Days of our Lives Performers of the Week: Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves as Jack and Jennifer Deveraux

Since the 1980s, Jack and Jennifer have been a fan favorite duo on Days of our Lives. Now, nearly 40 years later, their portrayers, Matthew Ashford and Melissa Reeves, have aged like fine wine as their characters keep watchful eyes over their children and grandchildren. Soap Central recognizes the duo, with our Performers of the Week for Days of our Lives honors.

Days of our Lives, Performers of the Week

Jack and Jen were deeply concerned that Mark Greene (Jonah Robinson), the man who nearly shot Chad (Billy Flynn), not be let out on early parole. They were taken aback, naturally, by Chad sharing that he had not sent in a statement to the parole board, encouraging decision-makers to keep Mark behind bars.

The main reason that Ashford and Reeves have always worked so well together is that Jennifer's innate, calm sweetness grounds the manic energy Jack can exude. Even before Chad let them know he was open to Mark getting out of prison, Jennifer's focus on her son-in-law told us that she suspected he felt this way.

More importantly, she knew why -- Chad's feelings for Cat Greene (AnnaLynne McCord), the woman who played with their emotions by pretending to be Abigail.

"Look, Chad," Jack stated. "As impactful as our statements can be, yours will mean that much more...you need to go to the parole board and tell them what Mark Greene did to you in Paris. Do it for your kids, Chad. And for Abigail."

Ashford upped Jack's passion once Jack sensed that Chad was on the fence. "They set you up, Chad. They set us all up. They used our grief and love for Abigail, and they played us for suckers," Jack reminded Chad.

Abigail's parents simply weren't interested in the fact that Clyde Weston (James Read) was coercing the Greenes to play along with his scheme. Ashford's known for deftly bringing comedy to soaps in his role as Jack, but there was nothing funny about Mark Greene getting an early parole.

Then, it was Jennifer's turn to make her impact statement, reminding Chad that there was more than the attempt on his life that was the issue. "We still don't know what that monster did with Abigail's remains," Jennifer noted. "I am really trying to make peace with all this. I am trying to move forward for my family's sake. But I am telling you right now, I will never forgive Clyde Weston or the Greenes.

"I don't care that they were under duress," Jennifer continued, reminding viewers that just because Jen is kind, she's not weak — or stupid. "I don't care what Clyde put them through. Decent people would have found a way not to desecrate our daughter's memory."

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Most grandmothers immediately dart their eyes to their grandkids when they come into a room, but Thomas (Cary Christopher) and Charlotte (Olivia and Oakley Rondou) walking into the Horton living room didn't take Jen's attention away from Chad. Reeves chose to have Jennifer hold her gaze upon him to emphasize her irreversible feelings on this matter.

Once they were alone with Thomas, Jack and Jen did what savvy grandparents do -- they pumped him for information -- without making it look like they were trying to pry secrets out of him. Thomas revealed that he and his father recently had played miniature golf with Cat and her sister, Felicity (Kennedy Garcia).

Jen expressed her disdain for Cat to Jack once Thomas left the room. "Jack, those beautiful babies are all that we have left of our daughter," Jennifer strongly declared. "I am telling you right now, I will not let anybody hurt them. I don't care what I have to do. We need to be here in Salem to keep an eye on Cat Greene."

Some soaps invite veteran players back for guest spots, failing to fully utilize the rich histories of the characters they play. Days of our Lives wisely not only keeps Reeves and Ashford on our screens, but plays them as strong, relevant characters with specific motivations.

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Bravo to Ashford and Reeves for playing Jack and Jen as loving grandparents and fierce protectors of their daughter's memory.

Catch all-new episodes of Days of our Lives weekdays on Peacock.

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