TL;DR: Over multiple eras on Days of Our Lives, Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford) has exited in wild, headline-grabbing ways—from firings to fake deaths—leaving Salem reeling, Jennifer Horton devastated, and fans fiercely divided every time.
1993: The Curse Begins
Jack Deveraux’s first huge departure in 1993 wasn’t just a plot twist—it became a bona fide soap scandal. Matthew Ashford, who had played Jack since 1987, was suddenly out when his contract wasn’t renewed. By then, Jack had transformed from one of Salem’s darkest villains into a redeemed anti-hero, and his romance with Jennifer Horton was ratings gold.
Fans were furious—letters, protests, the works. Many felt the show lost its magic. Even though Ashford eventually returned, the sting of that first exit never fully faded for longtime viewers.
Jack Deveraux’s Nine Lives: The Resurrection Cycle
If you love Days, you know Jack Deveraux never simply “goes away.” He dies spectacularly… then boomerangs back to life.
And then there’s Melaswen—“New Salem” spelled backwards—where half the town turned up alive on a secret island. So outrageous it looped back to iconic.
Sweeps Strategy: Time to “Kill Jack”
When ratings need rocket fuel, the recipe seems eternal: kill Jack, revive Jack, repeat. The 2012 elevator sacrifice—where Jack saved Abigail Deveraux—sparked outrage. Six years later, the show relented and brought him back (thanks, science-happy Dr. Rolf). If chaos is needed, writers tend to push Jack off something tall.
Why Fans Miss Him When He’s Gone
Jack isn’t just another on-again/off-again character. He’s funny, flawed, self-aware, and a true redemption arc success story. His love with Jennifer ranks with Bo Brady & Hope Williams Brady or Marlena Evans & John Black as a top-tier supercouple.
What’s Jack Up To Now?
Jack is back in Salem, with Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves reunited as Jack and Jennifer. Nostalgia spikes whenever they share the screen. But the present-day drama still bites: Jack’s strained tie with daughter Gwen Rizczech (Emily O’Brien) keeps the story raw and relatable—two flawed souls who can’t quite let go.
Is Another Tragic Exit on the Horizon?
If history holds, expect fireworks whenever an exit rumor hits. Could we see:
Whatever happens, grab a donut and brace yourself—Salem is built for whiplash.
Hit the Road, Jack?
For all the cycles of loss and resurrection, fans still ride for Jack. If he leaves again, the goodbye will hurt—and probably blow the roof off Salem. But if there’s one constant in this town, it’s that a Deveraux exit is never the end of the story.
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