Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (2024)

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

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

You Might Also Like

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (3)

TV

All 13 Seasons of 'Blue Bloods,' Ranked From Worst to Best

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (4)

Entertainment

'Blue Bloods': Meet The Cast Of The Hit CBS Crime Drama

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (5)

TV

'Blue Bloods' Season 14: Cast, Plot, Release Date + Everything We Know About the Final Season

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (6)

Entertainment

Why Did Linda Leave 'Blue Bloods'? Everything We Know About Amy Carlson's Untimely Exit

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray (2024)

FAQs

Who Plays Eddie on 'Blue Bloods'? Here's Where You've Seen Vanessa Ray? ›

Eddie Janko-Reagan, played by Vanessa Ray, becomes a key member of the Reagan family through her romance with Jamie. Vanessa Ray's portrayal of Eddie in Blue Bloods is praised for bringing depth and connection to the character. Her past roles are also notable.

Is there a different actress playing Eddie on Blue Bloods? ›

Vanessa Ray is an American actress and singer best known for her role on Pretty Little Liars as Charlotte DiLaurentis which she had a recurring role from 2013-2017. She's also well known for playing Police officer Edit "Eddie" Janko in the CBS Blue Bloods crime drama series since 2013.

Did the actress who plays Eddie on Blue Bloods have a baby? ›

Blue Bloods star Vanessa Ray and her husband Landon Beard are now the proud parents of a baby boy. The 42-year-old actress, who plays Eddie Reagan, revealed that she and her husband welcomed their son via adoption in November 2023.

What is Eddie's real name in Blue Bloods? ›

Eddie Janko-Reagan. Jamie's partner and eventual wife, Officer Edit Marie "Eddie" Janko Reagan (first name pronounced "eh-DEET") is of mixed Hungarian and Serbian descent. Feisty and strongly opinionated, she is very passionate when it comes to her job. She is portrayed by Vanessa Ray.

How much does Eddie make on Blue Bloods? ›

Selleck is reportedly paid $200,000 per episode of Blue Bloods, but took a pay cut for the final season. He's likely now making $150,000 per episode.

Is Eddie from Blue Bloods married in real life? ›

Blue Bloods star Vanessa Ray, who plays Officer Eddie Janko, and real-life husband Landon Beard have adopted a baby boy—and it was working on the police drama that influenced her decision to start a family by adding son Isaac Ray Beard, who was born on Nov.

Why did Eddie partner leave Blue Bloods? ›

When she was rehired in New York City, she served at the 29th Precinct. Edit Reagan was her partner until 2021. In 2021, Witten decided to resign from the NYPD due to the stress she experienced from her occupation as a police officer.

Who on Blue Bloods is actually Catholic? ›

It's one of the top-rated shows on CBS and all of television. And the key to its success is Wade, a baptized, practicing Catholic, born in Chappaqua, N.Y., who joined the show mid-way into its first season.

How did Maria Baez on Blue Bloods get a baby? ›

At one point, she thought she and Jimmy Mosley could possibly be together again. However, she discovered he was seeing another officer at the same time. In 2022, Baez adopted a newborn baby girl, Elena Baez, whose biological mother Elena Marquez was murdered by a bomb planted on the orders of Arturo Muñoz.

Was Baker pregnant on Blue Bloods? ›

Baker has at least two children with her husband, Brian Baker, as she was pregnant in Mother's Day, and the latter half of season seven.

Why is Blue Bloods really ending? ›

Budget Negotiations and Financial Strains

According to a report by Sportskeeda, the decision to end Blue Bloods took shape against a backdrop of financial negotiations.

Why did Jack Reagan leave Blue Bloods? ›

He Studied Neuroscience & Is Now In Med School

The in-show reason Jack Reagan stopped appearing in Blue Bloods is that the character went off to college in season 9, episode 5, "Thicker Than Water".

Why did they change the actress who plays Nicky on Blue Bloods? ›

The Real Reason for Sami Gayle's Departure

Balancing her academic pursuits and acting commitments in "Blue Bloods" was a challenging task for Gayle.

Who is the highest paid actor on Blue Bloods? ›

According to celebritynetworth.com, Tom is the highest-paid member of the Blue Bloods cast as its most prestigious (and also an executive producer), earning a cool $200,000 per episode.

Is the Reagan house on Blue Bloods a real house? ›

The interior scenes — including the show's iconic family dinners — are shot on a set. However, the exterior of the home is a real-life house located in the Bay Ridge neighborhood of the New York borough of Brooklyn.

What nationality is Selleck? ›

Thomas William Selleck (/ˈsɛlɪk/; born January 29, 1945) is an American actor. His breakout role was playing private investigator Thomas Magnum in the television series Magnum, P.I.

What happened to Jamie and Eddie on Blue Bloods? ›

Despite agreeing to keep things professional, there remained lingering romantic tension between the two. In 2018, Jamie and Eddie get engaged along with choosing to remain as partners on the job after discovering there is no official rule against it.

Is the actress on Suits also on Blue Bloods? ›

She is known for her role on Pretty Little Liars as Charlotte Drake; and also for her roles as Jenny on the legal drama series Suits, Teri Ciccone on the soap opera As the World Turns, Officer Eddie Janko-Reagan on long-running family-police drama Blue Bloods, and Maggie "Rocker" Sheldon on White Collar.

Did they change the actress who played Nikki on Blue Bloods? ›

In this episode, Marlene Lawston portrayed the character. But Sami Gayle took over the role from the fourth episode of the first season and continued to play Nicky until the present, with a total of 214 appearances.

Has Eddie Cahill been on Blue Bloods? ›

Blue Bloods (TV Series 2010–2024) - Eddie Cahill as Chief Paul Gallagher - IMDb.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Barbera Armstrong

Last Updated:

Views: 5343

Rating: 4.9 / 5 (59 voted)

Reviews: 90% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Barbera Armstrong

Birthday: 1992-09-12

Address: Suite 993 99852 Daugherty Causeway, Ritchiehaven, VT 49630

Phone: +5026838435397

Job: National Engineer

Hobby: Listening to music, Board games, Photography, Ice skating, LARPing, Kite flying, Rugby

Introduction: My name is Barbera Armstrong, I am a lovely, delightful, cooperative, funny, enchanting, vivacious, tender person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.