Melora Hardin Biography
Summary
"Melora Diane Hardin" (born June 29, 1967) is an American actress, best known for her role as Jan Levinson on NBC's "The Office".
Early life
Hardin was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of acting manager/coach and retired actress Diane (née Hill) and actor Jerry Hardin. She is the sister of Flock CEO Shawn Hardin. She was raised in San Francisco, California, right 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 in the same station's series "NCIS" as former Petty Officer Erin Toner in the episode The Curse. 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". 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.
She played the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of "Les Misérables" in Summer 2008.
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.
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.
External links
(Melora Hardin) on MySpace
(One on One with Melora Hardin)
Credit
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article about Melora Hardin.
