Cole Howard Exits Y&R Because of Josh Griffith, It Will Shock You!

Cole Howard Exits Y&R Because of Josh Griffith, It Will Shock You!

The Shocking Departure of Cole Howard

Cole Howard, a long-time character on The Young and the Restless (Y&R), officially exited the show on the episode aired on July 3, 2025. The death of Cole shocked fans, especially when it was revealed that this decision was not made by actor J. Eddie Peck, who portrayed Cole, but rather was a creative decision by head writer Josh Griffith.

In the episode, Cole Howard dies from Legionnaire’s disease, a rare lung disease that begins with mild symptoms like a cough. Actor J. Eddie Peck shared that he was only informed about his character’s death a week before filming. Josh Griffith called him and said, “Eddie, I guess you know what’s going to happen now, right?” That’s when Peck realized his character would not survive.

Fan Reactions

The Y&R fan community expressed disappointment over the way Cole Howard’s character was written out. Many felt that the death of Cole was disrespectful to a character who had been on the show for so long. Some fans even argued that the decision reflected a lack of creativity in developing storylines.

Interview with J. Eddie Peck

In a recent interview, J. Eddie Peck shared his thoughts on leaving Y&R. He expressed gratitude for returning to the show in 2023 and felt honored to be a part of an important storyline. However, he also admitted that Cole’s death was a shock to both him and the fans.

Conclusion

Cole Howard’s exit from Y&R marks a turning point in the storyline and reflects changes in the creative direction of the writing team. Although this decision has been controversial, it opens up opportunities for new stories and characters in the future of the show.

To better understand J. Eddie Peck’s feelings about leaving Y&R, you can watch the video below:

J. Eddie Peck Talks About Leaving Y&R