Actress Jennifer Esposito fires back at CBS for putting her 'Blue Bloods' character on leave
BY RITA SHERROW World Television Editor
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
10/23/12 at 4:52 PM
Actress Jennifer Esposito, who stars as Detective Jackie Curatola, is telling a different story about why she is on leave from the cop drama "Blue Bloods."
"Jennifer has informed us that she is only available to work on a very limited part-time schedule,” according to a recent statement from CBS TV Studios.
"As a result, she'’s unable to perform the demands of her role and we regretfully had to put her character on a leave of absence," reported deadline.com.
The release gave no indication of why the actress needed or wanted to reduce her workload.
Esposito, who plays Detective Jackie Curatola on the series, tweeted her own statement.
"CBS didn't listen to my doc and I collapsed on set. Which everyone saw! After a week off my doc said I could return to work but CBS ... (i)mplied that I was NOT truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise! It's been almost two months without (bringing) me back to work + keeping (m)e from working anywhere else! ... Absolutely shameful behavior."
Celiac is an autoimmune disease which affects the small intestine and caused by reaction to wheat proteins. Symptoms can include fatigue and those diagnosed with it often change to a gluten-free diet.
The actress' final episode, for the time being, airs Nov. 2. The series airs at 9 p.m. Fridays on channel 6.
The studio has said it will fill in with actresses including Megan Ketch who will be introduced in the Nov. 2 episode and has signed on for four more episodes until the situation changes, reported the website.
But it has not permanently written off the 39-year-old actress who founded the Jennifer's Way blog and website to "encourage others with celiac disease."
"She is a wonderfully talented actress and we hope that she will be able to return at some point in the future," according to the studio
Esposito is receiving support from her fans on Twitter.
"Read some comments you posted on that site. Brought tears to my eyesTruly. A very sad day when you can be bullied at my age with a disease,"tweeted ?@JennifersWayJE
Here's a preview of Friday episode of "Blue Bloods."
Associated Images:
Jennifer Esposito stars as Detective Jackie Curatola on "Blue Bloods" airing Fridays on CBS.
JOHN PAUL FILO/CBS
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