James Reynolds has been MIA as Abe Carver on Days of Our Lives

Abe Carver is MIA is Salem

Days of Our Lives has been bringing back fan-favorite cast members in honor of its 60 years on television. Sami Brady (Alison Sweeney) just left Salem, and Emily O'Brien has wrapped up portraying Theresa and will return later this year as Gwen. Bo Brady (Peter Reckell) and Hope Brady (Kristian Alfonso) are scheduled to return soon.

The death of John Black (Drake Hogestyn) will be addressed later in the year, along with more popular returns. Perhaps amid all the excitement, you may not have noticed that the absence of Abe Carver (James Reynolds) is not being addressed. It's as if he doesn't exist.

Paulina has not mentioned her spouse

Pauline Price has been front and center in supporting Johnny Dimera (Carson Boatman) and Chanel Dimera (Raven Bowens), who are adopting Tate Black's (Leo Howard) and Sophia Choi's (Rachel Boyd) baby. She has been on top of Arnold Feneger, taking the place of Rafe Hernandez (both played by Galen Gering).

Still, she has not once consulted her husband on the matter. Paulina has also been busy as mayor of Salem, but it's been a while since anyone has heard her say "Abraham" in a way that only she can.

Could James Reynolds be ill?

Hogestyn continued to be mentioned by family and friends when he was out sick, but no one in Salem is talking about Abe unless I missed it. I have been binge-watching episodes of DOOL, which go back five or six weeks.

If Abe has been out and about in Salem, I must have missed it. John Black, also called his close pal Abraham, but the former head of Body and Soul, has not been kept in the loop about his missing friend.

Daytime actors have private lives and are not required to disclose their issues. When a cast member with nearly 45 years on the soap is not being seen, it's only natural that fans will wonder what's going on.

DOOL viewers recall how long John was off-screen before the news of his illness was revealed. Reynolds underwent open-heart surgery a while back, but returned to his character. Hopefully, he is not having any complications and is perhaps taking some needed time off.

Abe is an icon in Salem

James Reynolds originated the role of Abe Carver in 1981. He is currently the fifth-longest-serving actor on the Peacock Soap. Fans were shocked when Abe was one of the main characters who were killed and elated when he turned up on Melaswen (New Salem backwards) island.

He stepped away from his DOOL character from 1990-1991 to star in the NBC sitcom Generations. Abe is one of the longest-running African American characters in the history of American daytime drama shows. The 78-year-old Reynolds is one of a few senior men still on the show and on other soaps.

Senior males on daytime television

Bill Hayes, who portrayed Doug Williams, was still acting when he passed away at the age of 98, and John Aniston (Victor Kiriakis) was 89. Josh Taylor (Roman Brady) at 81 is the current oldest working cast member.

John McCook (Eric Forrester, The Bold and the Beautiful) is 80, Eric Braeden (Victor Newman, The Young and the Restless) is 82. Clifton Davis ( Vernon Dupree Beyond the Gates) is 79. Jon Lindstrom (Joey Armstrong, BTG, and Kevin Collins General Hospital at 67, is the youngest male senior.

When will Abe return?

Hopefully, there will be an update for fans of James Reynolds, or his fans will soon see Abe Carver back in action in Salem on Days of Our Lives.