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What Happened to Eli on DAYS OF OUR LIVES

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Eli Grant has a history on DAYS OF OUR LIVES that goes beyond when the character first appeared as an adult in February 2017. So we’re here to fill in the blanks and answer any questions you might have about his past in Salem. Lamon Archey has been playing the character since his debut in 2017, and although he exited in July 2022, has returned for some visits, the most recent being in February 2024. Here’s everything you need to know about the guy:

Eli is the son of Valerie Grant and David Banning, although he was raised by his mother’s friend, Terrence, and never knew his real father. David Banning is Julie Williams’ son, and many years ago, after a massive falling out with his mother, he was taken in by the Grant family where he fell in love with Valerie. Their engagement was broken off when he had an affair with Trish Clayton and she became pregnant. But now it turns out that Valerie had also given birth to David’s child, although secretly!

David died off-screen in a motorcycle accident, and Eli showed up at the funeral where Valerie was shocked to see him. Although he grew up believing Terrence was his father, when Eli applied to join the FBI, tests were done that revealed there was no way that could be true. Putting two and two together, Eli realized David was his real father, and confronted his mother about lying to him.

Days of Our Lives Valerie Eli Julie
Eli connected with his grandmother, Julie, before his own mother, Valerie.XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

Julie was surprised to learn she had another grandson, but Eli’s appearance in her life helped her deal with the grief of losing her son. She also threw a special lunch so that Eli could meet the Horton family and hear stories of their lives that he missed out on.

Eli was furious with his mother for never allowing him to know his father, and Valerie was devastated by the idea that she’d ruined her son’s life forever. Thankfully, after the intervention of friends and family, Eli began to warm toward Val and ultimately reconciled with her after returning from being stranded on a deserted island following a plane crash.

Working with the Salem PD, Eli has found himself caught up in plenty of drama since his arrival, including the murder of Deimos, which occurred in the Martin House, which he had just received as a gift from his grandmother, Julie!

Days of Our Lives Eli Lani Baby
Eli and Lani mourned the loss of the child they conceived.XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

The handsome detective didn’t have much luck in the romance department, with his relationship with Gabi Hernandez never really getting off the ground because he was convinced she still had feelings for JJ. He got closer to Lani Price and even slept with her after thinking Gabi had spent the night with JJ. He was horrified to later find out Gabi had been trying to keep JJ from killing himself, and things got even worse when Lani turned out to be pregnant! The truth about their one-night stand came out during Gabi’s murder trial and Eli stayed by Lani’s side during her difficult pregnancy, which tragically resulted in the loss of their unborn child.

Eli and Lani clearly still had feelings for each other but were reluctant to act on them so Sheila used her old friendship with Eli to make Lani jealous enough to push the pair together. Eli continued to keep the peace in Salem and worried about Lani’s connection to David, Jordan’s infant son. Her obsession with the boy caused Eli to dump her but they eventually reconciled and he popped the question.

DAYS Gabi Eli Lani
‘Why would you even date Gabi, let alone want to marry her?”XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

Unfortunately, Lani dumped him at the altar and fled Salem, and after a year passed, Eli was working security for DiMera and dating Gabi! When Lani returned from the nunnery, she was shocked to find them together, and interrupted their wedding to reveal that the real reason she’d left Eli at the altar is that Gabi had threatened to kill Julie! Stunned, Eli got back together with Lani and they rejoined the Salem P.D.

Lani learned she was pregnant again, and she and Eli finally tied the knot. Then they learned that they were going to become parents to twins! Lani got upset with Eli when she asked him not to mention her pal Kristen DiMera was back in Salem but he still turned in the fugitive anyway. Things got even worse when the DA threatened to arrest Lani unless Eli got evidence proving Kristen stabbed Victor. After Eli convinced Kristen to confess, Lani was furious with her husband.

Thankfully, the couple was able to reconcile before the birth of their twins, Carver and Julia. And Eli and Lani were a united front when their babies were abducted and they teamed up to rescue them from Vivian Alamain! Eli joined Lani in welcoming her aunt, Paulina Price, to Salem, and although they were unsure, agreed to accept her blank check to help pay for the twins’ college education one day.

DAYS Chanel Abe Eli Paulina
Eli was one of the many people upset at Paulina’s scheme who ultimately forgave her.XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

After Paulina’s scheme to demolish Horton Square to build a superstore was exposed, Lani was furious and they tore up that check, but after a while, Eli convinced his wife to give her aunt another shot. However, things got even more complicated after it was revealed that Paulina was actually Lani’s birth mother. Then, Lani’s biological father, TR Coates, arrived in Salem, and Eli warned him not to mess with either Lani or Paulina. But when his wife seemed willing to reconnect with her dad, Eli investigated Paulina’s abusive ex.

Unfortunately, Eli got too close to the truth and when he caught TR buying drugs, the guy shot Eli and framed the drug dealer! It was touch-and-go for a while, but Eli survived surgery and when he emerged from his coma, he revealed TR had shot him! Cornered, TR went on a rampage and was shot dead in Paulina’s apartment. Although she claimed she was guilty, Lani later revealed to Eli that her mother was covering for her. Eli lied to keep the truth that Lani had killed TR a secret, but was stunned when a guilt-ridden Lani confessed it herself at Paulina and Abe’s wedding! When they weren’t able to strike a plea deal and Lani was sentenced to prison in Maryland, Eli moved there with the twins to remain close to her.

DAYS Eli Lani
Eli never wanted to be far from the woman he loved.XJJohnson/jpistudios.com

Eli brought the kids back for a visit at Christmas 2022, and celebrated the holiday with Abe and Paulina. His next visit in June 2023 was solo and he got mixed up in Abe’s disappearance. When Abe was declared dead, Lani was briefly released from prison for his funeral but they ended up finding out that he was really alive and being held prisoner! After Abe was rescued, Lani returned to prison and Eli assured the family that she’d be eligible for parole soon.

In February 2024, Eli and Lani returned to Salem to support Paulina after her cancer surgery. But they admitted they might not be back for good as Eli was being considered for a job in D.C.

Stay tuned to DAYS to see how his storyline continues!

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