How James Reynolds Has Changed Since His Debut On Days Of Our Lives
The character of Abraham Carver is one of the longest-running on "Days of Our Lives." Actor James Reynolds originated the character in 1981 when Abe was brought on as a police officer who was hired to the Salem PD (via Soap Central). Slowly, the character became one of the most beloved Salem citizens as he worked his way up through the ranks at the police station, eventually becoming the police commissioner, and later the mayor of Salem.
However, Abe's life hasn't been easy. He's been through plenty of heartaches. Some of Abe's most memorable moments include a storyline where he lost his eyesight, and the death of his longtime wife, Lexie Carver (Renee Jones), who quickly passed away from cancer, per Soaps in Depth. Lexie's death left Abe to be the single father to their son, Theo. Abe then had to figure out how to support little Theo, who had also been diagnosed with Autism.
In the years since Lexie's death, Abe has had a few romances with characters like Maxine Landis, Valerie Grant, and Paulina Price. He's also found happiness with his family members and friends by his side as he looked to make an impact in Salem. While life hasn't been as dramatic for Reynolds as it has for his "DOOL" character, it appears that Abe's kindness is reflected in the actor's personal life.
James Reynolds has become active in charity work since debuting on 'DOOL'
Since debuting as Abe Carver on "Days of Our Lives" in the early 1980s, James Reynolds has made quite the life for himself. He branched out in his career a bit by appearing in movies such as "Hotline," as well as TV shows like "227," Seinfeld," and "Generations," which earned him a Daytime Emmy nomination in 1991. He's also been nominated for three Daytime Emmys for his work on "DOOL" over the years, winning once in 2018.
In 1986, Reynolds married his wife Lissa Layng, an actress known for her work in "Night of the Comet," "Say Yes," and "Whose Life Is It Anyway?" Together, they have been dedicated to public service. Each year, according to TV Fanatic, he hosts a Bowl-a-thon that benefits the National Asthma Center. In addition, Reynolds and his wife own and operate the Fremont Centre Theatre in Pasadena.
As a native of Kansas, he was also honored by his home state when the historical society named him as one of the most famous Kansans, a list that includes the likes of President Dwight Eisenhower and Amelia Earhart.
It seems that like his character, Abe, Reynolds is a very productive and important member of his community, as well as beloved by his fans.