Melissa Reeves replaced on Days of Our Lives by Caddie McClain

Long time Days of Our Lives fans were already reeling from the fact that Kristen Alfonso had departed Salem after 37 years and her character Hope Brady will not be replaced. Now according to Soaps.com fan-favorite Melissa Reeves who has portrayed Jennifer Horton Devereaux since 1985 has exited the NBC Daytime drama and her last scene was October 13. While Alfonso simply wanted to move on, Missy Reeves was having a hard time commuting back and forth from her home in Texas. Unlike Hope, Jennifer will not simply disappear. The character is not leaving Salem but will be replaced by Caddie McClain who is known for her portrayal of Dixie on All My Children.

Longtime fans will have fond memories of when Jennifer lost her virginity to Jack back in the 1980s. At the end of that episode, Francis Reid who portrayed Alice Horton spoke to the viewing audience. She basically said that in her day young women waited until they were married to have sex and that times had changed. Along with castmates who portrayed Bo and Hope, John and Marlena, Shawn and Kimberly, and Steve and Kayla, Jack and Jennifer were also one of the super couples of the 1980s and beloved by fans. Kudos to DOOL for keeping the character on the show. For both Jennifer and Hope to leave would be taking away two popular characters from the Horton family.

Jennifer Horton had been on DOOL since childhood, but Reeves originated the role when the character became an adult in 1985. After a decade in the role Reeves abruptly left the show in 1995. She was sued by Sony TV and Corday Productions a breach of contract and there was an out of court settlement. Reeves ended up paying an unspecified amount of money, which Executive Producer Ken Corday donated to the cause of pediatric AIDS research. Stephanie Cameron took over the role of Jennifer and remained in that role until 1998. In 2000, Reeves returned to Days for a six-year run. She left again when her husband Scott Reeves decided to move their family to Tennessee.

Missy Reeves returned to DOOL as Jennifer in June 2010. It was announced on September 15, 2020, that when the show began taping again after the coronavirus hiatus that Reeves would not be returning. It was revealed at that time that the role would be recast. after a hiatus brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the role would be recast. Melisa Reeves was harshly criticized by fans in 2012 for supporting fast food chain Chick-Fil-A during the controversy when the CEO'said he was against same-sex marriage. She recently caught flack again because she had 'liked' social media posts by conservative commentator Candace Owens.

During her time on Days of Our Lives, Missy Reeves received four Soap Opera Digest Awards. In 1991, she won for "Outstanding Daytime Super Couple" -along with her co-star Matthew Ashford who portrayed Jack Devereaux. In 1992, she shared two more awards with Ashford, this time for Best Daytime Wedding" and "Best Prime time or Daytime Love Story" - Days of Our Lives. In 1994: the actress was chosen as "Hottest Female Star" for her role on Days. Reeves and her husband Scott have been married since 1990 and have two children. Scott, a musician has also been a soap actor on Days as well as General Hospital. A 30 year marriage while working in the entertainment industry is practically unheard of today.

Nothing has been stated as far as what Missy Reeves plans to do in the future. I feel it's safe to say that after a 30 year run on Days, traveling back and forth to and from Texas and with COVID-19 running rampant, Melissa Reeves probably will not make a return visit to the NBC Daytime drama. Those who watch the soaps have learned to never say never but we must take the current situation in the country into consideration. Those who disagree with the views the actress holds probably will not care one way or another what she does next. Her loyal fans wish her well and are waiting to find out what the future hold.