A Black History Month Celebration: Actor Lamon Archey on ‘Days of Our Lives,’ ‘All American’ and Working with Jackée!

(Last Updated On: January 14, 2022)

Lamon Archey….Lamon plays Eli Grant on Days of our Lives. Eli is one-half of one of the hottest couples in daytime right now, Elani, playing opposite Lani Grant (Sal Stowers.) Elani was named Best Wedding by Soap Opera Digest in 2020. Currently, Lamon also has a recurring role on All American, The CW’s popular sports drama series. Lamon was recently upped to a recurring role for season 3 after his guest-starring role in the show’s Season 2 finale. 

We are big fans of Lamon and couldn’t be happier for him for all of his recent success and given his immense talent, we know it’s only upward from here! We were glad for another chance to speak to him as it is always a fun time. Mr. Archey is our first Black History Month Celebration Feature.

Originally from the Bay Area, Lamon began his career in the entertainment industry as a model when he was “scouted at a job fair” after moving to Los Angeles. He enjoyed a successful modeling career for several years before heeding the advice of his manager and enrolling in acting classes. In 2012, he landed his first big role on The Young and the Restless where he recurred playing Mason Wilder for a couple of years. It was in 2017 that Lamon graced our screens as Eli Grant in Salem and what a time we have been having ever since!


On occasions in soapland, after a couple has gone to “soap hell” and back and finally ties the knot they can disappear from our screens for a while. But that has not been the case for Eli and Lani. They were front and center before their nuptials and we are ecstatic that they have remained that way. Elani recently had a mini-break up and had only just reconciled before Lani gave birth to the couple’s twins; Carver and “Jules”. But the couple’s happiness was short-lived. “As you know, Elani’s twins have been kidnapped. I can say it won’t be a long drawn out story with the twins missing. You’ve got what I like to say are the two best cops in Salem who are the parents of the missing twins. They aren’t messing around. It’s going to be full steam ahead to find their babies.” We know with COVID it will take some time. But we just can’t wait until Carver and Jules are cast and are on-screen in Salem.

Days’ fans were just beside themselves (us included) when the news broke that Jackée (227, Sister, Sister) was joining Days of our Lives. So exciting! When we spoke to Lamon it had only been a few days since Jackée had started filming. He spoke to us about the positive and tangible effect her presence has had on the show since her first day on set. “Working with Jackée, how can you even describe it? Oh my God, she is so funny. We felt her impact the very first day working with her. You feel something when you work with her. You can actually see, feel and know things are different and for the better. There’s a different vibe. It just feels good when she steps on set. It’s relaxed. It’s fun. I can’t tell you how happy I am that she’s here and a part of Days. Sal and I have talked about it and she feels the same way. It really does feel good.” Can’t wait!

Right after the kidnapping storyline wraps up Eli and Lani will be involved in Jackée’s storyline. As Lamon put it, “The fans can expect us to keep rolling back to back.” Fans can also expect to see several new faces in Salem as Lamon recently teased on his Instagram story. “There will be quite a few new African Americans on the show. They are characters that the fans have been waiting to see, and will be happy to see. So, things will be looking a little different in Salem which is a good thing.” Yes! 

In Salem we have Black characters in A stories, broom jumping, braids, Black love, Black newborn twins, headscarves, three generations of Black characters on screen, new Black characters on the horizon; the African American community is being well represented. We asked Lamon what it means to him to be a part of the next generation of Black actors in daytime. “It definitely means a lot to me to be a part of Days‘ Black history and black history in general for soap operas. There aren’t many of us. I wish there were more Black actors in daytime. Also, sometimes we have Black characters on a show but aren’t necessarily in the forefront and might not be seen that often. So, I’m grateful, happy, and blessed. But I’m still pushing for change.” Yes, grateful and happy but always pushing for change. 


As we mentioned previously, Lamon is also appearing in a recurring role on All American as Superintendent D’Angelo Carter. We wanted to know as much about the role as Lamon was able to tell us. “You’ll see me on the first and the second episode of the season. Then I’ll be on a little break and you won’t see me for a bit. The plan from what I understand, (because I haven’t shot all of this), is that I’ll be back towards the middle and the end of the season. So, you will see me throughout the season. DeAngelo Carter will be implementing some changes that won’t be helpful to the football team. He won’t be making things easier. Look for him to make things harder not only for the staff but also for the team and the students as well. I guess you can say he is the villain in all of this.”

We were interested to hear Lamon’s thoughts on working in primetime versus daytime. “It is different. In primetime you have the opportunity to try new things. I can do one take and then think, you know what I want to try something different. You can find out what works best for you and what doesn’t. If needed you can fix something or change it. Now, this season on All American because of COVID they aren’t allowing as many takes as they would have last season. They want the actors on set for the least amount of time with their masks off so you don’t get as many takes. But it is still more than in daytime. On Days I usually get one take therefore you want to make sure whatever you are doing is right. If I try something new and hate it, I’m usually stuck with it. Although, we never know what is going to ultimately be included in the final cut, in primetime you are a little freer to experiment. But as an actor what is most important is putting out your best performance and doing your best so whether I’m working in daytime or primetime that is always my primary focus.”

Onward and upward, Lamon is excitedly looking forward to what’s next and is so appreciative for his fans who have been supporting him, Eli and Elani. “A big shout out to the fans who made their voices heard and made Days take notice. Elani has the potential to be one of the greats. I give all the credit to the fans. Well, maybe I have to give some of the credit to Sal and me.” Laughter. “Seriously the fans really fought for us and then the writers, producers, and directors saw it and invested in us and we are super grateful. There is some good stuff coming up in Salem and on All American. Thank you so much for the continued support.”

Thanks so much, Lamon!

Watch Lamon on Days of our Lives and All American!

I AM KP Smith

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