Tamara Braun, a fan-favorite soap opera star, has bid farewell to Days of Our Lives. The actress, renowned for her role as the spirited Ava Vitali, announced her departure on Instagram Tuesday. Her final episode airs on April 3, marking another exit from the iconic daytime drama.
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Braun expressed mixed emotions about leaving. "I wish this was an April Fool's joke, but it's not," she wrote. "This is Ava's last week on Days. Sad but true." She filmed her last scenes in July 2024 but noted fans can catch Ava onscreen until April 3. Braun praised her co-stars, calling them "a really good group of caring individuals." She thanked supporters for their "love, kindness, and support" during her latest Salem run.
The actress first portrayed Ava Vitali in 2008. She briefly returned as Taylor Walker in 2011 and reprised Ava in 2015 for the show's 50th anniversary. After exiting in 2016, Braun rejoined the cast in 2020 and again in 2023. A Days of Our Lives spokesperson told Deadline the departure reflects "the ebb and flow of daytime storytelling."
Braun's Broader Soap Opera Legacy
Braun's soap opera career extends beyond Salem. She starred as Reese Williams on All My Children. Additionally, she played Carly Corinthos and Kim Nero in separate stints on General Hospital. Her versatile performances have cemented her status in the genre.
Meanwhile, Days of Our Lives faces another emotional loss. The news of Braun's exit follows the death of Drake Hogestyn, who portrayed John Black. Hogestyn passed away on September 28, 2024, at age 70, after battling pancreatic cancer. He learned his character would be killed off before his death.
Hogestyn's Final Storyline
Reports confirm Hogestyn approved the storyline. He filmed his final episode, which aired weeks before his passing. Executive producer Ken Corday told Soap Opera Digest that Hogestyn initially hoped to return. However, the actor supported writing his character's death into the script if needed. "We were rolling the dice," Corday said. "It's difficult to tell a story of a character's death while the actor is still alive."
Corday personally consulted Hogestyn before proceeding. "I wanted to make sure Drake signed off on this," he said. "He was totally in favor of it." Hogestyn debuted on the show in 1986, appearing in over 4,200 episodes across 38 years.
Now in its 60th season, Days of Our Lives streams exclusively on Peacock.
