When Cole Howard began coughing on The Young and the Restless, fans immediately feared the worst. But for Eddie J. Peck, the man behind Cole, the storyline didn’t set off alarms. He believed the illness would rekindle Cole and Victoria’s romance—not end Cole’s life for good. Unfortunately, the fans were right.
Eddie J. Peck Didn’t Expect Cole’s Curtain Call
Peck never saw Cole’s death coming. In fact, he thought the character’s illness would deepen ties with Victoria and lead to emotional growth—not a final goodbye. “I wasn’t worried,” Peck said. He thought the story would pivot toward love and healing, not loss.
It wasn’t until head writer Josh Griffith called him directly that the truth hit hard. Josh hinted at Cole’s fate gently, but Peck knew what it meant. That one call shattered his optimism. From that moment, it all started to make sense. “This is all kind of adding up that Cole is not going to survive this one,” Peck admitted.
Shooting Cole’s final moments was emotional. Peck described how difficult it was to hold back tears during rehearsals. He wasn’t crying because he was leaving the show. It was because Cole was leaving. The role had lived in his heart for years, and saying goodbye to the character felt deeply personal.
Peck had a strong hand in shaping Cole’s return in 2023. He envisioned Cole still loving Victoria and embracing Claire as the daughter he never had. The writers honored that by weaving those emotional ties into the script. That connection gave the actor extra depth to deliver a moving performance—one that fans felt deeply too.
Even though it was a farewell, Peck feels grateful. Y&R could have written off Cole long ago, but instead gave Peck the chance to return and say goodbye on his terms. He appreciated the support from longtime viewers, many of whom sent messages and posted heartfelt comments when Cole’s death aired.
The Young and the Restless: A Legacy, A Loss, and A Hopeful Future
Though The Young and the Restless killed off Cole Howard, Eddie J. Peck remains thankful. He described the role as an extension of himself, a presence in his life since the 1990s. And he hopes fans who connected with Cole will stay with him on the next leg of his journey.
Peck is still acting, still advocating, and still passionate. His days are filled with helping rescue animals, but he’d return to daytime in a heartbeat. The bond he felt with Y&R’s cast and crew—his “TV family”—is something he’ll always cherish. As Peck moves forward, he promises to bring the same heart and depth to every role or cause he takes on. “If you liked what you saw in Cole,” he says, “you’ll see it again in whatever I do next.”
Eddie J. Peck may have been surprised by Cole’s fate on The Young and the Restless, but he left the stage with gratitude, grace, and love—for the character, the fans, and the unforgettable journey they shared. For more on Y&R stars, stay with Soap Opera Daily.
