Jen Lilley
{{Short description|American actress and singer (born 1984)}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=August 2013}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Jen Lilley
| image = Jen Lilley (2013).jpg
| caption = Lilley in 2013
| birth_place = Roanoke, Virginia, U.S.
| birth_name = Jennifer Lilley
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|08|04}}
| website =
| occupation = Actress, singer
| years_active = 2007–present
| spouse = {{Marriage|Jason Wayne|2007}}
| children = 4
| alma_mater = University of Virginia
}}
Jennifer Lilley (born August 4, 1984{{cite web |first=Mike|last=Allen |url=http://www.roanoke.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts/arts-extras-roanoke-county-raised-actress-jen-lilley-reveals-her/article_a333efc4-0cff-11e4-ae64-001a4bcf6878.html |title=Arts & Extras: Roanoke County-raised actress Jen Lilley reveals her age for charitable causes |work=The Roanoke Times |date=July 18, 2014 |access-date=January 7, 2018}}{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/photos/birthday-spotlight-jen-lilley-ex-theresa-days/|title=Birthday Spotlight: Jen Lilley (ex-Theresa, DAYS)|work=Soap Opera Digest|date=August 4, 2017|access-date=January 7, 2018}}{{cite web |first=Jen|last=Lilley |url=https://www.instagram.com/p/B0oX15fFCvS/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B0oX15fFCvS |archive-date=December 24, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=She's here!! LINK TO FULL STORY IN BIO. Thank you @ people for being so supportive and lovely the entire journey!|work=Instagram |date=November 23, 2019|access-date=August 1, 2019}}{{cbignore}}) is an American actress and singer. Lilley played a supporting role in the 2011 film The Artist, temporarily portrayed Maxie Jones on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from September 2011 to August 2012, and has played the character of Theresa Donovan on NBC's soap opera Days of Our Lives from July 2013 to November 2016 and again from May to July 2018. She has also starred in several television films from Hallmark Channel and Great American Family Channel.{{cite web|author=|url=https://www.tvinsider.com/723960/jen-lilley-interview-days-of-our-lives-hallmark-king-of-hearts/|title=Jen Lilley on Making Music That Gives, 'Days of Our Lives' & Her New Hallmark Holiday Movie|work=TV Insider|date=October 18, 2018|access-date=November 18, 2018}}
In March 2024, Lilley was awarded the Childhelp Inspirational Award along with Ale Boggiano for their work with Christmas Is Not Cancelled. {{Cite web |title=Fundraising Powered by OneCause, creator of BidPal |url=https://one.bidpal.net/childhelpocfashionshow2024/welcome |access-date=2024-03-12 |website=one.bidpal.net |language=en}}
In 2025, Lilley and Billy Hallowell launched the podcast Into the Supernatural. {{Cite web |title=Into the Supernatural With Jen Lilley & Billy Hallowell |url=https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/into-the-supernatural-with-jen-lilley-billy-hallowell/id1590506368 |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Apple Podcasts |language=en-GB}}
Early life
Lilley was born in Roanoke, Virginia to Ellen and Vincent Lilley. She is the second oldest of four children. She has two brothers, Michael and Ryan, and one sister, Katherine."ACT TWO". Soap Opera Digest. August 12, 2013. p. 39. Lilley graduated from Cave Spring High School."Free Lilley." Soap Opera Digest. May 8, 2012. p. 55. She went on to attend the University of Virginia and graduated early with magna cum laude honors.{{cite web|url=http://all-that-and.blogspot.com/2013/10/slicing-pie-with-jen-lilley-interview.html|title=Slicing: Pie with Jen Lilley - Interview|website=|last=Durrell|first=Angela |date=August 26, 2015|access-date=October 4, 2013}}{{better source needed|reason=Blogs are WP:NOTRS.|date=November 2019}}
Career
=Acting=
In 2011, Lilley had a supporting role in director Michel Hazanavicius's silent movie The Artist, which won five Academy Awards including Best Picture. She also appeared as Monie in the iCarly TV movie, "iParty with Victorious".{{cite news|last=Norris |first=Jane |title=UVa graduate gains notice in Hollywood |url=http://www2.dailyprogress.com/entertainment/2011/may/27/uva-graduate-gains-notice-hollywood-ar-1066659/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130120070130/http://www2.dailyprogress.com/entertainment/2011/may/27/uva-graduate-gains-notice-hollywood-ar-1066659/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 20, 2013 |access-date=May 28, 2011 |newspaper=The Daily Progress |date=May 27, 2011 }}
In autumn of 2011, Lilley took over the role of Maxie Jones, as a temporary recast for Kirsten Storms on General Hospital while she was on medical leave for endometriosis. She made her on-screen debut on September 28, 2011.{{cite web |url=http://soapcentral.com/gh/news/2011/0914-storms_lilley.php |title=Illness sidelines Kirsten Storms, forces Maxie recast |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |work=Soapcentral |access-date=October 18, 2011 |date=September 14, 2011}} In August 2012, Lilley confirmed that she had finished taping and made her on-screen exit on August 20, 2012;{{cite web |url=http://soapcentral.com/gh/news/2012/0722-storms_lilley.php |title=Emotional Jen Lilley thanks fans for support |last=Kroll |first=Dan J. |work=Soapcentral |access-date=July 22, 2012 |date=July 22, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://tvline.com/2012/07/23/general-hospital-kirsten-storms-return/ |title=General Hospital Casting News: Kirsten Storms to Return! Jen Lilley Out! |last=Roots |first=Kimberly |work=TVLine |access-date=July 23, 2012 |date=July 23, 2012}}{{cite web |url=http://abc.soapsindepth.com/2012/07/storms-is-back-as-maxie.html |title=Storms Is Back As Maxie |last=Simms |first=Richard M. |work=ABC Soaps In Depth |access-date=July 23, 2012 |date=July 23, 2012 |archive-date=July 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120726183609/http://abc.soapsindepth.com/2012/07/storms-is-back-as-maxie.html |url-status=dead }} Storms later returned on September 5.{{cite web |url=http://soapoperadigest.com/content/kirsten-storms-back-work-gh |title=Kirsten Storms Back To Work At GH |last= |first= |work=Soap Opera Digest |access-date=August 21, 2012 |date=August 21, 2012}}
In April 2013, Lilley joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as a newly created character.{{cite web |url=http://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-jen-lilley-joins-days |title=EXCLUSIVE! Jen Lilley joins DAYS |last= |first= |work=Soap Opera Digest |access-date= April 6, 2013 |date=April 6, 2013}} She made her on-screen debut as Theresa Donovan on July 3, 2013.{{cite journal |year=2013 |title=Comings and Goings |journal=Soap Opera Digest |issue=July 9, 2013}} Lilley was a principal cast member when Days of Our Lives won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. {{Cite web |title=Daytime Emmys: Complete Winners List |url=https://ew.com/emmys/2013/06/16/daytime-emmys-complete-winners-list/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=EW.com |language=en}} In June 2016, she confirmed she was exiting the soap due to the demanding filming schedule hindering her ability to pursue other commitments and opportunities.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/days-of-our-lives-jen-lilley-exiting-theresa-donovan-1201767949/|title=Days Of Our Lives Star Jen Lilley Exiting After 3 Years|author=Pederson, Erik|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=June 6, 2016|access-date=July 3, 2016}}{{cite web |url=https://www.roanoke.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts/arts-extras-life-after-days-of-our-lives/article_4e62cf6d-7188-5942-b4e5-9ec0c7e55ec1.html|title=Arts & Extras: Life after 'Days of Our Lives' |last=Allen |first=Mike |date=December 6, 2016 |website=The Roanoke Times |access-date=November 18, 2018 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170617111934/https://www.roanoke.com/arts_and_entertainment/arts/arts-extras-life-after-days-of-our-lives/article_4e62cf6d-7188-5942-b4e5-9ec0c7e55ec1.html |archive-date=June 17, 2017}} Lilley reprised her portrayal as Theresa in May–July 2018.{{cite news|author=SOD|authorlink=Soap Opera Digest|title=Exclusive! Jen Lilley Back To DAYS!|url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-jen-lilley-back-days/|access-date=November 17, 2017|work=Soap Opera Digest|date=November 17, 2017|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20171117172441/https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/exclusive-jen-lilley-back-days/|archivedate=November 17, 2017}}
In November 2016, Lilley appeared in a film for the Hallmark Channel titled A Dash of Love.{{cite web|last=Cushman|first=Dustin|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/49241/days-jen-lilley-unveils-photos-from-hallmarks-a-dash-of-love/|title=Days' Jen Lilley unveils photos from Hallmark's 'A Dash of Love'|work=Soap Central|date=February 1, 2017}} In June 2018, she played Charlotte in the Hallmark Channel film Yes, I Do,{{cite magazine |url=https://parade.com/682174/rielyhaven/first-look-and-exclusive-interview-with-yes-i-dos-jen-lilley/|title=First Look and Exclusive Interview with Yes, I Do's Jen Lilley |last=Haven |first=Riley |date=June 28, 2018 |magazine=Parade |access-date=March 8, 2023}} followed later that same year by playing Molly in the Hallmark Channel holiday film Mingle All the Way.{{cite web |first=Kambra|last=Clifford |url=https://www.soapcentral.com/days-of-our-lives/news/2018/0911-jen_lilley_brent_daughtry_christmas_film.php |title=DAYS' Jen Lilley and Brant Daugherty team up for holiday film |work=Soapcentral |date=September 10, 2018 |access-date=March 8, 2023}} In 2022, Lilley ended her association with Hallmark Channel, and signed a four-film deal with GAC Media, the owners of Great American Family channel.{{cite web|first=Denise|last=Petski|date=January 10, 2022|url=https://deadline.com/2022/01/jen-lilley-multi-picture-overall-deal-gac-media-1234906605/|title=Jen Lilley Inks Multi-Picture Overall Deal With GAC Media, Will Star In Four Movies|work=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=March 8, 2023}}
=Singing=
In the summer of 2014, Lilley traveled to Georgia, where she hosted and sang in a benefit concert with SOWEGA Art Performance to raise funds for ONEless Ministries,{{cite web|title=Actress in town for anti-human trafficking awareness|url=http://www.wfxl.com/news/story.aspx?id=1063551#.VBLH6C5dVH8|access-date=28 June 2014|archive-date=September 12, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140912161209/http://www.wfxl.com/news/story.aspx?id=1063551#.VBLH6C5dVH8|url-status=dead}} and in December of the same year, sang at the 3rd Annual Westchester All Stars Christmas for Wounded Veterans Concert in New York.{{cite web|url=https://soaps.sheknows.com/days-of-our-lives/news/40033/days-jen-lilley-at-westchester-all-stars-christmas/|title=Days' Jen Lilley At Westchester All Stars Christmas Concert|website=Soaps.sheknows.com|date=September 3, 2014|access-date=March 8, 2023}}
On November 24, 2015, Lilley released her first Christmas album, "Tinsel Time". The album's title track premiered on TV Guide{{'}}s TV Insider.{{cite web|last=Logan|first=Michael|url=http://www.tvinsider.com/article/54586/jen-lilley-christmas-album-days-of-our-lives/|title=First Listen: Days of Our Lives Star Jen Lilley Gets Into the Holiday Spirit With New Christmas Album|work=TV Insider|date=November 18, 2015}} On October 5, 2018, Lilley debuted her studio single, "King of Hearts" from her forthcoming album, Lilley.{{cite web |first=Kamille|last=Rose |url=http://hers-magazine.com/jen-lilley-king-of-hearts/ |title=Jen Lilley's Move to Music Pays Off |work=Hers Magazine |date=November 14, 2018 |access-date=November 18, 2018}}
Personal life
On May 26, 2007, Lilley married Jason Wayne.{{cite journal|title=Wed Alert|date=May 19, 2014|journal=Soap Opera Digest|publisher=American Media, Inc.|page=40|volume=39|issue=20}} In 2016, Lilley and her husband became foster parents through the organization, Childhelp.{{cite web |url=https://www.upstateparent.com/story/entertainment/people/2017/05/09/one-one-actress-jen-lilley/101441092/|title=One on one with actress and foster mom Jen Lilley |date=May 9, 2017 |last=Campell |first=Angie |website=Upstate Parent |access-date=November 18, 2018}}{{cite web |url=https://www.cbs.soapsindepth.com/posts/days-of-our-lives-jen-lilley-foster-adoption-miscarriage-168048|title=Jen Lilley Reveals How Fostering, Adoption, and Her Miscarriage Have Changed Her Life |date=17 October 2018 |last=Eades |first=Chris |website=CBS Soaps in Depth |access-date=18 November 2018}} In June 2019, Lilley and Wayne adopted their two foster sons and in July 2019, she gave birth to a daughter.{{cite web |last1=Harmata |first1=Claudia |last2=Leon |first2=Anya |title=Jen Lilley Pregnant with Baby Girl After Fostering to Adopt Two Sons – Why She's 'Relieved' |url=https://people.com/parents/hallmark-channel-jen-lilley-pregnant-expecting-daughter-exclusive/ |website=People |access-date=March 20, 2019 |location=United States |language=en |date=March 20, 2019 }}{{cite web |last1=Juneau |first1=Jen |last2=Warner |first2=Kara |title=She's Here! Jen Lilley and Husband Jason Wayne Welcome Daughter Julie Evangeline |url=https://people.com/parents/jen-lilley-welcomes-daughter-julie-evangeline-first-photos-exclusive/ |website=People |access-date=August 1, 2019 |location=United States |language=en |date=August 1, 2019 }} In May 2022, Lilley gave birth to the couple's fourth child, another daughter.{{cite web |last1=Slater |first1=Georgia |last2=Patterson |first2=Charmaine |title=Jen Lilley Welcomes Baby Girl with Husband Jason Wayne After a Surprising and Dramatic Arrival |url=https://people.com/parents/jen-lilley-welcomes-baby-with-husband-jason-wayne-daughter-jackie-grace/ |website=People |publisher=Meredith Corporation |access-date=May 14, 2022 |location=United States |language=en |date=May 13, 2022}}{{cite web |author=SOD |author-link=Soap Opera Digest |title=DAYS Alum Welcomes a Second Daughter |url=https://www.soapoperadigest.com/content/days-alum-welcomes-a-second-daughter/ |website=Soap Opera Digest |publisher=American Media, Inc. |access-date=May 14, 2022 |location=United States |date=May 14, 2022}}
Filmography
=Film=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2008
| Switchboard Operator | |
| rowspan="2"| 2009
| Robinson Crusoe: The Great Blitzkrieg | Robinson's Computer | Video |
| data-sort-value="Step Toward Heaven, A" | A Step Toward Heaven
| Wife | Short |
| 2009
| Flicker | Lydia | Short |
| 2010
| Fiddler in the Darkness | Lisa Coryelle | Short |
| rowspan="5"| 2011
| Head Over Spurs in Love | Daisy Spur | |
| Obsolescence
| Obsolescence | Short |
| data-sort-value="Artist, The" | The Artist
| On-looker | |
| data-sort-value="Sticky Chocolate Kingdom, The" | The Sticky Chocolate Kingdom
| Audrey | Short |
| iParty with Victorious
| Monie | TV movie |
| rowspan="2"| 2012
| Love Refreshed | Angel | Short |
| data-sort-value="Olivia Experiment, The" | The Olivia Experiment
| Felicia | |
| rowspan="5"| 2013
| Isolated | Ambassador for Peace | |
| One Small Hitch
| Larissa | |
| Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End
| Rachel McManus | |
| data-sort-value="Book of Esther, The" | The Book of Esther
| Esther | |
| Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire
| Rachel McManus | |
| 2014
| Turn Around Jake | Jessica Henry | |
| 2015
| data-sort-value="Spirit of Christmas, The" | The Spirit of Christmas | Kate Jordan | TV movie |
| rowspan="2"| 2016
| Where Are You, Bobby Browning? | Patsy | |
| Crossing Streets
| Cate Anderson | |
| rowspan="4"| 2017
| Mommy, I Didn't Do It | Kimberly Bains | TV movie |
| data-sort-value="Dash of Love, A" | A Dash of Love
| Nikki Turner | TV movie |
| Eat, Play, Love
| Dr. Carly Monroe | TV movie |
| Harvest Love
| Luna Gilson | TV movie |
| rowspan="6"| 2018
| Snatched | Aubrey Lewis | TV movie |
| Off the Menu
| Lauren | |
| data-sort-value="Wedding Do Over, The" | The Wedding Do Over
| Sandy Brantwell | TV movie |
| Twin Betrayal
| Jessica & Alessandra | TV movie |
| Yes, I Do
| Charlotte | TV movie |
| Mingle All The Way
| Molly Hoffman | TV movie |
| rowspan="5"| 2019
| Winter Love Story | Cassie | TV movie |
| Paris, Wine & Romance
| Isabella Ricci | TV movie |
| Love Unleashed
| Hailey Goode | TV movie |
| Love on Repeat
| Amber | TV movie |
| Angel Falls: A Novel Holiday
| Hannah Pressman | TV movie |
| 2020
| USS Christmas | Maddie Contino | TV movie |
| rowspan="3"| 2021
| Snowkissed | Kate Daniels | TV movie |
| data-sort-value="Little Daytime Drama, A" | A Little Daytime Drama
| Maggie Coleman | TV movie |
| Royally Wrapped for Christmas
| Lindsay Peterson | TV movie |
| rowspan="2"| 2022
| Where Your Heart Belongs | Mackenzie Sullivan | TV movie |
| B&B Merry
| Tracey Wise | TV movie |
| 2023
| Paris Christmas Waltz | Emma Harris | TV movie |
| 2024
| Operation Mistletoe | Grace | TV movie |
=Television=
| class="wikitable sortable" |
| Year
! Title ! Role ! Notes |
|---|
| 2007
| Swimsuit Model | Episode: "That's What Friends are For" |
| rowspan="2"| 2008
| Bridesmaid #4 | Episode: "Rough Night in Hump Junction" |
| Ingles Ya!
| Sirena/Mandy | Main Cast |
| 2009
| Megan Chertow | Episode: "The Eyes Have It" |
| 2010
| Castle | Julia Foster | Episode: "Punked" |
| rowspan="3"| 2011
| Barista | Episode: "The Power Couple" |
| Disaster Date
| Herself | Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| PrankStars
| Herself | Episode: "Something to Chew On" |
| 2011–12
| Regular Cast |
| rowspan="2"| 2013
| data-sort-value="Crazy Ones, The" | The Crazy Ones | Claire | Episode: "Bad Dad" |
| data-sort-value="Dark Knight Retires, The" | The Dark Knight Retires
| Carly | Recurring Cast |
| 2013–23
| Regular Cast |
| 2014
| Dating in LA and Other Urban Myths | Chloe | Main Cast |
| 2014–15
| Natalie Cardin | Main Cast: Season 3, Recurring Cast: Season 4 |
| rowspan="2"| 2016
| Kara | Episode: "I Ain’t No Miracle Worker" |
| data-sort-value="Encounter, The" | The Encounter
| Nora Huber | Episode: "Just Believe" |
| 2023
| Jodie Dunner | Episode: "It Is What It Is, Until It Isn't" |
Awards and nominations
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders" |
| scope="col" | Year
! scope="col" | Association ! scope="col" | Category ! scope="col" | Work ! scope="col" | Result ! scope="col" | {{abbr|Ref.|References}} |
|---|
| align="center"|2014
| Best Lead Actress – Drama |Youthful Daze | {{nom}} |
| 2024
|Movieguide Awards |Epiphany Prize |Paris Christmas Waltz |Nominated |
| 2024
|Movieguide Awards |Best Television Episode for Families |Paris Christmas Waltz |Won |
| 2025
|Movieguide Awards |Best Television Episode for Families |A Little Women’s Christmas |Won |
= Humanitarian & Advocacy Awards =
- 2024: Childhelp Inspirational Award - For her work with Christmas Is Not Cancelled and national child advocacy {{Cite web |date=2024-03-22 |title=Childhelp’s 38th Annual “For the Love of a Child” 032224 |url=https://stunewsnewport.com/childhelps-38th-annual-for-the-love-of-a-child-032224/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Stu News Newport |language=en-US}}
- 2024: Childhelp For the Love of a Child Award - Presented in recognition of extraordinary compassion and impact in the lives of at-risk youth
- 2023: Barbara Harrison Award Presented by: Comfort Cases - For improving the lives of children in foster care
- 2023: Community Achievement Award Presented by: Junior League of Los Angeles - For philanthropic work supporting foster youth and her initiative Christmas Is Not Canceled {{Cite web |title=JLLA Recognizes Actress and Philanthropist Jen Lilley with the Community Achievement Award – www.jlla.org |url=https://www.jlla.org/jlla-recognizes-actress-and-philanthropist-jen-lilley-with-the-community-achievement-award/ |access-date=2025-04-15 |language=en-US}}
- 2022: Toys for Tots Recognition - Honored for her outstanding charity work serving children and families in need
- 2020: Childhelp Children's Friend Award - Recognizing her commitment to children in foster care and abuse prevention {{Cite web |last=Wylder |first=Greery |title=Greers OC {{!}} The latest in Orange County fashion, dining, and trends. |url=https://greersoc.com/index.php/goc/post-single/childhelps_34th_anniversary_fashion_show_and_luncheon |access-date=2025-04-15 |website=Greer's OC |language=en}}
- 2019: Happy Trails Super Star Award - Recognizing her ongoing efforts in foster care and child advocacy
- 2018: Childhelp Sweetheart Award - Honoring her early dedication to child welfare and loving advocacy
- 2001: National Educators Award – Guatemala - For performing concerts for underprivileged Guatemalan youth
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{commons category}}
- {{IMDb name|2373595}}
- Jen Lilley on [https://web.archive.org/web/20100330202223/http://www.mtv.com/shows/disaster_date/cast.jhtml Disaster Date]
{{authority control}}
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Category:Actresses from Virginia
Category:American film actresses
Category:American soap opera actresses
Category:American television actresses
Category:People from Roanoke, Virginia