Melissa Claire Egan (Annie Lavery) will exit All My Children next month. The Emmy-nominated actress has opted not to renew her contract with the show.
"After four-and-a-half incredible years as a member of the All My Children cast, I have made the extremely difficult decision to leave the Pine Valley family that I have come to love and respect so much," Egan posted on her official web site.
"I have had the privilege and honor of working with the most talented and fun cast, crew, producers and directors imaginable. I have learned so much from them and am forever indebted," Egan added. "To wake up each morning and love going to work is a true blessing for which I am unbelievably grateful!"
Egan joined the cast of All My Children in July 2006. In 2009, Egan earned a Daytime Emmy nomination in the Outstanding Supporting Actress category.
As for her future plans, Egan did not specifically mention whether she'd pursue other daytime projects or focus on primetime and feature films. The actress said only "it is time to spread my wings and open myself up to new challenges and adventures."
"I'm as sad as all of you AMC fans are about Melissa Egan leaving the show," Stephanie Gatschet (Madison North) posted on Twitter. "But I wish her all the best in her career. She's gonna rock!"
Though a show source reported that Egan taped her final scenes on Wednesday, January 11, Egan has reportedly still been hard at work. She will last air on March 21.
