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Melora Hardin

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Melora Hardin
Hardin in 2009
Born
Melora Diane Hardin

(1967-06-29) June 29, 1967 (age 57)
Houston, Texas, U.S.
Alma materSarah Lawrence College (BFA)
Occupation(s)Actress, singer
Years active1976–present
Spouse
​
(m. 1997)​
Children2
FatherJerry Hardin
Websitewww.melora.com

Melora Diane Hardin Jackson (born June 29, 1967[1]) is an American actress and singer best known for her roles as Jan Levinson on NBC's The Office, Trudy Monk on USA Network's Monk, and Tammy Cashman on Amazon Prime Video's Transparent, for which she received a Primetime Emmy Award nomination. She starred as magazine editor-in-chief Jacqueline Carlyle on the Freeform comedy-drama The Bold Type, which aired from June 2017 to June 2021.

Early life

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Hardin was born in Houston, Texas,[2] the daughter of acting manager, coach, and retired actress Diane (née Hill) and actor Jerry Hardin.[3] She is the sister of former Flock CEO Shawn Hardin. She moved to San Francisco, California, at age 5 and later attended middle and high school in the San Fernando Valley at Patrick Henry Junior High School and Ulysses S. Grant High School, respectively. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College.[4][5]

Career

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1976–1999

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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 episode 39 of The Love Boat in 1978, two episodes of the medical drama Quincy, M. E. (as Amanda in the 1979 episode "Never a Child" and as Abagail "Abby" Garvin in the infamous 1982 anti-punk rock episode "Next Stop, Nowhere"), 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. Hardin appeared as Whitney Dunbar, opposite C. Thomas Howell, in the 1986 film, Soul Man. 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 co-starred in the 1990 dance movie Lambada as Sandy. She appeared in Absolute Power (1997) as Christy Sullivan and played Ross's dirty-talking love interest in the season 1 Friends episode "The One with the Stoned Guy".

She was also originally cast in Back to the Future (1985) as Jennifer Parker alongside Eric Stoltz, who starred as Marty McFly. Stoltz was fired shortly after filming began and was replaced with Michael J. Fox. Hardin was deemed too tall to star alongside Fox, and she was later replaced by Claudia Wells.[6][7]

2000–present

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Hardin starred in the 2000–2001 series Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family, and she played the recurring role of Trudy Monk, the title character's deceased wife, on the USA Network series Monk (2004-2009). She appeared on the series NCIS as former Petty Officer Erin Toner in the episode "The Curse".[8] In 2005, Hardin 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 primetime soap opera Dynasty.[9][10] Hardin played Jan Levinson in The Office (2005–2013), a former corporate manager and love interest of Michael Scott.

Hardin appeared in the 2006 film Thank You for Smoking, and appears in Hannah Montana: The Movie as the love interest of Billy Ray Cyrus's character. The film premiered on April 10, 2009.[11] She played the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of Les Misérables in Summer 2008.[12] Hardin appeared in several episodes of the popular web show Elevator on YouTube.

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.[13] Also in 2009, Hardin was cast as Principal Jane Masterson in the popular comedy film 17 Again. Hardin was cast as a major character in Outlaw, playing a powerful senior partner of an elite law firm, and the main love interest to the series' protagonist, played by Jimmy Smits.[14] Hardin played the role of Isabelle Palmer's mother Nancy in An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight.

Hardin sang the U.S. national anthem at the Anaheim Ducks’ season opening hockey game on October 13, 2010,[15] and for the Phoenix Coyotes three days later.[16]

In September 2021, she was announced as one of the celebrities competing on season 30 of Dancing with the Stars.[17] She and her professional dance partner, Artem Chigvintsev, made it to the semifinals and ultimately finished in 6th place.[18]

Personal life

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Hardin has been married to actor Gildart Jackson since 1997.[19] They have two daughters.[20]

Filmography

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Film

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Year Film Role Notes
1978 Something Queer is Happening at the Library Jill Short film
1979 The North Avenue Irregulars Carmel
1985 Papa Was a Preacher Janette
1986 Iron Eagle Katie
Soul Man Whitney Dunbar
1989 Big Man on Campus Cathy
The Jeweler's Shop Monica
1990 Lambada Sandy Thomas
1991 The Rocketeer South Seas singer
1993 Reckless Kelly Robin Banks
1994 The Pornographer Sasha Leon Hoffner
1995 Chameleon Jill Hallman
1996 The Undercover Kid Clyde
1997 Absolute Power Christy Sullivan
1998 Erasable You Calamity
1999 Seven Girlfriends Laura
2000 Certain Guys Mary Beth
2002 The Hot Chick Carol
2004 El padrino Jane
2005 Thank You For Smoking Interviewer
2007 Drive Thru Marcia Carpenter
The Dukes Diane
Boxboarders! Ruth Keene
The Comebacks Barb Fields
The Violin Gertrude Bloch Short film
2008 27 Dresses Maureen
2009 17 Again Principal Jane Masterson
Hannah Montana: The Movie Lorelai
You Miranda Also director and producer
2010 Knucklehead Mary
2011 I Melt with You Jane
2012 Zombie Hamlet Pam
Beauty and the Least: The Misadventures of Ben Banks Mary Andrews
Taking the Edge Off Short film
2014 An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight Nancy Palmer Direct-to-video
2015 Self/less Judy O'Neill
2017 Anything Rita
Golden Vanity Mabel Montgomery-Mayflower
2018 Cruel Hearts Grace
2021 Caged Officer Sacks
2023 Clock Dr. Elizabeth Simmons

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
1976 Police Story Sheila Episodes: "The Jar: Parts 1 & 2"
1977 Thunder Cindy Prescott Main role (12 episodes)
The Cliffwood Avenue Kids Melora TV series
1978 The Love Boat Courtney Chenault 1 episode
1979 Quincy, M.E. Amanda Episode: "Never a Child"
1980 Diff'rent Strokes Emily Morehouse Episode: "Skin Deep or True Blue"
ABC Afterschool Special Amy Warner Episode: "What Are Friends For?"
Haywire Brooke Hayward, age 11 TV film
1980–1981 Secrets of Midland Heights Micki Carroll Regular role (10 episodes)
1981 Little House on the Prairie Belinda Stevens Episodes: "The Reincarnation of Nellie: Parts 1 & 2"
1982 Quincy, M.E. Abigail "Abby" Garvin Episode: "Next Stop, Nowhere"
1983 The Family Tree Tess Benjamin TV series
Little House: Look Back to Yesterday Michele Pierson TV movie
Magnum, P.I. Nancy Perkins Gillis Episode: "Luther Gillis: File #521"
1984 Mama Malone Kathleen Episode: "The Education of Frankie"
1985 The Best Times Joy Villafranco Regular role (6 episodes)
1986 Hotel Beth Episode: "Heroes"
1988–1989 Dirty Dancing Frances "Baby" Kellerman Main role (11 episodes)
1989 Tour of Duty Christine Pierson Episodes: "Sins of the Father", "Sealed with a Kiss"
1990 Shangri-La Plaza Amy TV film
1991 Equal Justice Doris Walsh Episode: "Who Speaks for the Children?"
1992 Miles from Nowhere Teresa TV film
Mann & Machine Louise Trotsky Episode: "Torch Song"
Quantum Leap Abigail Fuller Episodes: "For Your Love", "The Last Door"
1993 Moon Over Miami Emily Booker Episode: "My Old Flame"
1994 Murder, She Wrote Cindy Warrick Episode: "Roadkill"
Golden Gate Susan Carlino TV film
Renegade Laura McMillan Episode: "Carrick O'Quinn"
Matlock Lisa Swift Episode: "The Scandal"
Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman Molly Flynn Episode: "Operation Blackout"
1995 Friends Celia Episode: "The One with the Stoned Guy"
Touched by an Angel Lizbeth Chamberlain Episode: "The Big Bang"
Diagnosis: Murder Savannah Bellows Episode: "The New Healers"
1996 Renegade Kelly Anderson Episode: "Paradise Lost"
Caroline in the City Beth Episode: "Caroline and the Bridesmaids"
1997 Things That Go Bump Chloe Garrett TV film
Orleans Gina Vitelli Episodes: "Luther's Temptation", "When the Saints Go Marching In"
Tower of Terror Claire Poulet TV film
1997–1998 The Tom Show Lorraine Episodes: "Tom's First Date", "The Centerfold"
1998 Timecop Edith Thomas Episode: "Lost Voyage"
The Pretender Wendy Dawson Episode: "Homefront"
1999 Payne Danielle Harris Episode: "Gossip Checks In and a Cat Checks Out"
Diagnosis: Murder Melanie Cooper Episode: "Trash TV: Part 1"
2000–2001 Cover Me Barbara Arno Main role (24 episodes)
2001 Once and Again Samantha Aldrich Episode: "Moving On"
2002 Family Guy Patsy Ramsey (voice) Episode: "Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows"
Judging Amy Rosalie Leavitt Episode: "Roses and Truth"
2003 The Division Cheryl Lynn Brinkmeyer Episode: "Rush to Judgment"
NCIS Former Petty Officer Erin Toner Episode: "The Curse"
2004 The Hollywood Mom's Mystery Summer Rossner TV film
Boston Legal Sharon Brant Episode: "Head Cases"
2004–2009 Monk Trudy Monk Recurring role (10 episodes)
2005 CSI: Crime Scene Investigation Sports Book Manager Episode: "Big Middle"
Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure Linda Evans TV film
2005–2013 The Office Jan Levinson Regular role; 46 episodes
2006 Without a Trace Pamela Seaver Episode: "Rage"
Gilmore Girls Carolyn Bates Episode: "Partings"
The Office: The Accountants Jan Levinson-Gould Episode: "The Books Don't Balance"
2008 Mom, Dad and Her Emma TV film
Yo Gabba Gabba! Herself Episode: "Birthday"
2010 Outlaw Claire Sax Recurring role (4 episodes)
2011 CSI: Miami Wendy Colton Episode: "G.O."
2012–2013 Wedding Band Roxie Rutherford Main role (10 episodes)
2013 Scandal Shelley Meyers Episode: "Say Hello to My Little Friend"
2014 Killer Women Nan Reed Episode: "Some Men Need Killing"
Do It Yourself Kaye TV film
2014–2019 Transparent Tammy Cashman Recurring role (14 episodes)
Nominated—Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (2016)
2015 Falling Skies Captain Katie Marshall Episodes: "Everybody Has Their Reasons", "Stalag 14th Virginia"
2016 The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez Courtney Monroe TV film
2017 The Blacklist Isabella Stone 2 episodes
When We Rise Carole Midgen Episode: "Night III: Parts IV and V"
2017–2021 The Bold Type Jacqueline Carlyle Main role
2019,2022 A Million Little Things Patricia Bloom 5 episodes
2020 Celebrity Family Feud Herself Episode: "The Bold Type vs. RuPaul's Drag Race"
2021 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant, Season 30
2022 Love, Classified Emelia Hallmark Channel movie
2023 Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk Movie Trudy Monk TV movie
Director
Year Title Notes
2009 You
2020 The Bold Type Episode: "Snow Day"
2022 The Bold Type Episode: "Snow Day"

References

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  1. ^ "Melora Hardin Biography". TV Guide. Archived from the original on October 3, 2016.
  2. ^ Dansby, Andrew. "Melora Hardin just can't seem to slow down". Houston Chronicle. Texas: Hearst. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  3. ^ Berman, Nat (June 30, 2017). "Five Things You Didn't know about Melora Hardin". tvovermind.com. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  4. ^ Schreffler, Laura (August 11, 2016). "Transparent Star Melora Hardin Shares Her Haute Secrets to LA". hauteliving.com. Haute Living. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  5. ^ Gans, Andrew (January 16, 2009). "DIVA TALK: Chatting with Chicago's Melora Hardin, the Final Gypsy and News of Chenoweth, Kaye". playbill.com. Playbill, Inc. Retrieved August 29, 2019.
  6. ^ Mattise, Nathan (December 8, 2011). "Marty McFly's Original Girlfriend Goes Back to the Future". Wired. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
  7. ^ Murphy, Joel (November 2007). "One on One with Melora Hardin". hobotrashcan.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
  8. ^ "NCIS". IMDb.com. October 28, 2003. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  9. ^ 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. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
  10. ^ "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure: Credits". Der-denver-clan.de. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
  11. ^ [1] Archived May 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  12. ^ "Stokes Mitchell, McVey, O'Donnell, Michele and More Set for Les Miz at the Bowl". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on February 2, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  13. ^ ""Office" Star Hardin to Make Broadway Debut in Chicago". Playbill.com. Archived from the original on January 7, 2009. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  14. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (July 23, 2010). "Melora Hardin Joins NBC's New 'Outlaw'". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  15. ^ "Pronger trade key to Ducks' rebuilding". Sporting News. Archived from the original on July 23, 2013. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  16. ^ "Michael Scott's ex to sing National Anthem at Coyotes' home opener". Phoenix.fanster.com. October 13, 2010. Retrieved November 29, 2012.
  17. ^ "'Dancing With the Stars' 2021: Meet the season 30 celebrity cast". Good Morning America. September 8, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2021.
  18. ^ Duncan, Gabrielle (November 15, 2021). "DWTS: Who Went Home in Monday's Semifinal Double Elimination?". people.com. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  19. ^ "Gildart Jackson". Hollywood.com. Archived from the original on August 21, 2017. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
  20. ^ Jackson, Gildart (July 19, 2009). "Father, Writer, Actor, Father". The Huffington Post. Archived from the original on November 25, 2020. Retrieved August 20, 2017.
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