Why Did Rebecca Budig Leave All My Children

Soap fans are once again asking, “Why did Rebecca Budig leave All My Children?” Unfortunately, the answer only leads to more questions.

Meet the Cast of All My Children.

Born in Ohio in 1973, Rebecca Jo Budig made it her life's goal to become an actress. In 1993 she followed her heart and moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Not long after she landed in Hollywood, Budig was cast in Aerosmith’s music video Living on the Edge, and later scored bit parts in big budget movies.

In 1995 Budig was cast on the CBS soap opera Guiding Light as Michelle Bauer, and she remained with the series until 1998. However, it was her role as Greenlee Smythe on All My Children that catapulted Budig to fame. Budig originated the role of spoiled, rich girl-turned-makeup company executive Greenlee Smythe in August 1999. What was written as a recurring role turned into a six-year run thanks in large part to fans, who became enamored with Budig's portrayal of sassy spitfire Greenlee.

Budig's performance on the popular soap opera earned her two Daytime Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Supporting Actress. During her tenure on the show, Budig was paired with some of the show's hottest actors, including Josh Duhamel (who played Leo du Pres) and Cameron Mathison (Ryan Lavery). Budig's storylines were wildly popular with fans, most notably the Greenlee/Ryan/Kendall love triangle.

However, despite being on All My Children's front burner for years, Budig decided to exit the show--twice.

As of April 2009, Rebecca Budig has called it quits as Greenlee twice:

Budig's first departure from All My Children came in November 2005. At the time the actress cited personal reasons for her exit. In interviews she did with various soap opera publications Budig told fans that found herself "wondering what else may be out there" and had the desire to pursue other job opportunities. At the time there was speculation that Budig was interested in joining another ABC soap based on the West Coast. The new soap gig proved to be a rumor; however, Budig did make the move from New York to Los Angeles with her husband, former The Bachelor contestant Bob Guiney. While in L.A. Budig make guest appearances on a handful of primetime shows and served as host for WE's Full Frontal Fashion.

During her time away, All My Children opted to recast the role of Greenlee with relative newcomer Sabine Singh. The decision to bring in a "new" Greenlee infuriated some fans, but All My Children producers shrugged off the controversy and stood by their decision, at least for a while.

In late 2007, two years after her unexpected departure, Budig agreed to return to All My Children to reprise her role as bad girl Greenlee Smythe. Singh was abruptly fired, and in January 2008 Budig made one of the most widely publicized comebacks in soap opera history.

Unfortunately for fans, Budig's return was short-lived.

Budig returned to the airwaves as Greenlee in January 2008. However, she would not remain there for long. In October 2008 Budig announced that she would be leaving the daytime serial again in early 2009. This time the actress revealed that her departure was based on her desire to end her bicoastal commute and spend more time with her TV personality husband in Los Angeles.

In reprising her role as Greenlee, Budig reportedly signed a one-year contract, with the option to renew. However, after enduring months of flying between her home in Los Angeles and the All My Children set in New York, Budig called it quits. In interviews following her departure announcement Budig confirmed that her second exit from the long-running ABC soap had nothing to do with budget cutbacks, and everything to do with the fact that she wanted to return to California to be with her husband.

As of April 2009 the character of Greenlee Smythe has not been recast. In February 2009 fans watched as Budig's character got into a horrific motorcycle accident, which caused her untimely death. All My Children producers are remaining tight-lipped on whether Greenlee will be resurrected.

As for Rebecca Budig her final appearance on All My Children took place on March 19, 2009 during a videotaped message Greenlee left to Ryan. In the video, Greenlee tells Ryan that she wants him to be happy, whether he is with her or not.

With All My Children behind her Budig has already made the segue to primetime. In April 2009 the actress nabbed a guest-starring role on the award-winning CBS’ comedy How I Met Your Mother. Budig says she plans to remain in California to pursue other television and movie jobs.

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