For the Australian playwright, see Blessed (2009 film).
Melissa Reeves
Birth nameMelissa Brennan
Birth dateMarch 14, 1967 (age 59)
Birth placeEatontown, New Jersey, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1983–present
SpouseScott Reeves (m. 1990)

Melissa Reeves (née Brennan; born March 14, 1967)[1] is an American actress. She is known for playing Jennifer Horton on the NBC Daytime soap opera Days of Our Lives (1985–1995, 2000–2006, 2010–2022, 2024-present). She has been nominated for two Daytime Emmy Awards for her work on Days of Our Lives. She has also won four Soap Opera Digest Awards.

Early life

Reeves was born in Eatontown, New Jersey and raised in Red Bank.[2][3] Her maiden name is Melissa Brennan.[3] Her father was a Disc jockey for a radio station in Asbury Park, where he met musicians like Bruce Springsteen.[4] She has one sibling, a brother.[1]

At the age of thirteen, she started taking the bus and train to New York to attend dance classes, studying with Phil Black. Reeves wanted to become a dancer on Broadway.[2][1] She also studied at the Lee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institute in Manhattan.[5]

Career

1983-1985: Santa Barbara

In the early 1980s, Reeves (then known as Melissa Brennan) began acting in television commercials to help pay for her dance classes. She worked as an extra on the NBC soap opera Another World.[2] She appeared in the afterschool special The Lakeside High Experiment.[1] She also appeared in the film Somewhere, Tomorrow (1983), co-starring with Sarah Jessica Parker.[6]

Reeves moved to Los Angeles in 1984, when she was cast as Jade Perkins on the NBC soap opera Santa Barbara. She was seventeen years old at the time. She became emancipated from her parents and finished high school with a GED.[2] Reeves was dismissed from her role on Santa Barbara after nine months. The character of Jade went out on a date and was never seen again.[7] Reeves received two Young Artist Award nominations for her work on Santa Barbara.[8][9]

1985-1992: Days of Our Lives

In 1985, she guest starred on Hotel and Highway to Heaven.[7] A month after leaving Santa Barbara, Reeves was cast as Jennifer Horton on the NBC soap opera Days of Our Lives. She auditioned with Michael T. Weiss, who played Mike Horton.[2] The role had previously been played by child actress Jennifer Peterson in 1978.[10] Reeves received two Young Artist Award nominations for her work on Days of Our Lives.[11][12]

Reeves played Heather in the thriller film Summer Camp Nightmare (1987).[13] She guest starred on The Hitchhiker.[1]

During her early years on Days of Our Lives, Reeves was involved in teen storylines. In 1990, the character of Jennifer was given an adult storyline when she was paired romantically with Jack Deveraux (Matthew Ashford).[10] In 1991, Reeves and Ashford won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Outstanding Super Couple: Daytime.[14] In 1992, they won Soap Opera Digest Awards for Best Love Story and Best Wedding.[15] In 1992, Reeves was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series.[16]

1992-1999: Leaving Days

Reeves played Jennifer Horton Deveraux in the Days of Our Lives television film One Stormy Night (1992).[17] She also played Jennifer in the Days of Our Lives television film, Night Sins (1993).[18] In 1994, she won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Female Star.[19] She played Jennifer in the Days of Our Lives television film Winter Heat (1994).[20]

In November 1995, Reeves abruptly left Days of Our Lives. Rumors began to circulate when she didn't attend the 30th anniversary party for Days. In a statement, Reeves said, "I'm at a point in my life where I need to spend more time with my husband Scott, and our daughter."[21] Soap Opera Digest reported that Reeves leaving Days disrupted plans for a spinoff involving her character, Jennifer.[21] Reeves' final airdate was December 15, 1995.[10] The role was recast with Stephanie Cameron, who began airing on December 19. Kimberley Simms, Jessica Tuck, and Karen Witter had reportedly been considered to replace Reeves.[21] Corday Productions and Sony Entertainment sued Reeves for breach of contract. The lawsuit was settled out of court with Reeves paying an unspecified sum, which Days Executive Producer Ken Corday donated to pediatric HIV/AIDS research.[22]

In 1999, Reeves and her husband, Scott Reeves, co-starred in the ABC television film Half a Dozen Babies. The movie was based on the true story of the Dilley sextuplets, with the Reeves playing their parents.[23]

2000-present

In 2000, Reeves returned to Days of Our Lives, playing the role of Jennifer Horton.[24] Her first airdate was October 6, 2000.[10]In November 2000, she played Jennifer in the television film Days of Our Lives' 35th Anniversary.[25] She decided to leave the show again in 2006. Reeves was unhappy with her storyline and she wanted to move to Nashville, Tennessee, where her husband works as a country musician. Her last airdate was September 21, 2006.[26]

In 2010, Reeves returned to Days of Our Lives for a short-term visit when the character of Alice Horton died.[27] She aired from June 10, 2010 to July 9, 2010.[10] It was announced in July 2010 that she had signed a long-term contract with the show.[28] She began airing again on November 12, 2010.[10] In 2016, Reeves was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[29] In 2017, she co-starred with her husband, Scott Reeves, in the film Where the Fast Lane Ends.[30]

On September 15, 2020, it was announced that Reeves had opted not to return to the role when filming began again after a hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. The role of Jennifer was recast with Cady McClain. This followed criticism Reeves received from some fans, as well as her co-stars Lamon Archey and Linsey Godfrey, for 'liking' social media posts by conservative commentator Candace Owens which denounced the Black Lives Matter movement.[31] Reeves had previously drawn criticism in 2012 for expressing support for fast-food chain Chick-fil-A during a controversy over its chief operating officer declaring the chain's stance against same-sex marriage.[32]

Reeves has made return appearances to Days of Our Lives in 2021 and 2024.[33]

Personal life

She met actor Scott Reeves when he briefly played the role of Jake on Days of Our Lives. They became engaged on April 1, 1989 in Vancouver, where he was filming Friday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan. Shortly before their wedding, Scott underwent surgery to have an abscess removed from his brain. They were married on March 23, 1990 at Lake Manor Chapel in Chatsworth, California. The Reeves are Christians.[4] They have a daughter, born in 1992, and a son, born in 1997.[1]

Filmography

Film

YearTitleRoleNotes
1983Somewhere, TomorrowGeorginaCredited as Missy Brennen
1987Summer Camp NightmareHeatherCredited as Melissa Brennan
2001Basic TrainingShannonShort film
2017Where the Fast Lane EndsRachel Morgan

Television

YearTitleRoleNotes
1984–1985Santa BarbaraJade Perkins

Contract role Credited as Melissa Brennan

92 episodes

1985HotelJennyEpisode: "Wins and Losses" Credited as Melissa Brennan
Highway to HeavenCathyEpisode: "A Song for Jason: Part One" Credited as Melissa Brennan
1985–1995, 2000–2006, 2010–2020
Guest/Recurring: 2021-2022, 2024-present		Days of Our LivesJennifer HortonContract role
1987The HitchhikerDenise O'MellEpisode: "Homebodies" Credited as Melissa Brennan
1992Days of our Lives: One Stormy NightJennifer HortonTelevision film
1993Days of our Lives: Night SinsJennifer HortonTelevision film
1994Days of our Lives: Winter HeatJennifer HortonTelevision film
1999Half a Dozen BabiesBecki DilleyTelevision film
2000Days of Our Lives' 35th AnniversaryJennifer HortonTelevision film

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryTitleResultRef.
1983–1984Young Artist AwardBest Young Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Television SeriesSanta Barbara[8]
1984–1985Young Artist AwardBest Young Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Television SeriesSanta Barbara[9]
1985–1986Young Artist AwardExceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime SeriesDays of Our Lives[11]
1986–1987Young Artist AwardBest Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama SeriesDays of Our Lives[12]
1991Soap Opera Digest AwardFavorite Daytime Super Couple (shared with Matthew Ashford)Days of Our Lives[14]
1992Soap Opera Digest AwardBest Daytime Wedding (shared with Matthew Ashford)Days of Our Lives[15]
Soap Opera Digest AwardBest Love Story Daytime or Primetime (shared with Matthew Ashford)Days of Our Lives[15]
Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Younger Actress in a Drama SeriesDays of Our Lives[16]
1994Soap Opera Digest AwardHottest Female StarDays of Our Lives[19]
2016Daytime Emmy AwardOutstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama SeriesDays of Our Lives[29]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About the Actors: Melissa Reeves". Soap Central. Archived August 2, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  2. ^ Jacobs, Damon L. (January 18, 2011). "Melissa Reeves: The We Love Soaps TV Interview, Part One". welovesoaps.net. Archived June 2, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  3. ^ "Credits: Melissa Reeves". TV Guide. Archived August 13, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  4. ^ Byron, Ellen (June 25, 1991). "Golden Girl". Soap Opera Digest. 16 (13): 6-10.
  5. ^ Rout, Nancy E. & Buckley, Ellen (1992). The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama. Todd Publications. p. 225. ISBN 978-0-915344-23-9.
  6. ^ "Somewhere Tomorrow - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived August 13, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "#TBT - Melissa Reeves". Soap Opera Digest. October 31, 2019. Archived July 15, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  8. ^ "Sixth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1983-1984". youngartistawards.org. Archived June 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  9. ^ "Seventh Annual Youth in Film Awards 1984-1985". youngartistawards.org. Archived February 4, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved February 4, 2012.
  10. ^ "Who's Who in Salem: Jennifer Horton Deveraux". Soap Central. Archived July 11, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  11. ^ "Eighth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1985-1986". youngartistawards.org. Archived May 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved May 24, 2012.
  12. ^ "Ninth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1986-1987". youngartistawards.org. Archived June 24, 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved June 24, 2012.
  13. ^ "Summer Camp Nightmare - Full Cast & Crew". TV Guide. Archived August 14, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  14. ^ "The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1991". Soap Opera Digest. Archived August 9, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 7, 2024.
  15. ^ "The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1992". Soap Opera Digest. Archived August 9, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  16. ^ "The Nineteenth Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1992)". Soap Central. Archived August 13, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  17. ^ Slate, Libby (January 10, 1992). "For Soap Awards, a Nighttime 'Days' : Television: The special 'Days of Our Lives' episode will precede the first prime-time Soap Opera Digest Awards broadcast.". Los Angeles Times. Archived August 8, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  18. ^ "Days of Our Lives: Night Sins". Turner Classic Movies. Archived July 3, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 8, 2024.
  19. ^ "The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1994". Soap Opera Digest. Archived August 9, 2004 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  20. ^ "Days of Our Lives: Winter Heat". Turner Classic Movies. Archived March 7, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  21. ^ "Late-Breaking News: Days Bombshell: Reeves Quits". Soap Opera Digest. 20 (26): 4-5. December 19, 1995.
  22. ^ Waldo, Garren (August 4, 2019). "Five Fast Facts About Days of Our Lives' Melissa Reeves". Soap Hub. Archived March 4, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  23. ^ Speier, Michael (May 17, 1999). "Half a Dozen Babies". Variety. Archived May 12, 2021 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  24. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (September 10, 2000). "Melissa Reeves returning to Days". Soap Central. Archived August 8, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  25. ^ "Days of Our Lives' 35th Anniversary". AV Club. Archived July 9, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved July 9, 2024.
  26. ^ Kroll, Dan J. (June 14, 2006). "Reeves Trading Salem for Nashville". Soap Central. Archived September 11, 2023 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2011-03-10.
  27. ^ Logan, Michael (June 7, 2010). "Days of Our Lives Bids Farewell to Alice Horton". TV Guide. Archived March 9, 2016 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  28. ^ Bowe, Jillian (July 30, 2010). "Melissa Reeves Back on Days of Our Lives". Daytime Confidential. Archived May 28, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  29. ^ "Daytime Emmy Winners: Complete List". Variety. May 1, 2016. Archived October 30, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  30. ^ "Special Movie Premiere: "Where the Fast Lane Ends"". rfdtv.com. April 21, 2017. Archived April 21, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.
  31. ^ Ausiello, Michael (2020-09-15). "Days of Our Lives' Melissa Reeves Out, All My Children Vet Cady McClain In as Jennifer — But for How Long?". TVLine. Archived August 14, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  32. ^ Giddens, Jamey (August 2, 2012). "Days of Our Lives Star Melissa Reeves Tweeted Support During Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day". Daytime Confidential. Archived October 1, 2022 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved 2020-09-19.
  33. ^ Bowe, Jillian (April 10, 2024). "Melissa Reeves Returns to Days of Our Lives". Daytime Confidential. Archived August 14, 2024 at the Wayback Machine. Retrieved August 14, 2024.