Melora Hardin Biography

Melora Hardin
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Melora Hardin

Hardin at the premiere of 27 Dresses, January 2008
Born Melora Diane Hardin
June 29, 1967 (1967-06-29) (age 42)
Houston, Texas
Occupation actor, film director
Years active 1977–Present
Spouse(s) Gildart Jackson (1997–present)
Official website

Melora Diane Hardin (born June 29, 1967) is an American actress, best known for her role as Jan Levinson on NBC's The Office.

Contents

Early life

Hardin was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of acting manager/coach and retired actress Diane (née Hill) and actor Jerry Hardin.1 She is the sister of Flock CEO Shawn Hardin.2 She was raised in San Francisco, California, after her family moved there when she was 4 years old.

Acting career

Hardin started her acting career as the young star of the television series Thunder (1977-1978), and has appeared in over 70 movies and television programs since, including two 1981 Little House on the Prairie episodes (as Belinda Stevens in "The Reincarnation of Nellie," Parts 1 and 2) as well as playing Michele Pierson in the 1983 television movie Little House: Look Back to Yesterday. She starred as Baby in the short-lived 1988 television series Dirty Dancing (based on the 1987 film of the same name) and two 1992 episodes of Quantum Leap (as Abigail in "Trilogy," Parts 2 and 3). She also starred in the 1990 dancing movie Lambada. She appeared in Absolute Power (1997) as Christy Sullivan and played Ross's dirty talking love interest in episode 115 of Friends.

Hardin starred in the 2000-2001 series Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family, and since 2004 she has played the recurring role of Trudy Monk, the title character's deceased wife, on the USA Network series Monk. She also appeared on the series NCIS as former Petty Officer Erin Toner in the episode The Curse.3 In 2005 Hardin also portrayed Linda Evans in Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure, a fictionalized television movie based on the creation and behind the scenes production of the 1980s prime time soap opera Dynasty.45 Hardin has also played former corporate manager Jan Levinson on The Office since the show's debut in 2005.

Hardin later appeared in the 2006 film Thank You for Smoking, and appears in Hannah Montana: The Movie as Robby Ray's love interest. The film premiered on April 10, 2009.6

She played the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of Les Misérables in Summer 2008.7

Hardin made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago: The Musical on December 29, 2008. She stayed with the show until February 12, 2009.8

Hardin's notable and memorable four-season stint on The Office is to be followed by the upcoming Lights Out, an FX original drama following the life of a former boxer (Hoyt McCallany). Hardin has been tapped in the female-lead role, playing Patrick 'Light's Out' Leary's wife, though details of her character have not yet been specified. Because of her work on the drama, Hardin has left her status as a regular on The Office, though she's slated to special guest star throughout the season's upcoming sixth installment.citation needed

Filmography

Melora Hardin attending the premiere of her movie "YOU", Westwood, CA on May 13, 2009
Actress
Year Film Role Other notes
2009 Hannah Montana: The Movie Lorelai
17 Again Principal Jane Masterson
2008 You Miranda
The Office Jan Levinson 37 episodes, 2005-2008
Monk (TV series) Trudy Monk
Me, Mom, Dad and Her Emma
27 Dresses Maureen
2007 The Comebacks Barb Fields
The Violin Gertrude Bloch
Boxboarders! Ruth Keene
The Dukes Diane
Drive Thru Marcia Carpenter
2006 Gilmore Girls Carolyn Bates 1 episode: Partings
Without a Trace Pamela Seaver 1 episode: Rage
The Office: The Accountants Jan Levinson-Gould 1 episode: The Books Don't Balance
2005 Thank You for Smoking Interviewer
CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sports Book Manager 1 episode: Big Middle
Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure Linda Evans TV movie
2004 Boston Legal Sharon Brant 1 episode: Head Cases
El padrino Jane
The Hollywood Mom's Mystery Summer Rossner TV movie
2003 Navy NCIS: Naval Criminal Investigative Service Erin Toner 1 episode: The Curse
The Division Cheryl Lynn Brinkmeyer 1 episode: Rush to Judgment
2002 The Hot Chick Carol
Judging Amy Rosalie Leavitt 1 episode: Roses and Truth
Family Guy 1 episode: Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows
2001 Once and Again Samantha Aldrich 1 episode: Moving On
Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family Barbara Arno 25 episodes, 2000-2001
2000 Certain Guys Mary Beth
1997 Tower of Terror Claire Poulet
1986 Soul Man Whitney

References

  1. ^ "OFFICE AFFAIR". PressDisplay.com. 2007-02-22. http://www.pressdisplay.com/pressdisplay/viewer.aspx. Retrieved 2007-12-10. 
  2. ^ Yahoo hires another top media exec | Tech News on ZDNet
  3. ^ "NCIS on IMDB". http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0658027/. 
  4. ^ Heffernan, Virginia (January 1, 2005). "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure: If You've Got It, Flaunt It: ABC Trumpets an 80's Hit". The New York Times. NYTimes.com. http://tv.nytimes.com/2005/01/01/arts/television/01heff.html. Retrieved February 26, 2009. 
  5. ^ "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure: Credits". Der-denver-clan.de. http://www.der-denver-clan.de/de/dynasty_behind.207.html. Retrieved February 27, 2009. 
  6. ^ Production On Hannah Montana: The Movie Is Underway - Entertainment Tonight News Story - WJXT Jacksonville
  7. ^ Playbill News: Stokes Mitchell, McVey, O'Donnell, Michele and More Set for Les Miz at the Bowl
  8. ^ Office Star Hardin to Make Broadway Debut in Chicago

External links

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