Salem is reeling. Fans of Days of Our Lives were sent into a whirlwind of shock and speculation when rumors swirling since May 2025 became reality: Greg Ricard,

the actor behind the unforgettable anti-hero Leo Stark, has officially departed the long-running soap. What does this mean for Leo — and for Salem itself? In true daytime fashion,

the story is equal parts tragedy, drama, and high-stakes suspense.

A Legacy of Chaos: Leo Stark’s Rise in Salem

Leo Stark first burst onto our screens in March 2018, instantly capturing the hearts and ire of viewers alike. Portrayed with camp, wit, and unapologetic flair by Ricard, Leo was far more than a schemer: he was a force of nature. Introduced as a cunning operative hired to sabotage Titan CEO Sunny Kuryakis, Leo’s charm and manipulative prowess made him a standout from his very first scene. Draped in impeccable fashion and brandishing a silver tongue, he quickly moved from villainous newcomer to central player in some of the show’s most explosive storylines.

From seducing, swindling, and even faking his own death to surviving betrayals and building uneasy alliances, Leo became a soap legend. His arc was never predictable, keeping fans on edge while delivering moments of comedy, heartbreak, and sheer spectacle. Yet despite his wild exploits, there were glimpses of vulnerability — a fractured family, fleeting love, and the struggle for acceptance — that made him deeply human.

The Rumors That Shook Salem

Whispers of Leo’s impending exit circulated online for months, intensifying as the spring of 2025 approached. When the news broke that Ricard would not return, the fanbase erupted. Social media exploded with tributes and speculation: #SaveLeo trended worldwide, petitions circulated, and fans flooded forums and Instagram with artwork commemorating the beloved character. This wasn’t just the loss of a character; it was the departure of one of daytime television’s most magnetic and unpredictable personalities.

The Final Arc: Leo in Peril

Season 2025’s storyline placed Leo at the center of a dangerous web. Investigating a citywide blackout and suspicious activities tied to EJ Dea’s new hospital lab, Leo’s journalistic instincts — honed over years of navigating Salem’s perilous terrain — led him straight into danger. EJ, portrayed with simmering menace by Danfur Regal, and his deadly right-hand woman, Rita Leslie (Maggie Carney), set the stage for a confrontation that fans would never forget.

In a suspenseful sequence, Leo infiltrated the construction site, uncovering encrypted files, suspicious payoffs, and evidence of illicit schemes. Rita, ever the shadowy enforcer, tracked his every move. Despite his trademark wit and improvisational genius, Leo could not escape unscathed. The confrontation was tense, cinematic, and heartbreakingly poetic — a fittingly dramatic end for a character who had flirted with death more times than most actors in soap history.

The Climactic Exit

Leo’s final scenes were a masterclass in daytime drama. Lured into the underground labyrinth beneath the hospital site by a forged tip, Leo faced Rita in a life-or-death confrontation. The scuffle ended in a staged accident — a fatal fall among exposed rebar and electrical wiring. As Leo’s final words, “Tell them I was fabulous,” echoed through the scene, viewers were left simultaneously breathless and devastated. The screen faded to black, leaving a city, a family, and a loyal fanbase mourning one of Salem’s most notorious icons.

Greg Ricard’s Impact on the Soap

To appreciate the gravity of Leo’s exit, one must understand the actor behind him. Ricard’s portrayal elevated Leo beyond the typical soap antagonist. From his early days on The Young and the Restless, Ricard brought Emmy-worthy nuance to the genre, blending camp, charm, and vulnerability in a way few actors have mastered. Over seven years, Ricard transformed Leo into a fully realized character whose every appearance — whether plotting, quipping, or reflecting on his past — resonated with fans.

Even as Leo flirted with redemption and vulnerability, Ricard’s performance ensured that every twist landed with impact. His departure is more than a casting change; it represents a seismic shift in Salem’s landscape, reshaping storylines and emotional stakes for every character connected to Leo.

Fan Reactions and the Emotional Fallout

The response from fans was immediate and impassioned. Tributes flooded social media, with viewers reflecting on Leo’s most iconic moments — from his convoluted cons and hilarious quips to his tender, rarely-seen vulnerabilities. Fan petitions demanding a resurrection or cameo appearances quickly gained traction. This groundswell of affection underscores the deep connection viewers had with both the character and the actor who brought him to life.

What Leo’s Death Means for Salem

Leo’s departure leaves a power vacuum in the storylines surrounding EJ, Rita, and the rest of Salem’s key players. The ramifications extend far beyond the personal grief of friends like Gwen Rizzik and Jav Hernandez, whose loyalties and personal arcs were inextricably tied to Leo. The town now faces heightened tension, more scheming, and potential revenge plots that will reverberate throughout the soap’s narrative.

Moreover, Leo’s absence signals a shift in the tone of the series. Without the flamboyant chaos he brought, the show must find new ways to balance drama, humor, and suspense — a challenge that will test both writers and viewers alike.

Looking Back: Leo’s Most Unforgettable Moments

To fully grasp the magnitude of this exit, fans will remember some of Leo’s defining arcs:

• His icy yet witty manipulation of Sunny Kuryakis and the backfired schemes of his early days.
• The infamous “freezer death” that marked his first brush with doom, only to be later reversed in classic soap style.
• Intricate alliances with Gwen, Diana Kovville, and other Salem residents, blending loyalty and deception.
• Episodes of Beyond Salem, where Leo’s charisma and camp outshone the Mediterranean sun.
• His flirtations with redemption and vulnerability, particularly in his relationships with Xander Kuryakis and fractured family members.

Each of these moments showcased Ricard’s range and the writing team’s willingness to take bold risks with a fan-favorite character.

Looking Forward: The Future of ‘Days of Our Lives’

With Leo gone, the writers have the opportunity — and challenge — of exploring Salem’s next chapter. Will EJ face consequences for his machinations? Will Rita’s secretive past come to light? How will Gwen, Jav, and other allies navigate the void left by Leo’s absence? And perhaps most tantalizingly for fans, could a resurrection twist or ghostly cameo bring him back one day?

Conclusion: A Legendary Goodbye

Leo Stark’s exit is a defining moment in the annals of Days of Our Lives. It combines the perfect storm of high-stakes drama, emotional resonance, and unforgettable acting. Greg Ricard’s departure leaves a gaping hole in Salem’s heart, and the impact on the storylines and fans is profound.

For viewers who have followed Leo’s chaotic, glamorous, and occasionally heartbreaking journey, the loss is palpable. But it’s also a testament to the enduring power of soap opera storytelling — where every twist, betrayal, and goodbye keeps audiences emotionally invested season after season.

As Salem moves forward without Leo, one thing remains certain: no character has ever walked away quite like him, and the legacy of his fabulous, scheming, and unforgettable presence will linger in the hearts of fans for years to come.