| John Martin | |||||||||||
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| Days Of Our Lives | |||||||||||
| Portrayed by | Robert Brubaker (1966-71) Ed Prentiss (1966; temp) | ||||||||||
| Current status | Former; Regular | ||||||||||
| Duration | 1966-71 | ||||||||||
| First appearance | August 18, 1966 | ||||||||||
| Last appearance | June 16, 1971 | ||||||||||
| Cause/reason | Left Town | ||||||||||
| Created by | William J. Bell | ||||||||||
| Introduced by | Betty Corday | ||||||||||
| Profile | |||||||||||
| Gender | Male | ||||||||||
| Died | Assumed deceased | ||||||||||
| Residence | Unknown Formerly Salem, Illinois | ||||||||||
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John Martin was a character on the soap opera Days of Our Lives.
Storylines
John Martin is the husband of Helen Martin and the father of David Martin, as well as the grandfather of Richard "Dickie" Martin and David Banning. A wealthy resident of Salem, John first appeared when his son David impregnated Susan Hunter and subsequently married her. Initially shocked by this news, John and Helen chose to support their son and his new wife, unaware of the agreement between David and Susan to remain married solely long enough to name their child before placing him for adoption. To assist the newlyweds, John purchased a house for them, and he and Helen did everything possible to aid the couple.
In January, Susan experienced an accident that resulted in the premature birth of a son. Upon discovering the couple's true intentions, John and Helen endeavored to persuade them to raise the child. Ultimately, Susan decided to keep the boy, naming him Richard 'Dickie' Martin in honor of her father. Meanwhile, David began to form a bond with the child, despite his feelings for his former girlfriend, Julie Olson Williams. He planned to leave Susan for Julie and eventually convinced John and Helen to support his decision. On the day of his intended departure, David spent one last afternoon with Dickie, pushing him on a swing he had bought. Tragically, Dickie fell and suffered a fatal head injury, leaving the family devastated, particularly Susan, who was inconsolable. In a confrontation with David, Susan, armed with a gun given to her by John for protection, shot and killed him. She was subsequently put on trial for murder, and John and Helen did everything in their power to ensure her conviction.
During the trial, Helen began to drink excessively, and the couple struggled to cope with their grief. When Julie returned to town to announce her pregnancy with David's child, John and Helen were overjoyed, hoping this new life could signify a fresh start. In a surprising turn of events, Susan is acquitted of murder and released, leaving John and Helen in disbelief. Enraged, Helen vows to take revenge. One afternoon, Susan goes to the Martin Home to seek forgiveness, but an unstable Helen shoots her. Although Susan survives, John is compelled to institutionalize Helen due to her detachment from reality.
Subsequently, John focuses on his new grandchild after Julie initially gives the boy up for adoption but later regrets her decision upon learning that Susan is raising him. Julie seeks assistance from John, who initially supports her but ultimately decides to pursue custody of the child, whom Julie has renamed David. This decision shocks and wounds Julie, as John believes she lacks the maturity to care for his grandchild.
Ultimately, Julie secures custody of David, a decision that John ultimately accepts. For the next few years, John visits David, but eventually, he vanishes from Salem for good.