BREAKING NEWS: Renee Jones (Lexie) QUITS Days of Our Lives & Acting Altogether!

[Brian Damage]

Say it ain't so, dah-lings?! TV Guide's Michael Logan is reporting Days of Our Lives' Renee Jones is saying au revoir to Salem. Before you get out your pitch forks and torches, the actress says it was all her idea to leave the soap opera — and acting period!



TV Guide Magazine: Actresses don't quit show biz. Show biz quits them!

Jones: Like they say, life is not a dress rehearsal! I am so excited about this decision. It's been on my mind for over a year. I am so grateful to Days for 20 years of steady employment — it's been a fantastic opportunity — but I finally had to stop and ask myself, "What really makes me happy? What really brings me joy in life?" And it's not acting. I just don't want to do this anymore. I was raised on a farm in Georgia and I want to get back to that silence, that solitude. I want to spend all day enjoying nature, experiencing God. Every so often production at Days will go dark for a couple of weeks and I feel relived. I feel free. I'm like, "Wow, there's a whole other world out there!" Acting now feels like a chore and I need a break — maybe for a good long time, maybe forever.

Just how is Jones being ushered off? She gives the skinny to Logan and them some.

TV Guide Magazine: She recently started having mysterious headaches. Cue the organ music! Are they giving her a brain tumor?

Jones: Inoperable! When I broke it to [the Days execs] about my decision to leave it was very harmonious. I said, "Guys, it's been amazing and I appreciate all that Days has done for me, but I am ready to go." They were very understanding and really wanted to honor my character with a great exit story and asked if I would be opposed to having her die. I said, "Not at all. But I don't want to be in a coffin." And I had one other stipulation. I didn't want a horrible cancer death. I was worried about my mother because my sister died of cancer a few years ago and my mom watches the show religiously and I didn't want her to have to watch that. So they came up with the idea of a brain tumor. There will be lots of crying, lots of goodbyes but it will be very beautiful. The writers have done a fabulous job.

http://daytimeconfidential.zap2it.co...days-the-deuce

[McGillicuddy]

Sorry to see her go. I certainly respect her decision though. I'm glad she stayed around for the town square dedication, and the return of Marlena, John, Carrie, Austin, Jack, Lucas, and Billie!

Renee had left the show before, and came back. I wonder if it was her choice to take leave last time.

[-STEFFY-]

I'm glad that she reunited with Abe before this tumor story really takes shape. I'll feel bad for Lexie's son Theo the most when she goes.

[McGillicuddy]

They've lost all their hospital staff!! Carly's gone, Nathan's gone, Daniel is not able to do surgery, Melanie seems to have given up nursing.....and now Lexie's dying!

Maybe Kayla will return to her medical practice, instead of serving coffee at The Brady Pub! In the mean time, whose going to save Bo?

[-STEFFY-]

^ Yes, Kayla needs to get back to the hospital. Her recent return seems like such a waste! And Melanie is a fool to give up nursing so she could give dumb massages at Quinn's day spa.

[80sTrivia]

Wow, quite a surprise. I wish her all the best!

[Fallon97]

Oh, no. Lexie is my favorite on the show.

[catlover79]

God bless Renee Jones - I've always liked her, and I wish her nothing but happiness as she closes this chapter of her life and moves on to the next adventure.

[Schmoopie]

I admire her for knowing when to quit and she's been at it for such a long time! Glad she's going to be able to live her life the way she wants to.

[ZeldaGilroy]

If Renee is ready to give up acting and move on with her life, then I wish her the best of luck. I don't see why they have to kill Lexie off though. They could just write her out of the show (they do that all the time.) I am sad to see this. I'll be bawling my eyes out.