Melissa Reeves Returns To ‘DOOL’ For Special Reason
After a three-year absence, Melissa Reeves is returning to DOOL as Jennifer Rose Horton for a special reason. And she’s not the only alum coming back to Salem. Keep reading for all the details.
Why Melissa Reeves Left DOOL
Melissa Reeves joined the NBC soap Days of Our Lives in 1985 as Jennifer Rose Horton. Jennifer eventually paired with Jack (Matthew Ashford) to become one of the mega-popular soap super couples of the decade. Melissa Reeves played the character off-and-on before leaving the show in 2020. She said at the time that she didn’t want to travel from her home in Tennessee to California during the pandemic.
The network brought in soap vet Cady McClain, who famously played Dixie on All My Children. Melissa Reeves did make a brief appearance in 2021, but Cady McClain resumed the role in 2022 for a major storyline involving the death of Jack and Jennifer’s daughter Abigail (Marci Miller.)
Since her time away from the soap, Melissa Reeves has fully embraced the farm life in Tennessee with her husband of 34 years, Y&R alum Scott Reeves.
Jennifer Rose Horton Returns To Salem For Special Reason
This week, news broke that Melissa Reeves is returning to the stomping grounds she called home for nearly 40 years for a very special reason. Jennifer Horton will be home for Thanksgiving this year, but it will be a sad occasion. The soap is honoring actor Bill Hayes, who starred as Doug Williams for over 50 years.
He passed away earlier this year. Since DOOL films so far in advance, the tribute won’t air until November.
Jennifer Rose Horton isn’t the only one heading back to Salem. Gloria Loring is returning as Liz, a character she last played in 1986. There isn’t any word yet if Matthew Ashford will return as Jack. Fans also hope to see Kristian Alfonso and Peter Reckell back as Hope and Bo.
Would She Return Full-Time?
Many DOOL fans would love to see Melissa Reeves back as Jennifer Horton for good. But is the actress interested in returning to the soap full-time?
She told TV Insider that she would be open to the idea. But there’s just one problem: she doesn’t have anywhere to stay in Los Angeles anymore. “I always had family in Los Angeles but all the Reeveses have moved to Tennessee!”
The actress also recounted a special memory with the late Bill Hayes. “That’s one of my sweetest memories of him, him teaching me how to ballroom dance in between scenes and I will never forget it.”
Are you happy Melissa Reeves will be playing Jennifer Horton for the tribute honoring her long-time co-star? Sound off in the comments.
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