Question: Abe Carver has been played by the American actor who debuted it since what year?

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Randall Carver: Randall Carver (born May 25 in Fort Worth, Texas) is an American actor.  Carver started his acting career in the late 1960s, and portrayed roles in films and television.  Notably, he portrayed John Burns in "Taxi" throughout the first season (1978–79) until his character was written out of the series and then replaced by Jim Ignatowski, portrayed by Christopher Lloyd, for subsequent seasons.

Courtney B. Vance: Courtney Bernard Vance (born March 12, 1960) is an American actor.  He is notable for his roles in the feature films "Hamburger Hill" and "The Hunt for Red October," the television series "", in which he played Assistant District Attorney Ron Carver, and , in which he played Johnnie Cochran.  For the latter, he won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie.  He guest starred on the TNT series "The Closer" as Chief Tommy Delk from 2010–11.  In 2013, he won a Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his role in "Lucky Guy".

Greg Herman: Greg Herman is an American actor, producer, and fashion designer.  He is best known for his luxury brand of handbags and accessories.  Herman also works extensively in television.  In 2016, Herman began development on Universal and MTV’s new one-hour drama series 'BLOOMS' with Drew Barrymore, Max Carver, and Charlie Carver.  Additionally, Herman is set to host the new fashion-based docuseries ‘Who What Wear‘.  He is currently represented by the talent agency William Morris Endeavor and Authentic Talent in New York.

Valerie Grant: Valerie Grant is a fictional character from "Days of Our Lives", an American soap opera on the NBC network.  The character was created by Pat Falken Smith and introduced as the black love interest for white character David Banning.  The role was originated by actress Tina Andrews in 1975 and Andrews was replaced by Rose Fonseca in the summer of 1977.  Valerie and her family take David in when he is injured in a car accident and they soon fall in love.  David and Valerie become engaged in the summer of 1976 but the romance is plagued by his infidelity, his ex-girlfriend Brooke Hamilton and her mother Helen's unwillingness to accept the relationship.  When David's affair with Trish Clayton results in pregnancy, Valerie ends the relationship and takes a scholarship to medical school at Howard University in 1978.  Actress Diane Sommerfield took over the role in 1981 when Valerie returns as a medical intern at the hospital.  She becomes involved with Abe Carver which is plagued by Val's residual feelings for David and Abe's unwillingness to get married one day.  The character is written out in 1982.

James Reynolds (actor): James Reynolds (born August 10, 1946) is an American dramatic actor.

Max Carver: Max Carver (born Robert Maxwell Martensen Jr; August 1, 1988) is an American actor.  He is known for his role as Preston Scavo in the ABC television series "Desperate Housewives", and as Aiden on the MTV teen-horror drama "Teen Wolf".  He starred in the first season of the HBO series "The Leftovers".  His twin brother Charlie Carver portrayed the twin of his characters in all three shows.

Charlie Carver: Charlie Carver (born Charles Carver Martensen; July 31, 1988) is an American actor.  His best known roles include Porter Scavo on the ABC television series "Desperate Housewives", Ethan on the MTV television series "Teen Wolf", and Scott Frost on the first season of the HBO television series "The Leftovers".  His twin brother Max Carver has frequently portrayed the twin of his characters.

Lexie Carver: Lexie Carver is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives", created by head writer Leah Laiman.  The role has been played most notably by actress Renée Jones, who appeared in the role from 1993 until departing in 2012.  She is the daughter of crime boss Stefano DiMera, and the psychic Celeste Perrault.  She is the mother of Theo Carver, and the wife of former mayor Abe Carver.

Abe Carver: Abe Carver is a fictional character on the long-running American soap opera "Days of Our Lives".  Actor James Reynolds has played the character since he originated it on the series in 1981, and is currently the third longest serving actor on the show.  The character was created by head writer Pat Falken Smith.  Abe is the widowed husband of Lexie Carver, daughter of international crime lord, Stefano DiMera.  He is the father of Brandon Walker, Theo Carver and Lani Price.

Brandon Walker: Brandon Walker is a fictional character on the NBC soap opera "Days of Our Lives".  He was played by Matt Cedeño from 1999 to 2003 and again in 2004 and 2005.  He is Nicole and Taylor Walker's half-brother.  His mother Fay Walker had an affair with Commander Abe Carver while she was married to Paul Mendez.

Supporting paragraphs: Abe Carver James Reynolds (actor)
Answer: 1981