RUMOR For health reasons, Josh Taylor decides to retire and leave Days of our lives
Whispers are echoing across Salem and beyond, stirring up an emotional storm that longtime viewers never imagined they’d face. We’re diving deep into the rumor that has shaken the soap world to its core—a rumor suggesting that Josh Taylor, the beloved actor behind Roman Brady, may be retiring from Days of Our Lives due to health concerns.
It’s the kind of headline that sends shockwaves through a fanbase that has grown up with his voice, his presence, and his steady hand guiding the Brady clan. Today, we unpack this emotional whirlwind: the speculation, the memories, the legacy, and the heartbreaking possibility that one of daytime TV’s strongest pillars may be preparing to step away.
THE SPARK THAT STARTED THE FIRE
Picture a cool September evening in 2025. Social media is chaotic—teeming with worried fans, frantic theories, and tearful posts. Something is wrong. Something feels final.
The trigger? A handful of cryptic birthday posts surrounding Josh Taylor’s 82nd birthday on September 25, 2025. In every photo, fans searched for signs—an expression, a caption, a moment of stillness that could reveal the truth. Some thought his reflective smile hinted at closure. Others insisted it was nothing more than a veteran actor appreciating another year of life.
But the whispers became louder. “Is Josh really leaving?” one devastated fan posted. “Roman Brady is the backbone of Salem—what happens if he’s gone?” cried another.
And just like that, the rumor ignited.
THE LEGEND BEHIND THE NAME
To understand why this story hits so hard, you have to journey back to where it all began. Josh Taylor’s rise from small-town Illinois to soap opera royalty is the stuff of Hollywood lore. Born in 1943, molded by midwestern grit, strengthened by military service in the U.S. Navy, and sharpened through an Ivy League education at Dartmouth—Taylor was never destined for an ordinary life.
Acting didn’t come easy. He hustled through rejection after rejection, clawing his way into the industry until his undeniable presence finally cracked open the door in the 1970s. His rugged charm made him stand out. But Days of Our Lives made him unforgettable.
THE CHRIS KOSYCHEK ERA — A BLUE-COLLAR ICON
When Taylor entered Salem in 1977 as Chris Kositchek—jeans, denim shirt, and all—he changed the soap landscape. While other characters strutted around in suits, Chris brought an authenticity that fans instantly connected with. Taylor fought to keep Chris’s working-man style, insisting it reflected the soul of the character. He was right.
For a decade, viewers adored Chris. The romances. The betrayals. The rescues. The belt buckles—yes, fans mailed him over 35 of them, a testament to how deeply adored he was.
When he left in 1987, it felt like losing a family member.
THE RETURN THAT SHAPED A LEGACY — ROMAN BRADY
In 1997, Taylor returned to Days, but this time to fill shoes worn by legends—Roman Brady. It was a bold move, stepping into a role already shaped by fan favorites like Wayne Northrup and Drake Hogestyn. But Taylor stepped up with confidence.
And for 28 years afterward, he was Roman.
Steadfast. Steely. Loyal.
Roman Brady survived everything—kidnappings, shootings, heartbreaks, demonic plotlines, and even a cloning storyline that only Salem could pull off. His romances with Marlena and Kate became staples of daytime drama.
Even in 2025, Taylor spoke passionately about his storyline, especially Roman’s involvement in the “Who Shot EJ?” case. He dismissed retirement rumors firmly at the time, saying:
“Why would I stop now? I’m having too much fun.”
But months later… things became less clear.
THE HEALTH RUMORS TAKE HOLD
In late September 2025, the speculation escalated. A candid birthday photo circulated, showing Taylor looking contemplative—not frail, not unwell, but different. Slower.
A Facebook fan page asked, “Is he okay?”
A YouTube channel posted a video titled: “82-Year-Old Josh Taylor Shows Signs of Decline—Is Retirement Near?”
From there, the rumor spread like wildfire.
Hashtags like #JoshTaylorRetires and #RomanForever trended for days. Fans shared emotional montages—Roman saving Marlena, reuniting with Sami, exchanging fiery arguments with Kate, standing firm as Salem’s moral anchor.
It wasn’t just fear—it was grief.
THE FANDOM REACTS
Across Reddit, Facebook, and X, fans debated endlessly. Some insisted his recent quieter performance on-screen was deliberate acting, symbolizing the weight Roman was carrying in the storyline. Others believed it was a sign of fatigue.
One fan wrote:
“Josh Taylor has been part of my life since my 20s. Losing Roman would feel like losing family.”
Another said:
“Maybe it’s time… but my heart isn’t ready.”
Emotions ran high—because Roman Brady isn’t just a character. He’s a generational anchor.
THE SHOW’S HISTORY MAKES IT EVEN HARDER
Days of Our Lives has always thrived on reinvention—time jumps, supernatural arcs, resurrections, even entire towns faking deaths. But some characters are irreplaceable.
Roman is one of them.
From clashes with Stefano DiMera to protecting his children from danger time and again, his legacy stretches across decades. His storyline during the Salem Stalker arc. His heroic returns from the “dead.” His unshakeable loyalty to the Brady family.
A departure this monumental wouldn’t just be another cast change—it would reshape the very DNA of the show.
THE COUNTER-NARRATIVE — IS IT ALL A MISUNDERSTANDING?
Even amid the hysteria, fans found solace in one thing: there has been NO official announcement.
Not from NBC.
Not from Peacock.
Not from the producers.
And not from Taylor himself.
Insiders close to the set have emphasized that Taylor remains committed, shows up energetic, and continues delivering strong performances. Recent episodes even show Roman in peak form—commanding the Salem PD, mediating family disputes, and offering the sharp, grounding presence fans rely on.
Could it be that the rumors were fueled by fear instead of fact?
Possibly.
But soap fans know better than anyone: when beloved stars age, whispers get louder. And sometimes, they’re right.
SO… WHAT HAPPENS IF THE RUMORS ARE TRUE?
If Josh Taylor is preparing to retire due to health concerns, the show faces a monumental challenge. Writers could:
- Give Roman a heroic farewell
- Reunite him with a lost love
- Send him off on a peaceful final mission
- Or craft a mysterious disappearance worthy of Salem legend
But fans hold out hope that none of this will be necessary.
Because for them, Roman Brady doesn’t just leave.
He fights.
He survives.
He endures.
THE HEART OF IT ALL
Here’s the truth:
Josh Taylor is more than an actor.
Roman Brady is more than a role.
And Days of Our Lives is more than a show.
They’re threads woven together over generations—stories that comforted viewers through sickness, heartbreak, loss, and life’s biggest challenges.
And that’s why this rumor cuts so deeply.
UNTIL WE KNOW MORE…
For now, all we can do is watch, support, and hope. Hope that Roman Brady isn’t going anywhere. Hope that Josh Taylor remains strong and healthy. Hope that the rumors fade into nothing more than a dramatic moment in the fan community.
Until there’s an official statement, the hourglass still flows.
And the legend still stands.
Because in Salem, miracles happen every day.
And sometimes… the heroes stay.