Melissa Reeves
Melissa Reeves | |
|---|---|
 Reeves in 2010 | |
| Born | Melissa Brennan March 14, 1967 |
| Occupation | Actress |
| Years active | 1983–present |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
Melissa Reeves(néeBrennan;born March 14, 1967)[1]is an American actress. She is known for playingJennifer Hortonon theNBC Daytimesoap operaDays of Our Lives(1985–1995, 2000–2006, 2010–2022). She has been nominated for twoDaytime Emmy Awardsfor her work onDays of Our Lives.She has also won fourSoap Opera Digest Awards.
Early life
[edit]Reeves was born inEatontown, New Jerseyand raised inRed Bank.[2][3]Her maiden name is Melissa Brennan.[3]Her father was a Disc jockey for a radio station inAsbury Park,where he met musicians likeBruce 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 theLee Strasberg Theatre and Film Institutein Manhattan.[5]
Career
[edit]1983-1985:Santa Barbara
[edit]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 operaAnother World.[2]She appeared in the afterschool specialThe Lakeside High Experiment.[1]She also appeared in the filmSomewhere, Tomorrow(1983), co-starring withSarah Jessica Parker.[6]
Reeves moved to Los Angeles in 1984, when she was cast asJade Perkinson the NBC soap operaSanta Barbara.She was seventeen years old at the time. She becameemancipatedfrom her parents and finished high school with aGED.[2]Reeves was dismissed from her role onSanta Barbaraafter nine months. The character of Jade went out on a date and was never seen again.[7]Reeves received twoYoung Artist Awardnominations for her work onSanta Barbara.[8][9]
1985-1992:Days of Our Lives
[edit]In 1985, she guest starred onHotelandHighway to Heaven.[7]A month after leavingSanta Barbara,Reeves was cast asJennifer Hortonon the NBC soap operaDays of Our Lives.She auditioned withMichael 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 onDays of Our Lives.[11][12]
Reeves played Heather in the thriller filmSummer Camp Nightmare(1987).[13]She guest starred onThe Hitchhiker.[1]
During her early years onDays 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 withJack Deveraux(Matthew Ashford).[10]In 1991, Reeves and Ashford won aSoap Opera Digest Awardfor 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 aDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series.[16]
1992-1999: LeavingDays
[edit]Reeves played Jennifer Horton Deveraux in theDays of Our Livestelevision filmOne Stormy Night(1992).[17]She also played Jennifer in theDays of Our Livestelevision film,Night Sins(1993).[18]In 1994, she won a Soap Opera Digest Award for Hottest Female Star.[19]She played Jennifer in theDays of Our Livestelevision filmWinter Heat(1994).[20]
In November 1995, Reeves abruptly leftDays of Our Lives.Rumors began to circulate when she didn't attend the 30th anniversary party forDays.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 Digestreported that Reeves leavingDaysdisrupted 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,andKaren Witterhad reportedly been considered to replace Reeves.[21]Corday ProductionsandSony Entertainmentsued Reeves for breach of contract. The lawsuit was settled out of court with Reeves paying an unspecified sum, whichDaysExecutive ProducerKen Cordaydonated to pediatricHIV/AIDSresearch.[22]
In 1999, Reeves and her husband,Scott Reeves,co-starred in the ABC television filmHalf a Dozen Babies.The movie was based on the true story of theDilley sextuplets,with the Reeves' playing their parents.[23]
2000-present
[edit]In 2000, Reeves returned toDays 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 filmDays 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 toNashville, Tennessee,where her husband works as a country musician. Her last airdate was September 21, 2006.[26]
In 2010, Reeves returned toDays of Our Livesfor a short-term visit when the character ofAlice Hortondied.[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 aDaytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[29]In 2017, she co-starred with her husband, Scott Reeves, in the filmWhere 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 theCOVID-19 pandemic.The role of Jennifer was recast withCady McClain.This followed criticism Reeves received from some fans, as well as her co-starsLamon ArcheyandLinsey Godfrey,for 'liking' social media posts by conservative commentatorCandace Owenswhich denounced theBlack Lives Mattermovement.[31]Reeves had previously drawn criticism in 2012 for expressing support for fast-food chainChick-fil-Aduring a controversy over itschief operating officerdeclaring the chain's stance againstsame-sex marriage.[32]
Reeves has made return appearances toDays of Our Livesin 2021 and 2024.[33]
Personal life
[edit]She met actorScott Reeveswhen he briefly played the role of Jake onDays of Our Lives.They became engaged on April 1, 1989 in Vancouver, where he was filmingFriday the 13th Part VIII: Jason Takes Manhattan.Shortly before their wedding, Scott underwent surgery to have anabscessremoved from his brain. They were married on March 23, 1990 at Lake Manor Chapel inChatsworth,California.The Reeves' areChristians.[4]They have a daughter, born in 1992, and a son, born in 1997.[1]
Filmography
[edit]Film
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1983 | Somewhere, Tomorrow | Georgina | Credited as Missy Brennen |
| 1987 | Summer Camp Nightmare | Heather | Credited as Melissa Brennan |
| 2001 | Basic Training | Shannon | Short film |
| 2017 | Where the Fast Lane Ends | Rachel Morgan |
Television
[edit]| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984–1985 | Santa Barbara | Jade Perkins | Contract role
Credited as Melissa Brennan 92 episodes |
| 1985 | Hotel | Jenny | Episode: "Wins and Losses"
Credited as Melissa Brennan |
| Highway to Heaven | Cathy | Episode: "A Song for Jason: Part One"
Credited as Melissa Brennan | |
| 1985–1995, 2000–2006, 2010–2020 Guest: 2021-2022, 2024 |
Days of Our Lives | Jennifer Horton | Contract role |
| 1987 | The Hitchhiker | Denise O'Mell | Episode: "Homebodies"
Credited as Melissa Brennan |
| 1992 | Days of our Lives: One Stormy Night | Jennifer Horton | Television film |
| 1993 | Days of our Lives: Night Sins | Jennifer Horton | Television film |
| 1994 | Days of our Lives: Winter Heat | Jennifer Horton | Television film |
| 1999 | Half a Dozen Babies | Becki Dilley | Television film |
| 2000 | Days of Our Lives' 35th Anniversary | Jennifer Horton | Television film |
Awards and nominations
[edit]| Year | Award | Category | Title | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1983–1984 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Television Series | Santa Barbara | Nominated | [8] |
| 1984–1985 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Television Series | Santa Barbara | Nominated | [9] |
| 1985–1986 | Young Artist Award | Exceptional Performance by a Young Actor in a Daytime Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | [11] |
| 1986–1987 | Young Artist Award | Best Young Actress Starring in a Television Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | [12] |
| 1991 | Soap Opera Digest Award | Favorite Daytime Super Couple(shared withMatthew Ashford) | Days of Our Lives | Won | [14] |
| 1992 | Soap Opera Digest Award | Best Daytime Wedding(shared with Matthew Ashford) | Days of Our Lives | Won | [15] |
| Soap Opera Digest Award | Best Love Story Daytime or Primetime(shared with Matthew Ashford) | Days of Our Lives | Won | [15] | |
| Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | [16] | |
| 1994 | Soap Opera Digest Award | Hottest Female Star | Days of Our Lives | Won | [19] |
| 2016 | Daytime Emmy Award | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series | Days of Our Lives | Nominated | [29] |
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^abcdef"About the Actors: Melissa Reeves".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon August 2, 2024.RetrievedAugust 12,2024.
- ^abcdeJacobs, Damon L. (January 18, 2011)."Melissa Reeves: The We Love Soaps TV Interview, Part One".welovesoaps.net.Archived fromthe originalon June 2, 2023.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^ab"Credits: Melissa Reeves".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^abByron, Ellen (June 25, 1991). "Golden Girl".Soap Opera Digest.16(13): 6–10.
- ^Rout, Nancy E.; Buckley, Ellen (1992).The Soap Opera Book: Who's Who in Daytime Drama.Todd Publications. p. 225.ISBN978-0-915344-23-9.
- ^"Somewhere Tomorrow - Full Cast & Crew".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^ab"#TBT - Melissa Reeves".Soap Opera Digest.October 31, 2019. Archived fromthe originalon July 15, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^ab"Sixth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1983-1984".youngartistawards.org.Archived fromthe originalon June 24, 2012.RetrievedJune 24,2012.
- ^ab"Seventh Annual Youth in Film Awards 1984-1985".youngartistawards.org.Archived fromthe originalon February 4, 2012.RetrievedFebruary 4,2012.
- ^abcdef"Who's Who in Salem: Jennifer Horton Deveraux".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon July 11, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^ab"Eighth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1985-1986".youngartistawards.org.Archived fromthe originalon May 24, 2012.RetrievedMay 24,2012.
- ^ab"Ninth Annual Youth in Film Awards 1986-1987".youngartistawards.org.Archived fromthe originalon June 24, 2012.RetrievedJune 24,2012.
- ^"Summer Camp Nightmare - Full Cast & Crew".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon August 14, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^ab"The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1991".Soap Opera Digest.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2004.RetrievedAugust 7,2024.
- ^abc"The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1992".Soap Opera Digest.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2004.RetrievedAugust 8,2024.
- ^ab"The Nineteenth Annual Daytime Emmy Awards (1992)".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon August 13, 2024.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^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 fromthe originalon August 8, 2024.RetrievedAugust 8,2024.
- ^"Days of Our Lives: Night Sins".tcm.Archived fromthe originalon July 3, 2022.RetrievedAugust 8,2024.
- ^ab"The Soap Opera Digest Awards 1994".Soap Opera Digest.Archived fromthe originalon August 9, 2004.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^"Days of Our Lives: Winter Heat".tcm.Archived fromthe originalon March 7, 2021.RetrievedAugust 13,2024.
- ^abc"Late-Breaking News: Days Bombshell: Reeves Quits".Soap Opera Digest.20(26): 4–5. December 19, 1995.
- ^Waldo, Garren (August 4, 2019)."Five Fast Facts About Days of Our Lives' Melissa Reeves".Soap Hub.Archived fromthe originalon March 4, 2024.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^Speier, Michael (May 17, 1999)."Half a Dozen Babies".Variety.Archived fromthe originalon May 12, 2021.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^Kroll, Dan J. (September 10, 2000)."Melissa Reeves returning to Days".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon August 8, 2024.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Days of Our Lives' 35th Anniversary".AV Club.Archived fromthe originalon July 9, 2024.RetrievedJuly 9,2024.
- ^Kroll, Dan J. (June 14, 2006)."Reeves Trading Salem for Nashville".Soap Central.Archived fromthe originalon September 11, 2023.Retrieved2011-03-10.
- ^Logan, Michael (June 7, 2010)."Days of Our Lives Bids Farewell to Alice Horton".TV Guide.Archived fromthe originalon March 9, 2016.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^Bowe, Jillian (July 30, 2010)."Melissa Reeves Back on Days of Our Lives".Daytime Confidential.Archived fromthe originalon May 28, 2022.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^ab"Daytime Emmy Winners: Complete List".Variety.May 1, 2016. Archived fromthe originalon October 30, 2022.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^"Special Movie Premiere:" Where the Fast Lane Ends "".rfdtv.April 21, 2017. Archived fromthe originalon April 21, 2024.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
- ^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 fromthe originalon August 14, 2024.Retrieved2020-09-19.
- ^Giddens, Jamey (August 2, 2012)."Days of Our Lives Star Melissa Reeves Tweeted Support During Chick-fil-A Appreciation Day".Daytime Confidential.Archived fromthe originalon October 1, 2022.Retrieved2020-09-19.
- ^Bowe, Jillian (April 10, 2024)."Melissa Reeves Returns to Days of Our Lives".Daytime Confidential.Archived fromthe originalon August 14, 2024.RetrievedAugust 14,2024.
External links
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