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J. Eddie Peck Exits The Young and the Restless and Shares Fan Enthusiasm, “Made This Return Deeply Meaningful For Me”

By Michael Fairman

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Photo: JPI

One of the good guys had left the building. On today’s July 3rd episode of The Young and the Restless, Cole Howard (J. Eddie Peck) succumbed to Legionnaires’ disease, and had one last goodbye with his daughter, Claire (who ran out of the hospital room) and the love of his life, Victoria Newman (Amelia Heinle), with whom he shared one last kiss before he passed.

This ends the latest run of J. Eddie Peck as Cole Howard, who first appeared on Y&R back in 1993-1999 and then happily returned in 2023 as part of the Aunt Jordan (Colleen Zenk) storyline. It was there that it was revealed that Cole and Victoria’s daughter known as Eve (now Claire, played by Hayley Erin) with whom they thought has died, was actually stolen from them in the hospital after Victoria gave birth. Jordan kidnapped her and raised Claire all of her life, until the truth came to light.

On Thursday, J. Eddie also took to his Instagram to share his heartfelt sentiments as his time at the top-rated soap opera came to its conclusion on-air. Throughout his years away, Peck was always hoping one day he would get to return to the show that he loved working at.

Courtesy/CBS

Peck wrote: “Just a quick shout out as Cole takes his last breath on the show today — and with that, this chapter of my journey on The Young and the Restless comes to a close.  I want to thank all of you — my fans, friends, and Y&R family — for welcoming me back with such incredible warmth and support. Your messages, posts and enthusiasm made this return deeply meaningful for me. I’ll do a lil follow up with a video later today or this eve. Much love, ❤️”

Photo: JPI

Throughout his daytime career, J. Eddie has also played the roles of Jake Martin on All My Children, Howard “Hawk” Hawkins on Days of our Lives, Tommy McKay on Dallas, and Roger Grimes on Dynasty, among numerous other TV and film roles.

So, are you sad to see J. Eddie Peck written-off The Young and the Restless as Cole Howard? Did you reach for the hankies when he passed away? Share your thoughts via the comment section below.

 

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His death didn’t seem necessary and it was shoddily written but Amelia Heinle can break your heart with no words.

I cried my eyes out I wanted to see the love story continue with Victoria and their daughter not fair

I wanted to see the fruition of the love that Cole and Victoria shared. I cried my eyes out seeing him gasp for breath as he spoke to his daughter, Claire, and asked Victoria to kiss him before he died. Cole was a good and kind guy. I wish that in some way he could reemerge on the Young & The Restless.

I was not sad at all that Cole left. I still believe that he lied about Claire. Do not believe she is Victoria’s daughter. Do not care for her at all. Wish she would leave, also

You know this is not true life right!!!!?? I cried like always when he died and it was so nice seeing him again on the show! We will miss you! BEEN WATCHING SINCE I Was 16 when it first. Been with yall from day 1. What a ride! Love you all!

Hayley Erin but especially Amelia Heinle did a great job today despite the show not giving the actors much to work with in the story. I felt their pain.

Liked Victoria and Cole together again – not sure why they were not given much storyline. Amelia has hardly been on the screen, much like Sharon in the past few years, and then Sharon got a frontline storyline, so hoping that Victoria will now have one too, but what that will be is hard to figure out. She did have a nice interaction with Nate recently, so maybe they are moving in that direction. Amelia is fantastic, and deserves a true love. Just please don’t pair her with new Cane for I still think that Billy Flynn and Courtney Hope would be fantastic, and maybe that would open up Victoria and Billy returning to one another.

I want Claire and Chance get together

I hope Claire doesn’t end up with Holden

ugh!

This is 50 percent of the reason I got hooked in recently after the Jordan storyline resolved. They blow up Claire and Kyle and that will end my short lived viewership.

Kudos to the three actors. They did a great job. I wish this story had been given the respect it deserved and played out over several days since the Dumas story is so ridiculous. Poor Billy Flynn.

I’m pissed. Enough said.

They should kept him around

I wish Cole could have stayed on show with z
Victoria finally found love. Good relationship He’s gone to soon.

I agree 100%!!! I loved Cole & Victoria!!!

It was such a joy to have Cole back. I’m gutted that they killed him off. I wish there was a way to bring him back or to send him to B&B. He and Vic had such perfect chemistry. I’ll be crying about this episode for a long while. it was gut wrenching. Congratulations to the actors. Bad decision, management.

They could bring him back. He was out of town for awhile. Maybe he saw something and needed to be put in Witness Protection. Fake death to make sure his family was safe.

Good idea!!!

Lol, good comeback! You should write for the show!

Your right they should have never killed Cole off that being said it is a soap opera so if they ever want to bring him back they can just say he was in a coma until they could find a cure

BRING COLE BSCK

AGREE 10000%

Writer’s are brainless!!!

Absolutely no reason to kill him off. I loved him & Victoria together. Funny to remember when he slept with Nikki back in the day. Such history.

Ewwwww.. icky

I hate that we have a good character and you had to take him away. It’s really good sometimes to see people play good people on a show. I love the story and that the family had gotten back together. I think you made a big mistake by letting him go. Not sure I’m going to watch it anymore

The writing of the various story lines of Y & R have gotten completely redundant and ridiculous over the last couple of years. I have watched this soap since my early 30’s and I am now 73. I am just about at the point that I am going to stop. 40+ years is enough; besides most of the good actors on this soap (Braeden, Scott, Case etc.) are getting older like myself and are probably reaching the point that they want to or should hang it up. This soap needs to come to a graceful end.

YES I AGREE THEH NEED NEW WRITERS BRING COLE BACK SO.E HOW

He didn’t need to be let go, he was one of the good guys. I thought Nate was going to save him, as it was told in a previous show.

First of all, “What great acting!”. I am so very sorry to see J Eddie leave, after being gone for so long! I really liked your character, Cole.
This scene drew tears from my eyes. It reminded me of when I lost my 26 yo son in 2020. I thought i grieved his death, but this scene drew something out of me that needed to be released. Y and R lost a beautiful, Loving family.
J Eddie I pray nothing but the best for you in all your future endeavors!!!

Last edited 9 months ago by Lynette

Bring Cole back, Victoria needs a win. I watched the show when Nicki was pregnant with her. You can kill him off later. Give us 75ers a reason to watch.we still matter.

I was very glad to see Cole come back. I really enjoyed his acting seem very sincere. I hated to see him go, but I understand stories lines must end but he was very professional very sincere. I believe everybody will miss him very much. I know I will. And yes, I use a lot of Kleenex watch them.

Enjoyed Cole’s return but I don’t get why he had to die. Seems like no point.

That was the saddest. I was in tears for sure it was not what I would of wanted me I thought that was a great lil family.

I think it is time Victoria have a little happiness. I would like to have seen that for her with Cole but no you killed him off. If mean old Victor can have a loving rellationship why not Victoria. Disappounted in Cole being written off.

I AGREE

Im so sad he left . I was hoping Bictoria would finally have someone and be happy. Felt bad for Claire loosing her Dad
I always liked J, peck sorry he had to die though now hes gone for good .ill miss him much luck for future

I don’t like the fact that they killed Cole off!!! Claire was just beginning to get to know her father!!!

Why did they kill off Cole

Bcuz he’s a terrible actor and his character was totally unnecessary !!

agree. No chemistry with Victoria either.

Loved Cole and really sad that the writers brought him back and have now let him die!
Poor Victoria never catches a break … EVER!!
And Claire does did deserve to lose her dad after just being reunited with him. Terrible decision by writers of Y and R!!!

Why can’t Victoria ever be happy she so deserved her happiness. Sick of this show writing of the good giys

Bring Cole back. Their are a couple of others you could get rid of. We need a little happiness in this world right now.

Cole passed away? OMG! I feel so bad for Victoria and Claire.

Cole died? Oh, WOW! I feel so bad for Victoria and Claire. I was hoping that Vicky would finally have her happily ever after with Cole; and now he’s gone. And poor Claire! She’d finally gotten to know both her parents in a space of two years; now she’s lost her father.

I’ve always enjoyed seeing J Eddie Peck in the role of Cole on Y & R. I had been doing Cole and Victoria would become a couple again and finally have their happily ever after. Yesterday’s show was a real tear jersey. & the cause for his death touches close to home as my husband has severe lung issues and has had bouts of pneumonia. I wasn’t sure why Cole couldn’t be cured until they stated he had Legionaires Disease and I looked it up. I am thankful for the storyline as it brings to light something we weren’t aware of. The Legionaire bacteria is found in water but isn’t caught by drinking it, only through mists or sprays by breathing it in, which explains why distilled water is recommended for breathing devices such as c-pap or an oxygen bubbler or other breathing devices.

I will miss Cole on Y & R. I am glad they were able to get their daughter back and that she didn’t die at birth after all and that they were able to be a family unit, if only for this brief moment.

J Eddie Peck has always been a great actor and I hope to see him in more movies and other shows in the near future.

I was really hoping for a storyline where Cole and Victoria got married and lived a happy life

Bring Cole back soon We need him marry Victoria

THIS NOT RIGHT AT ALL

Victoria and Cole was good together! Every relationship she has gets blown up! I hate they wrote Cole off by dying! I really liked Cole! Since Cole died, I wish Victoria could end up with a sound relationship. It would be good if she and Billy could end up back together. They had a passionate relationship & they have beautiful kids together too so it would be good if they could end up back together; however, I’m sure if Victor has anything to do with it, they won’t!

I love Victor Newman though! If he ever leaves Young & the Restless for anything other than death, God forbid, I’d probably stop watching Y&R!

I really liked Cole. He was a calm and solid, wise presence to the show. Someone who had depth. He should have stayed on the show.

I’ll never understand why they kill good characters off. Write him out if you want to, although I wanted him to stay, but why make it impossible to bring him back?

They could have kept the Cole character still last on the show, Victoria and Cole could have gotten remarried and live happily ever after together with Claire as their daughter that they got back from Jordan.

They Could have kept the Cole character on the show and let Cole and Victoria remarry and live happily ever after as a family with their daughter Claire that they have got back from Jordan. This would have made more sense to do it this way.

Just so frustrated to see Kyle be so stupid!! If Claire did anything like that he would he furious!! Can’t wait until their off that Train!! Boring …..Rich should know to take a SAT phone!!

Josh Griffith should be ashamed. He put no effort into this storyline because he was too obsessed with France. Awful! That being said, Hayley Erin and especially Amelia crushed it with what little material they had. Amelia Heinle is a superstar.

I quit watching Y&R about a year ago due to time constraints on my end, as well as the recycled, redundant and repeated storylines on on the writers’ end. But I did tune in last week to watch the unveiling of the identity of the Aristotle Dumas story with Billy Flynn playing Cane Ashby. He was good but I see the cycle of regurgitation continued. My God, Phyllis seems even dizzier than before and I don’t know if it’s that is due to the maze or Stafford facing another storyline that promises to get her home only if she follows the circular maze that leaves her exactly where she began. I swear, that maze serves as a metaphor for the circular and lost pattern the Y&R writers have established these last few years. And sorry, yes, I’m going to continue with the negativity, the actor playing Cole on his death bed might as well have been in a skit from The Carol Brunette Show. At least then I would not feel guilty for laughing at his wooden and utterly ridiculously soapy delivery. PS. AH’s poignant and meaningful delivery made up for Roger Korman meets Will Ferrall’s ( Cole) satirical performance. She was brilliant.

Days Of Our Lives

‘Brilliant Minds’ Officially Canceled After 2 Seasons at NBC; DAYS Alum Al Calderon, OLTL Alum Teddy Sears and Zachary Quinto Among the Cast

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After languishing on the bubble for months, on Friday, NBC handed down the decision and canceled the medical drama Brilliant Minds after two seasons.

Brilliant Minds stars Zachary Quinto as neurology physician Oliver Wolf, who’s character and the series is inspired by the life and books of neurologist. Oliver Sacks. The series focuses on the medical mysteries of the mind, as Wolf a larger-than-life neurologist and his team of interns explore the last great frontier, the human mind, while grappling with their own relationships and mental health.

The final six episodes of what will now be the end of its second and final season were already set to air beginning on May 27, after being pulled off the network schedule in February as viewership saw a steep decline. Brilliant Minds second season became the lowest-rated drama on linear TV viewing, which didn’t bode well fo a network renewal, although it had its hard core fan base.

Photo: NBC

There are some exceptional notables in the cast along with the talented Quinto that includes Days of Our Lives alum, Al Calderon (ex-Javi Hernandez) who joined the series in its second season as Nurse Nico Silva, and One Life to Live alum, Teddy Sears (ex-Chad Bennett) who plays Wolf’s love interest and fellow physician, Dr. Josh Nichols.

The rest of the talented cast includes: Tamberla Perry, Ashleigh LaThrop, Alex MacNicoll, Aury Krebs, Spence Moore II, Donna Murphy, John Clarence Stewart, and Brian Altemus.

In an ironic twist of fate on Thursday, April 30, Days of Our Lives finally revealed the actor who was Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Javi, when they announced that actor Jacob Martinez had now stepped into the role. Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming new episode, Calderon left in the spring of 2025, but will be seen in the part for the final part this month, and then on June 20, Martinez debuts as Salem’s new Javi.

Taking to his Instagram with a sorrowful and heartfelt post on the Brilliant Minds cancellation was Teddy Sears who wrote, “Thank you, Brilliant Minds. I got the call today and I didn’t want to hear, but I knew that it would come, You have to be a particular vintage to quote Don Henley from memory, but that’s the line that came to mind earlier today after I got off the phone with our inimitable showrunner Michael Grassi who delivered the news that NBC has cancelled the series”.

Photo: NBC

Sears continued, “To say that I feel sad to be moving on from these stories, this character, and this cast and crew just doesn’t paint the entire picture. I’m sad, sure. But I’m also deeply grateful that I got hired to play this part, so proud of the stories we told, and the other actors I got to play alongside. I’m excited to see what comes next, what adventures await, and terrified to be without a professional home. A quick and heartfelt thank you to everyone, all over the globe, who found us and found themselves in us, in our characters and in our stories. We wouldn’t have been able to tell them without you. And we still have 6 fresh episodes yet to air, and I do hope you tune in enjoy the remainder of the series. They’re the best we’ve done.”

As he wrapped up his sentiments, Sears signed off with, “The more I know, the less I understand. All the things I figured out I have to learn again. I’ve been trying to get down to the heart of the matter. But everything changes…Thank you, Brilliant Minds.”

The medical drama was created and executive produced by Michael Grassi alongside Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, Leigh London Redman, Lee Toland Krieger, DeMane Davis, Jasmine Russ, Henrik Bastin, Jonathan Cavendish, Andy Serkis and Shefali Malhoutra.

So, what do you think of NBC’s decision to cancel Brilliant Minds after two seasons? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Jonathan Bennett Receives 3 ‘Critics Choice Real TV Awards’ Nominations for Hallmark Series, ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’

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Many things are coming up roses for Jonathan Bennett! On the heels of the news that he is set to debut this month in the role of Joe Fitzpatrick on General Hospital, who is rumored to be a new love interest for Lucas Jones (Van Hansis), comes the news that Bennett’s reality series, Finding Mr. Christmas has received 3 nomination for the Critics Choice Real TV Awards.

Bennett’s Hallmark Channel series finds itself in tough competition alongside fellow nominees: RuPaul’s Drag Race (MTV), Squid Game: The Challenge (Netflix), Survivor 50 (CBS), Top Chef (Bravo) and The Traitors (Peacock). In addition, Jonathan himself is nominated for Best Show Host and the series participants as the Best Ensemble Cast in an Unscripted Series.

The Critics Choice Association (CCA) revealed the nominees for the eighth annual Critics Choice Real TV Awards on Thursday, which recognize excellence in nonfiction, unscripted and reality programming across broadcast, cable and streaming platforms. Winners will be announced online at CriticsChoice.com on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, at 9:00am PT/12:00pm ET.

Photo: Hallmark

Taking to his Instagram to celebrate the nominations, GH’s Bennett, enthused, “3 Critic Choice Nominations! I’m so proud of the FINDING MR CHRISTMAS and to be in the company of all the legends in all these categories is so surreal! Congrats to Hallmark Channel and to our nominated cast and nominated show and everyone who made this magical show possible. This is crazy! This gives FMC 6 Critics Choice nominations in 2 years. Not bad for a little show on Hallmark Channel. What are your thoughts on our show?” Jumping first into the comment thread was one of his new GH co-stars, Dominic Zamprogna (Dante) who expressed, “Yeah buddy!!!🔥🔥”

In the series, Bennett, the host and co-creator spends eight weeks guiding 10 aspiring actors through a series of “festive face-offs” and acting challenges alongside actors like soap opera notables, Hunter King (ex-Summer, Y&R) and Alison Sweeney (Sami, DAYS). Along the way, they develop their skills and a bond with one another. The show, which is available on Hallmark Channel and Hallmark Plus, highlights LGBTQ+ representation with openly gay contestants vying to be the next Hallmark star.

It should be noted that Traitors received the most Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations with 6 nods, followed by Dancing with the Stars with 4.

Bennett is very familiar to daytime fans having started his career as JR Chandler on All My Children in 2000-2001, before landing the part of Aaron Samuels in the motion picture, Mean Girls in 2004 starring Lindsay Lohan, which would become his breakout performance.

You can check out the full list of Critics Choice Real TV Award nominations here.

So, excited for Jonathan Bennett’s General Hospital debut this month? Have you ever watched Finding Mr. Christmas on Hallmark? Let us know via the comment section below.

 

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General Hospital

‘General Hospital’s’ Kelly Thiebaud on Britt and Cassius Sibling Drama, But Who Will Ultimately Blow His Cover?

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On the April 30 episode of General Hospital, Britt (Kelly Thiebaud) had some choice words and warning for her brother Cassius Faison (Ryan Paevey) who has been masquerading as his twin, the very dead, Nathan West.

As the story has unfolded, viewers learned that Britt knew all along that when “Nathan” showed up in Port Charles seemingly resurrected with a missing 7 years of his life unexplained, that Cassius was taking his place.

Now in developments on today’s GH, Josslyn Jacks (Eden McCoy) is figuring out that this guy pretending to be Nathan is someone else, and Cassius learns from Britt, that Joss is not just a ditzy sorority girl as he claimed, but a WSB agent! The moment stuns Cassius. Are the walls about to close in on him and his charade?

Courtesy/ABC

Daytime Emmy winner, Kelly Thiebaud spoke to Soap Opera Digest, about the story point and getting the opportunity this time back at GH to work with Ryan Paevey, when she hadn’t had the chance to before.

BROTHERLY LOVE?

Thiebaud expressed on sharing scenes with Ryan Paevey, “It’s just been so wonderful to have him back and to actually work with him! When he first came onto the show (as Nathan at the end of 2013) I was kind of heading out — it was right towards the end of my contract, so we didn’t actually work together a ton. It’s been really refreshing and so much fun to really spend time together and get to know each other and work together. I think we have really great on-camera chemistry and banter with each other. I really enjoy working with him.”

With the stakes at an all-time, Thiebaud explained how she views her on-screen alter-ego’s involvement with her more hot-to-temper sibling and why Britt revealed the truth about Josslyn to him. “People finding out about Cassius would expose what she’s involved in and what she agreed to do,” explains Kelly “And now Josslyn is digging around, and she’s connected to Carly (Laura Wright) to Jason (Steve Burton) and that whole dynamic! It’s messy!”

BRITT’S MURKY FUTURE

Britt has currently also reached her breaking point with Jason being carted away by the WSB, Rocco (Finn Carr), the child she gave birth to, shooting Cullum (Andrew Hawkes) to protect her and Jason, Marco (Adrian Anchondo) being killed after trying to help her, and Cullum holding over her head getting her Huntington’s disease medication to control her symptoms, while blackmailing her into finishing the research on her father, Cesar Faison’s, final project. Thiebaud summed it up best for Britt right now, sharing, “It’s been a really tough time for her.”

So, who do you think will be the person to blow Cassius’ cover? Will it be Britt herself? Josslyn? Liesl? Brennan? Nina? Lulu? Rocco, Maxie, Cullum or someone else? Let us know your pick in the comment section.

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