James Reynolds has revealed that he has Parkinson’s disease, bringing his personal experience into the storyline of Abe Carver, the character he plays on Days of Our Lives.
The 80-year-old actor discussed his health with Nischelle Turner in a November 10 interview with Entertainment Tonight. He said he had kept the diagnosis private for several years.
His wife, Lissa, and son, Jed, knew about the condition, but he had not spoken with friends about it. Difficulty motivating himself was among the changes that eventually prompted him to open up.
The disclosure followed his October 29 celebration of 45 years since joining the show in 1981. His tenure has made him television’s longest-running Black actor portraying the same character on a single series.
Reynolds Describes Tremors and Earlier Sleep Problems
Reynolds recalled his hands shaking while taking photographs and sometimes needing both hands to lift a drink. He would apologize or try to conceal the movement, while occasional balance problems required him to make quick adjustments.
A persistent tremor helped persuade him to seek medical attention. He recalled shortness of breath, which he initially attributed to asthma. After receiving his diagnosis, he began researching the disease and said he had not experienced an extreme emotional reaction to the news.
He has since reconsidered disturbing dreams from earlier in his life. His wife would tell him that he had struck her unintentionally while asleep, and he sometimes fell out of bed. Reynolds now wonders whether those experiences were early signs of the condition.
He believes some symptoms may date back 15 to 20 years, although he has not disclosed when he was diagnosed. His account of those earlier episodes is a retrospective assessment; he did not say a doctor had established their cause.
The Parkinson’s Foundation describes the disease as a progressive neurological disorder whose symptoms and course vary between individuals. Alongside movement and balance difficulties, it can involve sleep disturbances.
Kayla Delivers Abe’s Test Results
In recent episodes, Abe’s son Theo, played by Tyler Joseph Andrews, noticed a change in his signature. Tremors led Abe to seek testing from Dr. Kayla Brady Johnson, portrayed by Mary Beth Evans.
In the November 11 episode, Kayla tells Abe that he has Parkinson’s. According to Soap Hub, he had researched his symptoms and suspected the result. He promises to tell his family now that he knows what he is facing.
Reynolds told Turner that the writers had noticed changes he thought he was hiding. He pointed to the series’ history of incorporating performers’ experiences and said Abe’s strength, humor and understanding could remain central as the character navigates the illness.
Jackée Harry Is Learning How to Support Him
Harry, who plays Paulina Price, joined Reynolds during the interview and described researching Parkinson’s to better understand his experience. She has been looking into possible treatments and sharing information with her colleague.
Reynolds praised the cast and crew for their help, saying their support had made working easier. He hopes discussing his experience can encourage other people with Parkinson’s to remain involved in family life, their careers and activities they enjoy.
When Turner asked whether he could still hold his own opposite Harry in a scene, he answered, “Damn right I can.”
Reynolds Reflects on Abe’s Impact Beyond Salem
Reynolds won the 2018 Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series following the storyline in which Theo was shot by police. In his October 28 interview with TV Insider, he recalled the emotional demands of that 2017 story and valued its relevance beyond Salem.
His later honors include induction into the Daytime Emmys’ Silver Circle in 2025. Colleagues recently celebrated him through video tributes on the show’s official Instagram account, sharing memories of their friendships and conversations, as Daytime Confidential reported.
Reynolds told TV Insider that he had expected a long acting career, but never imagined spending so much of it in one role. Younger Black actors have since told him that watching Abe helped them believe they could become performers. He said those encounters strengthened his desire to continue working.