Entertainment
The actress was a star on Broadway and in popular soap operas before pulling up a chair at the Reagan family dinners.
By Emily Blackwood |
If there's one constant at the Reagan family dinner table,it's change. New faces are always pulling up a chair as the generations grow older and bring new people into the "Blue Bloods" cast. This has kept things fresh over the series' impressive 14-year run, which will air its 14th and final season on February 16. Out of all the new characters and storylines introduced since season one aired back in 2010, one of the most cherished among viewers has been Eddie Janko played by Vanessa Ray.
By now, she's no longer a newbie to the show. We first met Janko in season four as the love interest of Jamie Reagan (Will Estes). The easy chemistry between the two characters culminated in a swoon-worthy romance and, eventually, marriage. When the two of them tied the knot, fans were pleased to know that they could expect to see Janko around that dinner table for many seasons to come. They could also anticipate that she would play an increasingly significant role in the series' ever-growing plot.
While "Blue Bloods" fans are certainly fond of Ray for the life she breathes into Janko, the actress has been involved in many other notable projects over the years. Scroll through to learn more about the impressive life and career of Vanessa Ray.
Broadway Fame
Ray's first steps into the world of performing arts happened not in front of a camera but on stage. While little is known about how she first got into theater, she's credited with originating the role of Nemo in "Finding Nemo: The Musical," which ran at Disney World in Orlando. Ray's theatrical resume? also includes playing Olive Ostrovsky in a national tour of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" and as Crissy in the Broadway production of "Hair."
"I got my roots starting in theater, and a multi-cam is the closest thing to live theater on TV I can think of," she said in an interview with Nerds of Color. "I miss taking a bow at the end of an epic performance!"
While she eventually went on to star on the small screen, she made a few returns to the stage. In 2022, she played Yvette in "Clue" at the Portland-based Anonymous Theatre Company.
Soap Opera Star
After spending some time in the literal spotlight, Ray started landing some guest roles in TV shows such as "Bored to Death" and "Damages." It took a few years of auditioning, but in 2006 she landed the gig that would eventually put her name on the map, playing Teri Ciccone in the popular soap opera "As the World Turns."
In a 2009 interview, she talked about the mental hurdle she had to overcome going from theater to soaps. When asked about what the major differences are between the mediums, she said: "Probably the choices you have to make, as quick as you have to make them."
"There's memorizing, then doing it, and just trusting that your instincts are right," she added. "I'm really impressed by all the actors on the show. They take it so seriously. They really force you to up your game."
Ray kept the role of Teri alive for six years and over 50 episodes before moving on to bigger and better things.
Pretty Little Liar
Mike Pont/FilmMagic
Between 2010 and 2012, Ray was everywhere. She guest-starred on some of the most popular shows at the time, including "White Collar," "Nurse Jackie," "Girls" and "Suits." But her highest-profile role — before "Blue Bloods," of course — was as CeCe Drake in the teen drama "Pretty Little Liars."
She only appeared in 19 episodes throughout her five years on the show, but her character played a pivotal role in the plot. Since the series ended, Ray has spoken publicly about how completely different the two major characters she's known for were.
"It is just so cool that I get to kind of live out these two little dream fantasies," she told StyleCaster. "One of being a super girly girl with extensions and nails and lashes and pastel clothing, things that Eddie Janko would never wear. And then I get to explore a little more vulnerable side with Eddie. I think with all of the things that are happening to her, she is constantly discovering what her job really is.
"I am just really lucky that I get to play a role as sort of silly as CeCe and as complex as Eddie. And Eddie is pretty silly, too. I feel like I should do a YouTube video of the two of them having a conversation. They would have nothing to talk about."
Is Vanessa Ray Still On Blue Bloods?
Fans of both Eddie Janko and Vanessa Ray will be happy to hear that her character is still alive and well on "Blue Bloods." You can catch her and the rest of the Reagan family in the 14th and final season, which premieres Friday, February 16, at 10 p.m. ET.
READ MORE:Who Is Bridget Moynahan's Husband? Meet The 'Blue Bloods' Star's Longtime Partner Andrew Frankel
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