Melissa Reeves is one actress who has graced our screens with her undeniable talent and acting skills for more than three decades. She has been active since the early 80s and though her resume is not one that overflows with acting credits, she has managed to have us glued to our screens and wanting more anytime she appears. She made appearances in several films and TV shows but is best known for originating the role of Jennifer Horton which she has played on and off since 1985 on the NBC series Days of Our Lives. Herein are deets and facts about the TV star.
Melissa Reeves – Biography
She was born on the 14th of March, 1967, in Eatontown, New Jersey and given the name Melissa Brennan. Other than her birth name, she is also known by these monikers; Missy Brennan, Melissa B. Reeves, Melissa Brennan Reeves, or Missy Reeves. Melissa holds American nationality but has not revealed her ethnicity. She is one of two children along with her brother David, born to Lawrence Brennan who is a radio broadcaster and his wife Marion Brennan. The actress Elizabeth Percy is her cousin.
Growing up, she nursed the dream of becoming a professional dancer but fate seemed to have a different path carved for her, though, in the entertainment industry still. Reeves graduated from high school in Los Angeles. She studied dance with in New York City before proceeding to the Lee Strasberg Institute in Manhattan.
Her first acting credit was in the 1983 film Somewhere, Tomorrow where she played the role of Georgina. The following year, she landed her first TV acting role as Jade Perkins on the soap Santa Barbara. She helmed the role until 1985 and was nominated twice (1985, 1986) for Young Artist Award for Best Young Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime Television Series.
Following up, she landed a berth on the popular NBC daytime soap, Days of Our Lives in 1985. She originated the role of the adult Jennifer Horton and played until 1995. While giving expression to the TV character, Melissa Reeves also starred in the film Summer Camp Nightmare as Heather in 1987, as well as reprised her Days of Our Lives role in the TV films Days of our Lives: One Stormy Night (1992), Days of our Lives: Night Sins (1993), and Days of our Lives: Winter Heat (1994). Moreover, she had a guest role in the mystery anthology series, The Hitchhiker as Denise O’Mell in 1987.
In 1999, she appeared in another made-for-television film Half a Dozen Babies as Becki Dilley alongside her husband, Scott. After she left Days, Stephanie Cameron replaced her and played the role until 1998. Melissa was rehired by the producers of the show at the turn of the century, in 2000. On her second stint, she lasted until 2006 after which she confirmed that she was leaving.
Melissa Reeves returned to Days of Our Lives on June 9, 2010, and has continued to play the role of Jennifer Horton.
Awards and Nominations
Melissa Reeves has received a number of recognition and awards for her performances both on the big and small screens. Besides the two Young Artist Awards nominations for Santa Barbara, she has also received two more and a Daytime Emmy Award in 1992 for Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series for Days. In addition, the actress has won four Soap Opera Digest Awards for Days of Our Lives.
Net Worth
Over the years, the Days actress has built up a fortune for herself through her acting career. Her net worth has been estimated at $9 million.
Controversy
Her first departure from Days was described as abrupt. As a result, she was sued by Corday Productions and Sony TV Entertainment for breach of contract. The matter was, however, settled out-of-court and she paid an unspecified sum which was donated to pediatric AIDS research by the show’s Executive Producer Ken Corday.
Family Life
Melissa tied the knot with soap opera actor and country music singer, Scott Reeves on March 23, 1990. Scott has appeared in such shows as General Hospital, Nashville, Days Of Our Lives and The Young and the Restless.
The soap stars share two children: a daughter named Emily Taylor Reeves (born June 23, 1992) and a son, Lawrence “Larry” David Reeves (born August 4, 1997). After she took a break from television in 2006, Melissa Reeves moved with her family to Nashville, where they have a farm named Revival Farm.
Height, Weight, Body Stats
Reeves is a very beautiful woman with all the contours in the right places. She stands at 5 feet and weighs a healthy 61 kg. Though her body stats are not known, they would be nothing short of amazing. Her features are further highlighted by her blonde hair and blue eyes.
