂
Kudos to Freddie Smith for his stunning job acting out such a complex role. As a gay man myself I found his portrayal smart and mostly on point. He never portrayed a stereotype and he , for a straight man, showed ease in portraying the tender, sensitive side of Sonny. I wish Freddie huge success in whatever he does in the future and I thank him for sending out a positive picture of what it is like to love as everyone else loves. I respect the team at Days for sending out a positive picture of what a gay couple is really like. I didn’t agree with the rush towards marriage BUT I do respect that they took on such a controversial topic in a genre that is known for avoiding unpleasant or controversial topics. Stellar work by Freddie Smith. He will be sorely missed.
very well said,he’s a great guy and played the part well –Freddie and Chandler did there best and gave all 100 percent will miss him and what ever he decide to do in his Life I want to wish him the very Best —us fans support him and respect him for a great job he’s done he had a great inpack on our lives and a lot of great memorable moments over the years that will always be there.
Freddie ia a great actor and a class act through and through. I wish there were more like him in the profession.
I hope the show will write Sonny as an intermittent character like so many others, so that Freddie can keep playing him in between other projects. Perhaps 3 or 4 scenes every quarter just so the relationship can be kept alive.
Sonny (Freddie Smith) You will be Sadley missed . You and Will (Chandler Massey) were the Best Couple ever. I really wish both of you would come back together. Please keep an open mind about returning to DOOL , No one could play your part like you do. Wilson Forever !!!! I wish you Success in all your future endevors. Donna from Brooklyn
This just shows what a great person Freddie is. He will be greatly missed and I hope he comes back and visits every once in a while. He is an amazing actor! Hopefully Sonny will divorce Will at some point..lol Do not like the character of Will anymore. They changed him too much.
Great job and hope you and chandler Massey return together, the storyline was best when the actor portraying will could act.
Freddie made Sonny one of my favorite characters on the show & I will really miss him. I hope Days’ new writers aren’t going to drop the gay storylines [as I’ve been hearing] & that if Freddie doesn’t want to return after those “months” at Victor’s clubs, that the show will consider a recast. And that PaulSon will become a reality!
I really like Freddie. I hope his drunk driving was a one time thing and is over. It is a hard thing to overcome!
You are truly amazing and will be missed I hope you and your girlfriend will enjoy many more happy moments. God bless “WILSON”
I truly enjoyed Freddie’s performance as Sonny. He played Sonny as a really nice and genuine person. I will miss him so very much. I wish Freddie nothing but the very best in his future and hope he shows up on Days again from time to time.
Only when Sonny (Freddie Smith) came aboard did I watch DOOL religiously. Freddie’s portrayal of Sonny is outstanding and superb. I was able to empathize with the character as well as mesmerized by the plots. Sonny/Freddie, I will sadly miss! I do wish him well in his endeavors…he is a class act and very professional actor!
Yes you are already missed, They need you back on days you are a very big part of days,
My wife and I are going to miss Sonny.Sonny and Wills characters helped me understand different life styes.I think the gayt community owes days of our lives a lot and we will miss freddy a lot.God bless you Freddy and good luck to whatever you decide to do.Canaan NH loves you.
Thank you Joe for taking the time to write that. It’s always heartening to see someone realize that we really are just like everyone else in everyday life. And thanks to both Days & Freddie for helping all the other ‘Joes’ out there to understand. It’s a shame that hasn’t been the case for a few others who post here – you know who you are….
I love Freddie playing as the sonny character I wish he would come back as sonny Arianna needs her other daddy and she will always be sad on the show with out him so please come back as sonny
Well if they recast you can bet you won’t get another job for a while..and that’s too bad..daytime actors as a majority are so overlooked when they should easily transition to primetime or indie films or big budgets..the stories may sometimes be over the top..the director or EP may sometimes insist on over the top..but most actors who spend a good amount of time in a role shouldn’t find it so hard to transition..and yet that’s the idiots in charge who think they know more than what people watching and enjoying these actors do…
He really could have left off with that goofy pose though..not helping for the here after..
JMO
ps: i honestly thought… prior to reading your post… that his pic seemed a little too machismo
relax FS. your looks and acting skills…. whew!
NICE
hey! a keeper, i’d follow your career… and wait for your return
you nailed it.
what a nice post.
I will never understand…. either
when one transitions from “daytime” to prime time or features’
have to gavel
“…yet that’s the idiots in charge who think they know more than what people watching and enjoying these actors do… ”
Freddie Smith is one actor among (nearing 4 decades of watching) what seems like millions
LOL…. and we’ve been witness to a bountiful of TREAT after TREAT
the magnitude of talent in daytime is tantamount…. because, we’ve seen so many pass through those doors and we have had to let go
Freddie Smith: words cannot be fully expressed… how much you’ve affected my livelihood. as a gay man… I couldn’t believe it… another lifestyle…. my life… is being depicted … starring two of the finest actors… Freddie Smith and Chandler Massey…(to STARt) followed by Guy Wilson, and Sean Christopher. as i’ve shared before… the relationship with Will and Gramma Marlena… is when the dam broke… and I witnessed a tour de force magic unfold.
tearfully… i’m happy…. I truly hope Sony / NBC/ and Days of OUR Lives forwards this epic
Bravo !! Well written Freddie you will be sadly missed by me and my younger sister who also watches the show. No one can every take your place in our eyes Best wishes to you in all you do in the future.
You will be surely be missed. You stress a great actor and played your role so well. I hope that you will return to the show because your fans would bee very happy if you did. It was so hard to see you say goodbye. We love you Freddie.
Freddie(Sonny) you truly will be missed just hoping that in the near future you will return to your much loved character, we love our Sonny
Have been a fan and a support to your career, Freddie, for all this time. Will miss you and all my friends here in Clarkston, Michigan will, too. Your Grandma, Fran, first cousin to my mother, Carmelita Corbissero, is so very proud of you! Cece
I am really gonna miss you on the show. You were one of the best on the show. Is there a chance you could return. I use to watch Days all by my self but now I got my husband into it too. Good luck with your future plans.
Freddie you made your character real. It was amazing how much realism you put into Sonny. The emotion I saw, you made him real. When Sonny was hurting we saw that in his face and actions. As fans we hurting right along with you. You are such a special person and your talent as an actor will take you far. I hope to see you on Dool again if only for an occasional visit. I to wish that they would bring you back with Chandler Massey. You two were so great together.
i will always miss Sonny i love the story of Will and Sonny and that sweet baby perfect couple
Dear Freddie,
God Bless you and keep you safe on all your adventures.
Best of luck in all your carrier choices.
Big hugs,
M
Freddie “Sonny” Smith- you will be greatly missed. I hope you will one day return.
I will so miss Sonnys character on Days He is a great actor. I looked forward to seeing him each day he was on the show. Loved every scene he played in. He played such a sweet guy.He was so much a part of my family it was a very sad day yesterday when told everyone goodbye. Made me cry through most of show and the scene with Ariana was was so touching. It gave us all hope when he told Paul he would be back. Good luck Freddie Smith and God bless you.
You will be missed on screen Freddie. I can’t picture anyone else playing the role of Sonny. Good luck in the future! Hope it includes your return to Days soon.
You will be missed on DOOL. I know that you will be back soon. Until then I wish you the best in everything you do
He did a great job as Sonny. He will be missed. I hope he will return and reconcile with Will.
Will miss the GREAT acting of a wonderful human being no matter what his part he was part of it that is why he was so good. Thank you for making days better all the time I have watched for over 40 years. Will miss you. Your first love is a great replacement. I still think you should be together. Thanks again for my hour of relaxation.
He carefully states that “Sonny will be missed by Salem always has it’s door open” which I interpret to mean that the CHARACTER of Sonny may re-emerge (as portrayed by a new Actor) but it doesn’t sound like Freddie himself will be back. I think that after the character of Sonny is gone for a while in Europe, he may return after a while as played by someone else. I hope so, I would not want to see Sonny, Derrick, Will or Paul off the canvas. Their storylines are just as valid if not more so than some of the other plots which can get a little tedious after a while. I mean, this whole Daniel-Nicole-Eric triangle has gone on for long enough.
He will be missed. I truly hope he comes back again but for good.
i have been watching Days since it began and I can honestly say I have loved most of the characters over the years. By far, I have enjoyed the Sonny and Will story line the best. I really loved it with Chandler and Freddie but Guy has done a great job as Will and I really felt like Will’s character changed tremendously when Chandler left. This Will has done an outstanding job as an offspring of Sammie’s would. Chandler was really much more lovable. Freddie has played Sonny with so much honesty and charisma. He really has done a great job representing the Gay community in this day and age and not the stereotypical showing of those that feel threatened by Gay people. I also commend Days of Our Lives for taking the high road. Bravo!
Best of luck to you in whatever you decide to do now, I will miss you, but hopefullt you will come back, you did say when you left you would be back & they said dont stay away too long.
I always loved the Character of Sonny as I do Will as well. I will definitely itely miss Sonny on the show. What disappointed me the most was when those of us who are gay have tried so hard for marriage acceptance.. and the writers pulled our first good example apart.. but it is a soap. Haha I will miss you Freddy! And I wish you all the success and happiness in the future! I hope to see you again n film , tv or as even Sonny again.
Best wishes,
Chad C.
Love this actor. Hope he returns.
What I don’t understand is why is he leaving Days? Was he fired or did he quit or is he going back to Ohio to serve his 2 year community service and then come back to days? How come no one is saying why he is leaving?
Freddie chose not renew his contract, Melissa. He played Sonny for 4 years and wanted to face new challenges. He said he knows the door will be open for him at DAYS if he chooses to go back.
I’m new to the show! Only started watching since Sonny, Will, & Paul! I could clearly see Sonny n Paul are soul mates! Enthusiastic to see the chemistry between the two. Looking for more I researched and learned all the hoopla involving the storyline. Finding past episodes online I fell in love with Chandler M. And I get get what all the drama is about. It’s a soap and happy couples don’t last or viewers might get bored!
Freddie Smith you will be missed!!!
I wish for your girlfriend a full recovery and that you can get your life in order and come back to us!
Sonny will be very much missed on zDays. Hopefully, Freddie will come back after taking some time away from the show. I hope they don’t recast the part. Good luck Freddie.
Four years already? Freddie Smith will be missed on Days Of Our Lives!
I want the gay story to continue but seriously wish they would add a lesbian story! No one does both and no one is presently doing a lesbian story. Bring Stephanie back as a lesbian. Or one of Maggie’s daughters.
I stumbled on the show one day about the time that Paul came to town, never missed an episode since. Always looked forward to any scene that Sonny was in, Freddie is an A+ actor in every way. I haven’t really watched the show since his goodbye, just checking in on spoiler alerts. I wish Freddie all the success in the world but also hope he comes back even for a short while and gets together with Paul, they are soulmates.
Freddie’s Grandma Fran Smith and my mother, Carmela Corbissero were First Cousins. Somewhere, down the line, I, too, am a cousin of Freddie Smith.He was the reason I watched DOOL
Days Of Our Lives
Al Calderon Reflects on ‘Major Chapters’ Coming to an End on ‘Days of Our Lives’ and ‘Brilliant Minds’
It’s been a bittersweet time for Al Calderon. The talented actor/singer/songwriter has watched from his vantage point to roles he loved so much come to their conclusion for different reasons.
In a heartfelt message posted to his Instagram story on Saturday, Calderon took a moment to share how grateful he was for the opportunity to play Javi Hernandez on Days of Our Lives, and nurse Nico Silva this year on NBC’s second season of Brilliant Minds. Currently, Brilliant Minds has two more episodes that will air on June 24 and the series finale on July 1.
Calderon expressed, “As I sit here reflecting on this lovely Saturday afternoon over the last two years of my life, I have two major chapters closing that have been part of my life every day for the last two years. We have Brilliant Minds. Our last episodes are wrapping up, and then my last scenes aired yesterday as me as Javi on Days of Our Lives.
Photo: JPI
“I’m just unbelievably grateful for the chance and the opportunity to be a part of something so much larger than me,” continued Al. “I (will) love Days of Our Lives forever, my family. Thank you for supporting me and supporting my decision to take the leap of faith and believe in myself and, and tell other stories. You know, it’s never goodbye. It’s always ‘see you later’ to me and just leaving with love and leading with love.”
Al concluded with a special mention to some very important people, the fans: “Thank you to the fans and the support from everyone, the lovely messages. So this next chapter, hopefully it’s not a dragon, hopefully it’s a gold coin.”
Photo: NBC
Calderon’s journey on-screen on Days of Our Lives began in October of 2024 and concluded this month. In one of his last appearances Javi was asking a favor from Gabi (Cherie Jimenez) before bumping into his ex, Leo (Greg Rikaart). In story, Javi has a new romance with Gus (Michael Ocampo), while fighting his feelings for Leo. The role of Javi will be played starting on June 30 by Jacob Martinez who takes over the role.
NBC decided to cancel the Brilliant Minds, after it split up the airing of its second season which began in the fall of September of 2025 and the back-half started airing after a long break this past May. Calderon joined the medical drama staring Zachary Quinto for the new season, which sadly was its last.
So, will you miss Al on Days of Our Lives and Brilliant Minds as his time on-screen has come to an end? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.
Next week, Days of Our Lives welcomes back fan favorites Colton Little (Andrew Donovan) and Christopher Sean (Paul Narita) when they reprise their roles for an upcoming special episode which contains Deidre Hall’s 50th anniversary as Marlena Evans.
Circle Monday, June 22 when the married couple comes back to Salem. Paul is the son of Marlena’s beloved and late husband, John Black (Drake Hogestyn). Andrew is the son of iconic couple Shane Donovan (Charles Shaughnessy) and Kimberly Brady (Patsy Pease).
According to the official Days of Our Lives spoilers for the week of June 22-26, Andrew scolds Cat (AnnaLynne McCord). Let’s remember Andrew is ISA. Meanwhile while Marlena thinks back on her fifty years in Salem, Paul arrives back in town.
Photo: JPI
ANDREW AND PAUL
Christopher Sean began playing Paul Narita back in 2014. He has come and gone from the show over the last decade. He was last on-screen back in November of 2025, when Paul arrived back in Salem for the dedication of the Tom Horton Free Clinic as part of the Days of Our Lives 60th anniversary celebration.
Colton Little, first began playing the all grown-up Andrew Donovan in 2022 on the Peacock limited series, Beyond Salem: Chapter 2. Little eventually moved to the mothership and Days of Our Lives in 2023. He was last seen on the soap opera back in March of this year in scenes with Peter Porte (Dimitri Von Leuschner) and Greg Rikaart (Leo Stark).
In story, Andrew and Paul tied the knot in front of family and friends on June 24, 2025, which followed the heartbreaking funeral of Paul’s father, John Black, who had passed away several weeks earlier from injuries sustained in an explosion.
Photo: JAnchondoIG
Michael Fairman TV also confirmed the romance exclusively of Colton Little with former General Hospital actor, Adrian Anchondo (ex-Marco Rios) at the end of December of 2025.
Anchondo shared at that time, “I reached out to him (Colton) when I got the job on GH. We knew of each other through mutual friends; so I knew of him for a long time. I started asking Colton about what his experience was like on soaps and asked about SAG health insurance, etc. We met up one night and were hooked from then on.”
So, are you excited to see Andrew and Paul back on your screens? Share your thoughts and if you would like to see them stay longer in Salem in the future, with a story all of their own via the comment section. But first, check out the just released promo for the action on Days of Our Lives entitled “Conspiracy” below featuring Christopher and Colton.
Days Of Our Lives
GH and DAYS Alum Brandon Barash and Wife Isabella Welcome Son ‘Sebastian’ Into the World
Congratulations are in order for General Hospital and Days of Our Lives favorite Brandon Barash (ex-Johnny and ex-Stefan/Jake, respectively) and his wife, Isabella Devoto Barash, who welcomed their newborn son, Sebastian Antonio Barash back on June 5.
For the first time his Sebastian’s birth the couple is posting and beaming with pride at the new addition to the family. This is Brandon and Isabella’s second child and second son together following the birth of Joaquin Lee Barash back in September of 2023. Barash is also the father of Harper Rose Barash from his previous marriage to General Hospital star, Kirsten Storms (Maxie) who is now 12-years-old and big sister to do younger brothers!
In his heartfelt post on Instagram accompanied by several photos of his growing family, Brandon expressed, “The heart is indeed a muscle, and boy, can it stretch. We welcomed our newest addition Sebastian Antonio Barash (Antonio after Isa’s dad) on 6.5.26. Lil Seba, I vow to love you with undying ferocity and without condition. As for our new family of five, we have all already evolved for the better as we rise like the lotus through the muck of sleepless nights, soul-tingling baby whimpers, and yes, poopy diapers. These babies teach us a clinic on love…all we need to do is saddle up, be still, and take em in. Isabella Barash, you’re my hero. Thank you for the gift of your love. House is full, hearts fuller.”
Photo: BBarashIG
BRANDON’S BUDDIES CONGRATULATE HIM ON WELCOMING NEW SON
Several of Brandon’s former co-stars have already jumped in the commenting thread including, Rob Scott Wilson (Alex, DAYS) “Congrats my brotha!!,” Dan Feuerriegel (EJ, DAYD) and Eric Martsolf (Brady, DAYS), with whom Brandon appears with in the Day Players Band and more.
Back in April of this year, Brandon was granted an emergency restraining order against his ex-wife, Kirsten Storms claiming that the GH favorite was exhibiting concerning behavior and he feared for the well-being of their daughter, Harper. They each now live separate lives in Tennessee.
We send our well-wishes to Brandon, Isabella and their new son, Sebastian as they build their burgeoning family unit.
Take a look at Brandon and Isabella’s new little bundle of joy in the snaps below.
Now, share your congratulations to Brandon and Isabella via the comment section!
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