Melora Hardin
| Melora Hardin | |
|---|---|
 Hardin at the premiere of 27 Dresses, January 2008 | |
| Born |
June 29, 1967 Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Occupation | Actress, singer |
| Years active | 1977–present |
| Spouse(s) | Gildart Jackson (m. 1997) |
| Children | 2 |
| Website |
www |
Melora Diane Hardin (born June 29, 1967) is an American actress and singer, known for her roles as Jan Levinson on NBC's The Office and Trudy Monk on USA's Monk. More recently, Hardin appeared in a recurring role on Amazon's critically acclaimed series Transparent, for which she was nominated for an Emmy.
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. She was raised in San Francisco, California, after her family moved there when she was 4 years old. She went to middle school in the San Fernando Valley at Patrick Henry Junior High.[2] She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College.
Career
1977–1999
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 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 as Jennifer Parker, but was re-cast after Eric Stoltz (the original Marty McFly) was let go. Upon Michael J. Fox being cast, Hardin was deemed too tall to star alongside him. She was later replaced by Claudia Wells.[3][4]
2000–present
Hardin starred in the 2000–2001 series Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family, and 2004-2009 she played the recurring role of Trudy Monk, the title character's deceased wife, on the USA Network series Monk. She appeared on the series NCIS as former Petty Officer Erin Toner in the episode "The Curse".[5] 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 prime time soap opera Dynasty.[6][7] Hardin played former corporate manager Jan Levinson in The Office from 2005 to 2013.
Hardin later appeared in the 2006 film Thank You for Smoking, and appears in Hannah Montana: The Movie as Robby Ray's (Billy Ray Cyrus') love interest. The film premiered on April 10, 2009.[8] She played the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of Les Misérables in Summer 2008.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] Hardin played the role of Isabelle Palmer's mother Nancy in An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight (2014).
Singing career
Hardin played a nightclub singer in Disney's The Rocketeer (1991), where she can be heard singing "Begin the Beguine". She also played a major role in the TV movie Tower of Terror, where she sings "Boy of My Dreams".
Hardin sang the National Anthem at the season opening hockey games of the Anaheim Ducks on October 13, 2010,[12] and the Phoenix Coyotes on October 16, 2010.[13] She sang the Star Spangled Banner at the Dover International Speedway for the AAA 400 on October 2, 2011. Hardin sang the song "Tiers of Joy" (composed by Austin Wintory) for the Leisure Suit Larry: Reloaded soundtrack.
Filmography
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | North Avenue Irregulars, TheThe North Avenue Irregulars | Carmel | |
| 1985 | Papa Was a Preacher | Janette | |
| 1986 | Iron Eagle | Katie | |
| 1986 | Soul Man | Whitney Dunbar | |
| 1989 | Big Man on Campus | Cathy | |
| 1989 | Jeweler's Shop, TheThe Jeweler's Shop | Monica | |
| 1990 | Lambada | Sandy Thomas | |
| 1991 | The Rocketeer | South Seas singer | |
| 1993 | Reckless Kelly | Robin Banks | |
| 1994 | Pornographer, TheThe Pornographer | Sasha Leon Hoffner | |
| 1995 | Chameleon | Jill Hallman | |
| 1996 | Undercover Kid, TheThe Undercover Kid | Clyde | |
| 1997 | Absolute Power | Christy Sullivan | |
| 1997 | Tower of Terror | Carolyn Crosson | |
| 1998 | Erasable You | Calamity | |
| 1999 | Seven Girlfriends | Laura | |
| 2000 | Certain Guys | Mary Beth | |
| 2002 | Hot Chick, TheThe Hot Chick | Carol | |
| 2004 | El padrino | Jane | |
| 2007 | Drive Thru | Marcia Carpenter | |
| 2007 | Dukes, TheThe Dukes | Diane | |
| 2007 | Boxboarders! | Ruth Keene | |
| 2007 | The Comebacks | Barb Fields | |
| 2007 | Violin, TheThe Violin | Gertrude Bloch | Short film |
| 2008 | 27 Dresses | Maureen | |
| 2009 | 17 Again | Principal Jane Masterson | |
| 2009 | Hannah Montana: The Movie | Lorelai | |
| 2009 | You | Miranda | Also director and producer |
| 2010 | Knucklehead | Mary | |
| 2011 | I Melt with You | Jane | |
| 2012 | Zombie Hamlet | Pam | |
| 2012 | Beauty and the Least: The Misadventures of Ben Banks | Mary Andrews | |
| 2012 | Taking the Edge Off | Short film | |
| 2014 | An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight | Nancy Palmer | |
| 2015 | Self/less | Judy O'Neill |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Police Story | Sheila | Episodes: "The Jar: Parts 1 & 2" |
| 1977 | Thunder | Cindy Prescott | Main role (12 episodes) |
| 1977 | Cliffwood Avenue Kids, TheThe Cliffwood Avenue Kids | Melora | TV series |
| 1978 | Love Boat, TheThe 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" |
| 1980 | ABC Afterschool Special | Amy Warner | Episode: "What Are Friends For?" |
| 1980 | 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 | Family Tree, TheThe Family Tree | Tess Benjamin | TV series |
| 1983 | Magnum, P.I. | Nancy Perkins Gillis | Episode: "Luther Gillis: File #521" |
| 1984 | Mama Malone | Kathleen | Episode: "The Education of Frankie" |
| 1985 | Best Times, TheThe 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 |
| 1992 | Mann & Machine | Louise Trotsky | Episode: "Torch Song" |
| 1992 | 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" |
| 1994 | Golden Gate | Susan Carlino | TV film |
| 1994 | Renegade | Laura McMillan | Episode: "Carrick O'Quinn" |
| 1994 | Matlock | Lisa Swift | Episode: "The Scandal" |
| 1994 | Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman | Molly Flynn | Episode: "Operation Blackout" |
| 1995 | Friends | Celia | Episode: "The One with the Stoned Guy" |
| 1995 | Touched by an Angel | Lizbeth | Episode: "The Big Bang" |
| 1995 | Diagnosis: Murder | Savannah Bellows | Episode: "The New Healers" |
| 1996 | Renegade | Kelly Anderson | Episode: "Paradise Lost" |
| 1996 | Caroline in the City | Beth | Episode: "Caroline and the Bridesmaids" |
| 1997 | Things That Go Bump | Chloe Garrett | TV film |
| 1997 | Orleans | Gina Vitelli | Episodes: "Luther's Temptation", "When the Saints Go Marching In" |
| 1997 | Tower of Terror | Claire Poulet | TV film |
| 1997 | Tom Show, TheThe Tom Show | Lorraine | Episode: "Tom's First Date" |
| 1998 | Tom Show, TheThe Tom Show | Lorraine | Episode: "The Centerfold" |
| 1998 | Timecop | Edith Thomas | Episode: "Lost Voyage" |
| 1998 | Pretender, TheThe Pretender | Wendy Dawson | Episode: "Homefront" |
| 1999 | Payne | Danielle Harris | Episode: "Gossip Checks In and a Cat Checks Out" |
| 1999 | 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" |
| 2002 | Judging Amy | Rosalie Leavitt | Episode: "Roses and Truth" |
| 2003 | Division, TheThe Division | Cheryl Lynn Brinkmeyer | Episode: "Rush to Judgment" |
| 2003 | NCIS | Former Petty Officer Erin Toner | Episode: "The Curse" |
| 2004 | Hollywood Mom's Mystery, TheThe Hollywood Mom's Mystery | Summer Rossner | TV film |
| 2004 | Boston Legal | Sharon Brant | Episode: "Head Cases" |
| 2004–2009 | Monk | Trudy Monk | Recurring role (10 episodes) |
| 2005 | Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure | Linda Evans | TV film |
| 2005–2013 | Office, TheThe Office | Jan Levinson | Regular role; 46 episodes (10 voice only) |
| 2006 | Without a Trace | Pamela Seaver | Episode: "Rage" |
| 2006 | Gilmore Girls | Carolyn Bates | Episode: "Partings" |
| 2006 | Office: The Accountants, TheThe Office: The Accountants | Jan Levinson-Gould | Episode: "The Books Don't Balance" |
| 2008 | Mom, Dad and Her | Emma | TV film |
| 2008 | 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" |
| 2014 | Do It Yourself | Kaye | TV film, post-production |
| 2014–2015 | Transparent | Tammy | Recurring role (13 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" |
References
- ↑ "OFFICE AFFAIR". PressDisplay.com. 2007-02-22. Retrieved 2007-12-10.
- ↑ Archived December 24, 2005, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ Mattise, Nathan (December 8, 2011). "Marty McFly's Original Girlfriend Goes Back to the Future". Wired. Retrieved December 19, 2011.
- ↑ Murphy, Joel (November 2007). "One on One with Melora Hardin". hobotrashcan.com. Retrieved August 11, 2015.
- ↑ "NCIS". IMDb.com. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ↑ 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. Retrieved February 26, 2009.
- ↑ "Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure: Credits". Der-denver-clan.de. Retrieved February 27, 2009.
- ↑ Archived May 28, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ "Stokes Mitchell, McVey, O'Donnell, Michele and More Set for Les Miz at the Bowl". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ↑ ""Office" Star Hardin to Make Broadway Debut in Chicago". Playbill.com. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "Melora Hardin Joins NBC's New 'Outlaw'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ↑ "Pronger trade key to Ducks' rebuilding". Sporting News. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
- ↑ "Michael Scott's ex to sing National Anthem at Coyotes' home opener". Phoenix.fanster.com. 2010-10-13. Retrieved 2012-11-29.
External links
- Official website
- Melora Hardin at the Internet Movie Database
- Melora Hardin at AllMovie
- Melora Hardin at the TCM Movie Database