'Days of Our Lives' Star James Reynolds Reveals Parkinson's Disease Diagnosis at 80

Beloved Days of Our Lives star James Reynolds has revealed that he is living with Parkinson's disease, opening up about the diagnosis in an emotional interview with Entertainment Tonight that aired on Tuesday, November 10, 2026. The 80-year-old actor, who has played Abe Carver on the daytime soap opera since 1981, said he kept the diagnosis private for years before deciding to speak publicly — and the show is now writing his real-life condition into his character's storyline.

The Short Answer

James Reynolds, 80, the actor who has played Abe Carver on Days of Our Lives since 1981, has revealed he has Parkinson's disease. He shared the news in an interview with Entertainment Tonight on soap opera's writers are incorporating Parkinson's into Abe Carver's storyline, so the character will receive the same diagnosis on screen.

What Reynolds Revealed

Speaking with Entertainment Tonight reporter Nischelle Turner, Reynolds said he first noticed a tremor that "wouldn't go away" and found himself "shaking all over the place." He also described balance problems and occasional shortness of breath, which he had at first attributed to asthma. He said he tried to hide the symptoms for a long time, apologizing for his tremors on set, before the show's writers told him it had become "obvious" and decided the condition should be part of the story.

"I thought I was hiding it," Reynolds said, but the writers quickly noticed. "The writers also wanted to incorporate because it was obvious. And we play life here," he told ET.

Reynolds also revealed that he now believes he may have been living with the disease far longer than he knew. "I realized just a couple weeks ago that I may have had this as long as 15 to 20 years ago," he said. He recalled disturbing dreams in which he acted out his sleep — sometimes falling out of bed, and once striking his wife, Lissa, in his sleep without realizing it. Doctors note that this kind of REM sleep behavior disorder can appear years before a Parkinson's diagnosis.

He said he shared the news at first only with his wife, Lissa, and his son, Jed, and kept it from friends for "more than a few years." His co-star Jackée Harry joined him for the interview and spoke about how she supports him on set.

A 45-Year Run as Abe Carver

Reynolds originated the role of Abe Carver in 1981 and has played the character for 45 years, making him the longest-running Black actor in a single role in all of television history. Abe has been a police commissioner, mayor of the fictional town of Salem, and one of the show's moral centers across four and a half decades.

The actor, a Daytime Emmy winner, recently celebrated 45 years on the show. He is also a US Marine Corps veteran, and he attended the Broadcasting + Cable Hall of Fame Awards Gala in New York in September 2025.

How the Show Is Handling the Diagnosis

Days of Our Lives is writing Reynolds' diagnosis directly into Abe Carver's story. In recent episodes, Abe has experienced tremors and sought medical attention from Dr. Kayla Brady Johnson, played by Mary Beth Evans — setting up the character's own Parkinson's diagnosis, which Kayla is due to deliver to Abe this week. Reynolds said the show has a history of weaving its actors' real-life experiences into its characters' stories, and he believes Abe can help show audiences how someone faces the challenges of Parkinson's.

The decision has been praised by fans and by Parkinson's advocates, who say seeing a beloved character live with the disease on daytime television can raise awareness and reduce stigma around a condition that affects about one million people in the United States.

What Is Parkinson's Disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement and can also cause non-movement symptoms, according to the Parkinson's Foundation. It develops when nerve cells in the brain that produce dopamine gradually break down. There is no known cure, although the condition can be managed with medication and other treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic. Readers who want to understand the condition better can find more information about Parkinson's disease and its symptoms from health resources.

Common early symptoms include tremor, stiffness, slowed movement and balance problems, as well as sleep disturbances and loss of smell. Reynolds did not specify exactly when he received his diagnosis, and he has not shared details of his treatment.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is James Reynolds?

James Reynolds is an 80-year-old American actor best known for playing Abe Carver on the daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives since 1981. He is the longest-running Black actor in a single television role in history and a Daytime Emmy winner.

What did James Reynolds reveal about his health?

In an Entertainment Tonight interview aired Tuesday, November 10, 2026, Reynolds revealed that he has Parkinson's disease. He said he had kept the diagnosis private for more than a few years and had tried to hide symptoms including a persistent tremor, balance problems and shortness of breath.

Will James Reynolds leave Days of Our Lives?

No. Reynolds is not leaving the show. Instead, the writers are incorporating his Parkinson's diagnosis into his character's storyline, so Abe Carver will receive the same diagnosis on screen.

How long has James Reynolds had Parkinson's?

Reynolds did not say exactly when he was diagnosed, but he said he believes he may have had symptoms for as long as 15 to 20 years, including acting out his dreams in his sleep and falling out of bed.

What is Parkinson's disease?

Parkinson's disease is a progressive neurological disorder that affects movement, causing tremor, stiffness, slowed movement and balance problems. It has no known cure but can be managed with medication and other treatments, according to the Mayo Clinic.

How are fans reacting?

Fans and fellow actors have praised Reynolds for speaking openly about his diagnosis, and Parkinson's advocates say seeing Abe Carver live with the disease on daytime television can raise awareness and reduce stigma around the condition.

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