Rosie Perez Calls Her 'View' Departure 'Bittersweet'

The actress addressed the news that she was leaving the show.

ByABC News
July 8, 2015, 11:25 AM

— -- On today's episode of "The View," Rosie Perez addressed the news that she was stepping down as co-host.

Perez is leaving the show to focus on acting.

"I've decided that it's time to move on, and I will say that today is very bittersweet for me," Perez said at the top of the show. "I'm excited for what is to come, but I am so sad to leave 'The View.'"

Perez, 50, joined the ABC morning show last September, along with Nicolle Wallace, whom she thanked for being a witty, intelligent friend. She also tearfully expressed her gratitude to Whoopi Goldberg, calling her "the captain of the ship," as well as various ABC executives and her fans.

"Every time one of you guys come up to me and say that 'I love you on 'The View,'' it just makes my day," she said. "I really, really want to give a special thank you to the Latin community. It's a huge honor to be the first Latina on 'The View.'"

The actress, who's currently starring on Broadway in "Fish in the Dark," will continue to act, as well as pursue her activism work. She also said she hopes to appear on the show again.

"It's just time to go," she explained. "[But] It's just been great. It's been great."