Jennifer Horton is a fictional character from Days of Our Lives, an American soap opera on the NBC network, currently played by actress Cady McClain. Jennifer was created by scriptwriter Pat Falken Smith, and executive producer Betty Corday. Melissa Reeves played the role of Jennifer on and off for over 35 years, premiering on October 9, 1985. The role has also been portrayed by Maren Stephenson, Jennifer Peterson, Stephanie Cameron, and Marci Miller. Jennifer's storylines often focus on love and romance. The daughter of Bill and Laura Horton, she is a member of the original core family, the Hortons. Despite beginning as a rebellious teenager, she has transformed into a true soap heroine. Jennifer is known for her popular pairing with Jack Deveraux, most notably portrayed by Matthew Ashford. The pairing of Jack and Jennifer, known as "J&J" to soap fans, has become one of the soaps' most infamous supercouples. McClain's performance in the role earned her the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series in 2021. Development Background Jennifer Horton is one of the earliest characters to be invented by executive producer Betty Corday, and scriptwriter Pat Falken Smith. The character was brought on as part of the soap's core family, the Hortons. She is the daughter of established characters Bill and Laura Horton, and the mother of Abigail and JJ Deveraux Casting As Jennifer is introduced on February 9, 1976, the role was originated by child actress Maren Stephenson until August 8, 1977. For storyline purposes, the role is briefly taken over by Jennifer Peterson from December 1, 1977, to July 4, 1979, until the character was written out of the show when her mother, Laura Horton, was in a psychiatric facility, thus and would not be able to care for her. On October 9, 1985, the character was re-introduced with Santa Barbara actress Melissa Reeves in the role. She proved to be a fan favorite and younger leading heroine. Her relationship with Jack Deveraux prompted the couple to be pronounced a supercouple for the daytime drama. Reeves stayed with the serial until she abruptly quit on December 15, 1995, at the insistence of her husband, Scott Reeves. To replace Reeves, the show brought on Stephanie Cameron as Jennifer on December 18, 1995. Cameron portrayed the character until she was written off the show on June 5, 1998. In early 2000, rumors started swirling