<P> Patton and Massey were both nominated for Daytime Emmy Awards for their portrayal of Will, and Massey went on to win the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series in 2012--the first time the award had been won for a gay character . Massey won again in 2013 and 2014, becoming the first actor ever to win three consecutive awards in the Younger Actor category . </P> <P> Will was written out of the show a month before its 50th anniversary, with the character being graphically murdered in the episode of October 9, 2015 . This generated "major" fan backlash, and criticism in the soap press, as well as accusations that Days of Our Lives was pandering to anti-gay sentiment in its audience base . Sweeney, who had left the show, but returned to shoot the funeral, said "it was a huge mistake to kill Will, especially for the show's 50th anniversary". After Days changed headwriters, on May 8, 2017, Entertainment Weekly reported that Massey was returning to Days of Our Lives to play Will . The same day, new headwriter Ron Carlivati indicated Will may not have died after all . Massey's first new episode was broadcast on September 15, 2017 . </P> <P> Identical twins Shawn and Taylor Carpenter originally played Will . They were only six weeks old when they started, and they portrayed Will from babyhood until six years old (1995 to 2002). In 2002, Days decided they wanted a trained young actor playing Will, and nine - year - old Darian Weiss was cast, and the character was rapidly - aged three years . A year later (2003), Christopher Gerse took over as Will . Gerse was able to attend regular school whilst working on Days, including playing on his school's basketball team, just like his character . In 2005, Days were again planning to rapidly age Will, and were "actively seeking out a new actor to play the role"--but the plans were shelved when new storyline for the younger Will "became available", and Gerse was retained to "preserve the believability of Alison Sweeney and Bryan Dattilo as his parents". Will was not aged again, and Gerse continued until 2007 when Will was written out (by having the character go to live with his uncle and aunt in Switzerland). In addition, for one episode in January 2008, Gerse provided Will's voice for a phonecall . </P> <P> In 2009, Will now sixteen, was reintroduced with actor Dylan Patton . In 2010 the role was again recast with Chandler Massey, a newcomer to daytime television, reportedly to facilitate a new storyline . Before he started, Massey watched as many episodes of the series as he could find to familiarize himself with the character . Massey's younger brother Christian was employed to play Will in flashbacks for the episode of February 8, 2013 . After Massey's second Emmy win in 2013, he revealed he would vacate the role to return to university after his current contract expired . Executive Producer Ken Corday said, "I wish he would stay . I keep telling him to change his mind, don't go away...The door will always be open here to Chandler . We are not going to recast Will, but I wish him well". Massey expressed he would support a recast, saying "I don't want Will and Sonny to break up . I want them to be together forever and go off and get married", and "if they decide to bring someone else to play Will, I won't be upset and bitter . I want what is best for WilSon!" On August 23, 2013, it was reported Massey had left the show effective immediately, and the show would go ahead with a recast due to the character's current storyline . </P>

Who used to play will on days of our lives