Days of our Lives Performer of the Week: Allison Sweeney

By Michael Maloney
Modified Aug 09, 2025 05:58 ET
Sami (Alison Sweeney) visited Marlena (Deidre Hall) to share memories of John (Drake Hogestyn) on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI
Sami (Alison Sweeney) visited Marlena (Deidre Hall) to share memories of John (Drake Hogestyn) on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

Allison Sweeney reprised her role as Sami Brady on Days of our Lives to bid an emotional farewell to her late TV step-dad, John Black, played by the late, great Drake Hogestyn. Soap Central is bestowing Performer of the Week honors on Sweeney for her brief, but powerful return to Salem.

Days of our Lives, Alison Sweeney, Performer of the Week

Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Sami (Allison Sweeney) reunited on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI
Marlena (Deidre Hall) and Sami (Allison Sweeney) reunited on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

Sweeney and TV mom Deidre Hall (Marlena) dove into the heartfelt emotions as soon as Sami and her mother reconnected. "I'm so sorry, Mom. I'm so sorry I wasn't there to hold your hand," Sami lamented about her absence.

Veteran DAYS fans recall that Sami and John shared a strained dynamic once John and Marlena renewed their romance, breaking the heart of Marlena's husband, Roman (then, Wayne Northrup; now, Josh Taylor). Sami grew to love her stepdad, but that didn't happen overnight.

"I was so mean to him — all the time," Sami lamented. "I hated him for loving you." At the time, Sami was angry at John because he represented the end of Roman and Marlena.

Now, Sweeney brings the perspective of an adult to her character and sees John through a different lens. "It was so unfair," Sami said. "No matter what I said, he was always there for me. He treated me like a daughter."

Sweeney showed how much Sami has matured by recalling her troubled teen years. "I used to smirk and roll my eyes when he would call you, 'Doc,'" Sami shared. "I would give anything to hear him say that one more time."

Mother and child reunion

Sami (Allison Sweeney) reconnected with Johnny (Carson Boatman) on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI
Sami (Allison Sweeney) reconnected with Johnny (Carson Boatman) on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

In addition to playing Sami's grief, Sweeney got to tap into her character's protective maternal side as she reunited with her son, Johnny (Carson Boatman), who is on trial for the attempted murder of his father, EJ (Dan Feuerriegel).

In an emotional moment, Sami reminded Johnny that he was named after John. "I'm just so glad you got to have so many years with him," Sami said before embracing her boy. DAYS didn't have the actress for long, but the show made sure her episode was emotionally charged. Sweeney delivered with every emotional heartbeat the show asked her to play.

Sweeney's return to Days of our Lives would not have been complete without checking in on her son. However, the main thrust -- Sami coming to terms with John's passing -- dominated the episode. Sweeney rose to the challenge, reminding viewers of John and Sami's complicated relationship. Her tears and the quiver in her voice showed just how much Sami truly did love John.

In a flashback, Sami recalled being immediately defensive when she talked to John about Lucas's (Bryan Dattilo) proposal. When John informed Sami that Marlena would be happy over this, Sami burst into tears. John pulled her into a supportive hug. "I would do anything to get one more big hug from you," Sami said, clutching a photo of John to her chest.

Days of our Lives, that's a fact

John Black (Drake Hogestyn) has died, but Sami (Allison Sweeney) will never forget him on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI
John Black (Drake Hogestyn) has died, but Sami (Allison Sweeney) will never forget him on Days of our Lives | Image: JPI

When Sami was alone, Sweeney delivered a powerful monologue when she thanked John for his big heart, kindness, and his tough love. Holding his photo, she apologized to John for blaming him for her insecurities. It's not often that people get to say these things in life. Saying goodbye to John Black would not have been the same without Sweeney returning for this emotional episode.

"Thank you for showing me how to be strong and brave," Sami shared. Marlena's daughter recalled another emotional moment in which she and John bonded as Sami faced her mortality after Franco's (Victor Alfieri) murder. Putting her mortality aside, Sami asked John to watch over Marlena.

"Now, it's my turn," Sami promised. "John, you can rest easy knowing we're all here and we're going to take care of Mom for you. I just want you to know that you will always, always live in my heart, and that's a fact."

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Kudos to Sweeney for making the most of her return to Salem, as she showed a mature and caring side to Sami. The willful and impulsive teenager we loved to hate is now a caring mother and daughter whom we love to love.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Paramount Plus.