Days Of Our Lives
Soap World Shares Their Sorrow On The Passing Of Florence Henderson

Photo Credit: HutchinsPhoto.com
The entertainment world is a little less brighter today following the news on Thanksgiving evening that America’s mom Florence Henderson, best known and beloved for her role as Carol Brady on the 70’s sitcom, The Brady Bunch, had passed away at age 82.
Henderson died of heart failure at Cedar-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles surrounded by her children and loved ones. Her manager, Kayla Pressman said that her death was unexpected. Henderson had not been sick and earlier this week, she attended a taping of ABC’s Dancing with the Stars to cheer on Maureen McCormick, who played her TV daughter Marcia Brady.
For decades and revivals of The Brady Bunch, she was the mom we all wished we had, and even Florence herself had noted on a TV interview: “I created the kind of mother that I wished I’d had, and I think everyone longs for.” Florence’s enduring career started with her first big break in 1951 when she was offered a starring role in the musical Oklahoma! Her voice carried her to a successful Broadway career, and eventually she began landing high-profile television gigs. In 1959 she was on set as the first NBC “Today Girl”, and in 1962, she became the first woman to guest host the Tonight Show.
Over the last 24 hours, the soap opera world has been shocked and saddened with the news of Henderson’s passing. Here are a just a sampling of some of the stars and more who took to social media to share their grief.
Y&R’s Melody Thomas Scott (Nikki) and husband Ed Scott (B&B producer) : “We will miss our good friend FlorenceHenderson. So charming and gracious and funny. RIP Flo. Xo”

Photo: Hulton Archive/Getty Images
DAYS Bill Hayes (Doug): “Deeply saddened to learn that my sweet friend Florence Henderson passed away. Yes, Florence Henderson and I worked together a lot, 1954, 1957, 1958, 1959, 1960, 1962. We had a terrific act. You’d have loved it! For three years, Florence and I did all the commercials for Oldsmobile. They were musical and FUN!!!”
B&B’s Sean Kanan (Deacon): “Florence Henderson helped raise my generation. When I finally met her she was such a warm person. She will be so missed.”
OLTL’s Robin Strasser (Ex-Dorian): “Florence Henderson Was at ‘DWTS’ Days Before She Died …A true hottie-She didn’t “sit it out” Brava RIP”
GH’s Kathleen Gati (Liesl): “My heart is broken! Grew up watching & loving #RIP FlorenceHenderson @ItsFloHenderson @TODAYshow Sending love to her family, friends & fans.”
NATAS (Daytime Emmys): “NATAS would like to extend our condolences to the family of Florence Henderson. We have lost one of the truly great entertainers. From Broadway to films and Daytime to Primetime, Florence was not only America’s Favorite TV Mom, but television royalty as the first Today Show Girl on NBC to her own Daytime talk show and, of course, the iconic role of Mrs. Brady on The Brady Bunch as well as being one of the first women to have her career recognized by The Smithsonian in DC as a ‘Legendary Lady of Stage and Screen.’ Florence will miss you tremendously!”
Susan Olsen (Guest starred on Y&R and played Cindy Brady on The Brady Bunch): “Of course we are all devastated by the loss of our TV Mom, but four magnificent human beings are proof that Florence was a wonderful mother in real life. It is for them that my heart is aching.”
Knots Landing’s Donna Mills (Ex-Abby): “Today we lost one of my most favorite people and closest friends. You were such a fiery light in my life and you will be so greatly missed. Forever in our hearts rest peacefully dear Flo.”
On-Air On-Soaps heart goes out to all of Florence’s family, and in particular, her wonderful daughter, Barbara Chase, who all of us in daytime have had the pleasure of knowing and working with in her position at the Television Academy.
Now, share your condolences, remembrances and thoughts on the passing of Florence Henderson in the comment section below.
It’s very sad and shocking. I just saw her in the DWTS audience.
RIP Flo
Years ago, in a special edition of “Soap Opera Digest,” I read that Florence Henderson had been a fan of “Days of Our Lives.”
Florence and Bill Hayes (Doug Williams, DAYS) were billed as “The Singing Sweethearts” in singing tours. Their partnership began with a series of Oldsmobile commercials. Here is one commercial:
4ever DAYS…loved your link. What a classic find, ( the jingle aka The Music Man…so you say you got trouble…) thanks!
This is such sad news, especially to everyone old enough to remember when “The Brady Bunch” was on ABC every Friday night. It is sad to think we just recently saw her in the audience of “Dancing With the Stars,” looking beautiful as ever. There have been so many celebrity deaths (Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Natalie Cole) and ones that impact the soap world (Claire Labine, Agnes Nixon, Larkin Malloy).
She MATTERED!
Wow this is so sad, Florence was a classy sassy lady. Loved her on the Brady Bunch. RIP my dear lady.
R.I.P. FLORENCE HENDERSON
Florence Henderson was an icon, may she rest in peace.
I always admired how energetic and alive she was well into her 80s. So sad to hear this news.
So sad to hear she passed away, awesome lady, I saw her in Illinois @ one of her outings, she was a breath of fresh air, couldn’t go a week without watching her on Brady Bunch, what a great mom she was on the show, will miss her smiling face, prayers to her family
…a lovely lady, indeed. RIP
Beautiful, hard-working, faith-based (which she shared in her memoir), joyfully talented, she seemed as if she’d be with us forever–her vibrant nurturing spirit surrounds us, always. #LovelyLady
Flo was a great actress I always watch the Brady Bunch you will be missed RIP
I’m sad but she will live on forever as carol Brady and people will discover that show and love her as their fave tv mom and how great is that?
OH, MY GOD!!!!! I am VERY, VERY SHOCKED AND EVEN MORE SADDENED by the sudden death of Florence Henderson!!!!! She was such an A+ CLASS ACT ALL THE WAY!!!!! I was such a BIG FAN of Miss Florence. You will be TRULY MISSED, Miss Florence. Rest In Peace.
Amen.
Like many people I was shocked to hear of Florence Henderson’s passing. She was such a youthful, pretty woman and so very alive! Saddened to hear it…I can see her smiling face/apple cheeks…
Our beloved TV mom is gone. Who will remind us not to play ball in the house? Bless the Henderson family.
Florence Henderson’s life truly was “the story of a lovely lady!” She will be missed….
My generation lost one of the best TV moms one could ever hope for – RIP, Ms. Henderson and thank you.
Ms. Henderson should have been a bigger celebrity. She had more talent than most. The early 50s Florence was chosen lead in “Oklahoma ‘ the musical by great Rogers and Hammerstein. Her voice was operatic but also comical and theatrical. God bless you and your family.
I hope they dim the theater lights on Broadway for her soon.
Days Of Our Lives
DAYS OF OUR LIVES: Sophia Seemingly Plans to End Her Life, But Not Before Setting Fire to Johnny’s Apartment With Him Trapped Inside
The final few moments of the Thursday, April 30 episode of Days of our Lives, will pave the way, to what just may be the end of Sophia Choi’s (Rachel Boyd) life, but not as you may think!
After an unhinged Sophia paid a visit to Johnny DiMera (Carson Boatman), maced him in the eyes, knocked him out and then tied up to a chair, now conscious, she lets him know that she holds him responsible for all the trouble and trauma she has gone through from adopting her child, and her being sent to a mental institution.
So instead of the unregistered gun Kristen (Stacy Haiduk) gave her to finish off Johnny, Sophia sets up a plan to light candle, use nail polish remover and turn on the gas on the stove to ultimately create a mass explosion, which although Johnny pleaded to her not to that to all the innocent people inside his apartment building, she doesn’t seem to care.

Photo: JPI
FIERY FACE OFF
The plan was supposed to be, after she takes care of Johnny she will toss the gun in the Salem River, then focus on payback to Holly Jonas before leaving town to start a new life.
Now, Sophia makes her exit, leaving Johnny to be a few moments away from an explosion or gas inhalation, when Chanel (Raven Bowens) comes home after awaiting the results of her mammogram. She sees Johnny tied up, as he panics and tells her to put out the flame on the candle, things go awry, and a fire has begun and everything may go up in flames with Johnny and Chanel inside.

Photo: JPI
A BROKEN SOPHIA
Back in her room, Sophia breaks down after reading the social media comments about her, she planted, and then starts writing a suicide or farewell note which says. “I’m tired of begging for forgiveness for my mistakes. All I wanted was to move forward, to be loved and understood. But it’s clear that I was never going to get that. Holly Jonas said that I was dead to her. So, as her former BFF, I’m going to make her dream a reality.”

Photo: JPI
A DEADLY TRAP
Now, the fate of Johnny, Chanel and Sophia will be revealed on tomorrow’s May 1st cliffhanger, which may be the end of Sophia when she crosses paths with Kirsten at the bridge near the river. We do know Rachel Boyd is no longer appearing in the show credits section and is now off contract with the soap.
So, what did you think of the climatic final moments of DAYS? What did you think of the performance of Rachel Boyd as Sophia Choi? Let us know via the comment section.
Breaking News
Jacob Martinez is ‘Days of Our Lives’ New Javi Hernandez Replacing Al Calderon in the Role
Finally! The casting has been revealed as to just who would be Al Calderon’s successor in the role of Days of our Lives, Javi Hernandez. On Friday, April 30, the long-running soap opera revealed Jacob Martinez is taking on the part and he will first be seen this coming June 30th and then on all-new episodes streaming on Peacock.
As previously reported, the popular Calderon exited the soap opera last year to join the cast of the NBC primetime medical drama, Brilliant Minds as nurse Nico Silva, who in May will air the remainder of their second season. The series has been on the bubble for renewal by the network. His last episodes as Javi will also air this May on DAYS.
Since DAYS tapes ten months ahead of streaming, Martinez has been secretly ensconced in all the drama in Salem for quite some time. When viewers see the new Javi in story, we should learn what will happen in Javi’s relationship with Leo Stark played by Emmy winner, Greg Rikaart, plus his continued relationship with his relatives in the Hernandez clan. Currently, when Javi returned to Salem after taking care of his ailing father, and after the bust-up of his marriage to Leo thanks to Dimitri (Peter Porte), he claimed he had moved on with someone else while he was away from Salem.

Photo: JPI
Like Calderon before him, Martinez is a multi-talented actor and singer. Jacob’s resume is impressive having appeared in the musical In Pieces: The Musical at Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and he was hand-picked by Joey Contreras to play the role of Grey. Other credits include: the short film, Memory Swim and the play Dog Sees God: Confessions of a Teenage.
Martinez hails from Norfolk, Nebraska and appeared when he was very young at the Johnny Carson Theatre, and as DAYS fans know, Jacob is now working at the Days of our Lives studios, right where the “Tonight Show” is filled. In addition, Jacob Martinez is a graduate of The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA).
Taking to his Instagram on Thursday, April 30 once the news of his casting was revealed, Martinez, expressed, “Way too many people to thank in one post, so I’ll just say THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART to each and every person who continues to pour into me and encourage me to chase my dreams. I cannot even begin to express how grateful I am. I already feel beyond blessed, supported, and loved. See you all in Salem ⏳”
Jacob Martinez appeared on Friday on the Days of our Lives Instagram account announcing his casting. You can check it out below. Deadline was the first to report the casting switch.
So, excited to learn who is the new Javi Hernandez? Please welcome Jacob Martinez to the role and be on the lookout for his debut on June 30. Comment below.
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Days Of Our Lives
‘Days of Our Lives’ Conner Floyd on Chad’s Quest For Abigail’s Resurrection; But Who Should Be Cast as NuAbby?
Former Y&R favorite, Conner Floyd made his debut as the recast Chad DiMera on Days of our Lives last week on the April 21 episode of the Peacock streaming soap opera
Floyd replaced Billy Flynn in the role who is firmly cemented in his old stomping grounds of Genoa City and The Young and the Restless as Chad DiMera. For the last year or two of Chad’s story, he believed his wife, Abigail Devereaux DiMera could be alive, he even thought Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord) was Abigail until the story turned.
Now with Floyd taking over the role and Lexie coming back to life after years of being dead, and Chad noting how Dr. Rolf (Richard Wharton) and his brother, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel), could resurrect somehow they all love, he thinks, how about Abigail? The part of Abigail was played by Kate Mansi and then Marci Miller.

Photo: JPI
Speaking with Stephanie Sloane for her new Daytime Dish Newsletter on the matter, Conner shared, “Any kind of idea that she could possibly be coming back, as farfetched as that may seem, he’s stuck on it. The idea gets in his head, and he’s locked in on it.”
CHAD WRESTLES WITH THE FATE OF ABIGAIL
Floyd added that Chad, “He’s asking Theo (Joseph Tyler Andrews) about it. He’s asking EJ about it. It’s one of those things where he loves her so much that the peace in his mind that he’s made with this kind of comes unbroken. So the fact that that she might be able to come back, he’s so bent on it, he thinks it’s going to happen and he kind of spirals away.”
A NEW ABIGAIL ON THE HORIZON?

Photo: ABC
That begs the question, with Days of Our Lives taping ten months in advance, which is already taking them into the beginning of 2027, is it possible that the soap has already recast Abigail and its being kept top secret?
Recently, it was revealed that former General Hospital favorite, Sofia Mattsson (ex-Sasha) has joined Days of our Lives. Back on March 30 it was reported that Mattsson is now taping all-new episodes that will be seen in 2027, but her role was being hush-hush! Could she the new Abby?
If not, the question is, since it seems that Kate Mansi is not coming back as she is firmly entrenched in her role as Kristina Corinthos-Davis on General Hospital and other outside projects, and Marci Miller has also been away from soaps for awhile working on other TV and film roles and indie motion pictures, who should play nuAbby?
Now below, let us know, who do you think would make the perfect leading lady opposite Conner Floyd as a recast Abigail Deveraux DiMera? Be our armchair quarterback casting director and drop your pick in the comment section.
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