Jen Lilley

Jennifer Lilley (born August 4, 1984 ) 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.

In March 2024, Lilley was awarded the Childhelp Inspirational Award along with Ale Boggiano for their work with Christmas Is Not Cancelled.

In 2025, Lilley and Billy Hallowell launched the podcast Into the Supernatural.

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. Lilley graduated from Cave Spring High School. She went on to attend the University of Virginia and graduated early with magna cum laude honors.

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.

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. In August 2012, Lilley confirmed that she had finished taping and made her on-screen exit on August 20, 2012; Storms later returned on September 5.

In April 2013, Lilley joined the cast of Days of Our Lives as a newly created character. She made her on-screen debut as Theresa Donovan on July 3, 2013. Lilley was a principal cast member when Days of Our Lives won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Drama Series. 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. Lilley reprised her portrayal as Theresa in May–July 2018.

In November 2016, Lilley appeared in a film for the Hallmark Channel titled A Dash of Love. In June 2018, she played Charlotte in the Hallmark Channel film Yes, I Do, followed later that same year by playing Molly in the Hallmark Channel holiday film Mingle All the Way. 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.

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, and in December of the same year, sang at the 3rd Annual Westchester All Stars Christmas for Wounded Veterans Concert in New York.

On November 24, 2015, Lilley released her first Christmas album, "Tinsel Time". The album's title track premiered on TV Guides TV Insider. On October 5, 2018, Lilley debuted her studio single, "King of Hearts" from her forthcoming album, Lilley.

Personal life On May 26, 2007, Lilley married Jason Wayne. In 2016, Lilley and her husband became foster parents through the organization, Childhelp. In June 2019, Lilley and Wayne adopted their two foster sons and in July 2019, she gave birth to a daughter. In May 2022, Lilley gave birth to the couple's fourth child, another daughter.

Filmography

Film Year Title Role Notes 2008 Changeling Switchboard Operator 2009 Robinson Crusoe: The Great Blitzkrieg Robinson's Computer Video A Step Toward Heaven Wife Short 2009 Flicker Lydia Short 2010 Fiddler in the Darkness Lisa Coryelle Short 2011 Head Over Spurs in Love Daisy Spur Obsolescence Obsolescence Short The Artist On-looker The Sticky Chocolate Kingdom Audrey Short iParty with Victorious Monie TV movie 2012 Love Refreshed Angel Short The Olivia Experiment Felicia 2013 Isolated Ambassador for Peace One Small Hitch Larissa Revelation Road: The Beginning of the End Rachel McManus The Book of Esther Esther Revelation Road 2: The Sea of Glass and Fire Rachel McManus 2014 Turn Around Jake Jessica Henry 2015 The Spirit of Christmas Kate Jordan TV movie 2016 Where Are You, Bobby Browning? Patsy Crossing Streets Cate Anderson 2017 Mommy, I Didn't Do It Kimberly Bains TV movie A Dash of Love Nikki Turner TV movie Eat, Play, Love Dr. Carly Monroe TV movie Harvest Love Luna Gilson TV movie 2018 Snatched Aubrey Lewis TV movie Off the Menu Lauren 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 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 2021 Snowkissed Kate Daniels TV movie A Little Daytime Drama Maggie Coleman TV movie Royally Wrapped for Christmas Lindsay Peterson TV movie 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 2026 A Royal Setting Ruby TV movie

Television Year Title Role Notes 2007 Hannah Montana Swimsuit Model Episode: "That's What Friends are For" 2008 Two and a Half Men Bridesmaid #4 Episode: "Rough Night in Hump Junction" Ingles Ya! Sirena/Mandy Main Cast 2009 Criminal Minds Megan Chertow Episode: "The Eyes Have It" 2010 Castle Julia Foster Episode: "Punked" 2011 Rules of Engagement Barista Episode: "The Power Couple" Disaster Date Herself Recurring Cast: Season 4 PrankStars Herself Episode: "Something to Chew On" 2011–12 General Hospital Maxie Jones Regular Cast 2013 The Crazy Ones Claire Episode: "Bad Dad" The Dark Knight Retires Carly Recurring Cast 2013–23 Days of Our Lives Theresa Donovan Regular Cast 2014 Dating in LA and Other Urban Myths Chloe Main Cast 2014–15 Youthful Daze Natalie Cardin Main Cast: Season 3, Recurring Cast: Season 4 2016 Grey's Anatomy Kara Episode: "I Ain’t No Miracle Worker" The Encounter Nora Huber Episode: "Just Believe" 2023 Chicago Med Jodie Dunner Episode: "It Is What It Is, Until It Isn't"

Awards and nominations

Humanitarian & Advocacy Awards

2024: Childhelp Inspirational Award - For her work with Christmas Is Not Cancelled and national child advocacy 2024: Childhelp For the Love of a Child Award - Presented in recognition of extraordinary compassion and impact in the lives of at-risk youth 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 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