Former Days of our Lives and Supernatural star, Jensen Ackles (Ex-Eric and Ex-Dean)  took to his Instagram over the weekend to pay tribute to cinematographer, Halyna Hutchins who was tragically killed in New Mexico, on the set of the film Rust in which Ackles co-starred with Alec Baldwin and Frances Fisher. Baldwin is also one of the producers of the film.

Last Thursday, in the initial investigation reports surfaced that Baldwin discharged a “prop gun” leading to the death of Hutchins and injuring director, Joel Souza.  Since that time it has been reported that Baldwin was told by the assistant director, David Halls, that the weapon was a “cold gun” meaning not loaded with live rounds following its preparation by the film set’s armorer, Hannah Gutierrez.  But in his affidavit statement, Halls says he was unaware that the prop gun contained live rounds when it was given to Baldwin for his scene.

The scene Baldwin was rehearsing was inside a church building at the Bonanza Creek Ranch. In new affidavit’s, it was noted that Baldwin was ‘cross drawing’ the weapon and pointing the gun towards the camera lens.

Photo: Getty

A grief-stricken Ackles shared:  “I’m not even sure where to start.  This has been a tragedy of epic proportions that we are all still processing. Earlier last week I felt compelled to tell Halyna just how awesome I thought she was. I told her how incredible I thought her camera shots were and just how exciting it was to watch her and her team work. Truly. She laughed and said thank you and gave me a hug. I’ll forever be thankful we had that moment.  She had a spunk and passion that infected the entire crew from the top down. She was an inspiration. My heart and prayers go out to Halyna’s husband, son and the rest of her family. There just aren’t enough words to express what an immense loss this is. She will be incredibly missed by all of us who knew and admired her.”

Since Hutchins’ death, a video also surfaced of Ackles discussing his concerns for gun safety on the set of Rust at a Supernatural convention in Colorado prior to the tragedy.

Jensen told the crowd: “I’ve got a 6 a.m. call tomorrow to have a big shoot-out. They had me pick my gun. They were like, ‘Alright, what gun would you like?’ and I was like, ‘I don’t know?’ and the armorer was like, ‘Do you have gun experience?’ I was like, ‘A little.’ And she’s like, ‘OK, well, this is how you load it, this is how we check it and make sure it’s safe. “So she’s like, ‘OK, I’m gonna put some blanks in there and I want you to just go and fire off a couple rounds towards the hill.’ And I was like, ‘OK.’ So I put the belt on, I put the gun there, and I walked out and she’s like, ‘Just make sure that you know, you pull the hammer all the way back and you aim at your target.’ And I was like, ‘OK, I got it.’  The footage was originally on You Tube, but now has been taken down.

The investigation remains and open and active on what occurred on the set of Rust, according to the Santa Fe New Mexico Sheriff’s office.

So, what do you think about Jensen’s tribute in the wake of the Rust tragedy? Comment below.

Congratulations are in order to Days of our Lives’ Billy Flynn (Chad DiMera) and his wife, actress, Gina Comparetto, on the news that the couple are expecting their first child!

The duo wed back in 2016, and now in a series of beautiful Instagram posts on Comparetto’s account, Billy and Gina shared the news publicly of their baby on the way with some photos to mark the occasion.

Gina expressed: “First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes 👶🏼…. Thank you to my dear, talented friend @jessieco_photo for taking these beautiful photos of us. We will cherish them forever and we love you! ❤️. Thank you @makeupmaryann for the gorgeous, 60s-inspired hair & makeup that you did! You’re truly the best! ❤️

Then, in a another set of photos it simply says: “Mom & Dad 💘” while Billy and Gina look over the book “What to Expect, When You’re Expecting.”

In the newest post, their are more adorable pics this time stating: “Party of 3 ❤️”

You can check all of them out below.

Share your well-wishes for Billy, Gina and the incoming newest addition to their family via the comment section.

 

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As DAYS viewers witnessed on Friday’s episode, Abe has been shot in the park, after Carmine pulls out a gun, and Jake (Brandon Barash) tries to apprehend him.  Jake rushes to Abe’s side and calls an ambulance and he is rushed to University Hospital.  Once there, Abe eventually flatlines, while Lani (Sal Stowers), Paulina (Jackee Harry) and Eli (Lamon Archey) are besides themselves with worry.

This sets the stage for Monday’s episode where Abe will go into the light, as Kayla (Mary Beth Evans) works to save his light and while he hovers between life and death, DAYS fans are treated to the special 40th anniversary episode of James Reynolds as Salem’s Abe Carver.   The Daytime Emmy-winning actor, (he won Lead Actor in 2018) began his Salem journey when he first aired back on October 29th, 1981.

Photo: JPI

While Abe revisits the past, he will meet up with his late wife and love of his life, Lexie, only according to Soap Opera Digest, Renee Jones was not available to be a part of the milestone episode. So, in a pivot another actress was brought in.

Reynolds told SOD on the Lexie appearance, “The young actress they brought in to be part of this was just wonderful“n giving the essence of (their) relationship and communicated beautifully, just beautifully, in her face and her eyes, as Renee did quite so often.”  He added, “I was kind of transported, actually.”

Photo: JPI

In addition, James continues to be the the longest-running black actor in the same role in television history.

Check out the latest NBC promo featuring Abe’s life hanging in the balance below.

Now let us know, are you glad that DAYS is honoring James with this special 40th anniversary episode? What has been your favorite James Reynolds performance as Abe through the years? Share your thoughts in the comment section.