Rosie Perez leaving ‘The View’ to concentrate on acting

By Bill Keveney | Gannett News Service

Rosie Perez is departing “The View” to focus on acting full-time.

Executive producer Bill Wolff sent a note to the ABC daytime talk show’s staff announcing Perez’s impending departure. The actress, who joined the long-running series as a co-host last fall, will leave later this summer when the current season ends.

She continues to co-star in Larry David’s Broadway play “Fish in the Dark.”

He wrote: “Our friend Rosie Perez has decided to leave the show at the conclusion of this season to pursue full time her love for acting. Stepping into the role of talk show host at the same time she has been starring on Broadway has been incredibly impressive. And beyond being an enormously talented performer, Rosie is a dedicated advocate who has brought passion and insight to the panel every day.”

He continued: “Rosie will always be a part of The View family, and we will welcome her back as a guest anytime to catch up. We’ll plan a proper sendoff for her in a few weeks, but in the meantime, please join me in thanking her for her great work on the show.”

Rumors circulated in February about Perez’s potential departure from the series. A different Rosie – Rosie O’Donnell – did leave “The View” in February.

The show’s other co-hosts are Whoopi Goldberg, Nicolle Wallace and Raven-Symone.