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Melissa Peterman

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Melissa M. Peterman
Peterman in 2017
Born (1971-07-01) July 1, 1971 (age 53)
Alma materMinnesota State University, Mankato
Occupations
  • Actress
  • television host
  • comedian
Years active1996–present
Spouse
John Brady
​
(m. 1999)​
Children1

Melissa M. Peterman (born July 1, 1971)[1] is an American actress, television host and comedian. She has played the role of Barbra Jean in the television comedy series Reba,[2] appeared as Bonnie Wheeler in the ABC Family/Freeform series Baby Daddy, and was host of ABC Family's Dancing Fools, ABC's Bet on Your Baby, and CMT's The Singing Bee. From 2017 to 2024, she played Brenda Sparks in The Big Bang Theory spinoff series Young Sheldon. Since September 2023, she is the host of the television game show Person, Place or Thing.

Career

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Upon graduating from Minnesota State, Peterman was cast as Madeline Monroe in Hey City Theater's production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding. After more than 600 performances, she went on to write and perform at Brave New Workshop, the improvisational comedy theatre in Minneapolis.[3] The theater boasts such alumni as Pat Proft, Louie Anderson, Cedric Yarbrough, Mo Collins, and Al Franken.[4]

In 1996, Peterman made her film debut as "Hooker #2" in the Oscar-winning Coen brothers' movie Fargo.[5]

2001–2006: Reba and other appearances

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In 2001, Peterman was cast as Barbra Jean Booker-Hart in Reba opposite country music star Reba McEntire and television veteran Christopher Rich. The show was the most-watched comedy on The WB in its debut season.[6] In 2007, the show ended its run after six seasons. Episodes continue to air in syndication on multiple networks.[7]

During this time, Peterman also returned to film with Recipe for Disaster alongside Lesley Ann Warren and John Lette. She also made appearances in How High and the unreleased independent film Cook-Off. Peterman remained loyal to her comic roots, too, as the host of 15 Minutes of Fem, a comedy showcase for women presented at the Egyptian Theatre. On television, she appeared in the Oxygen sketch comedy show Running with Scissors and guest-starred on Just Shoot Me! and The Pitts. She also portrayed an unstable guidance counselor, Mrs. Splitz, on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.

During her summer hiatus from Reba, Peterman hosted The Sound of Music Sing-a-Long, reprising her hosting gig the previous summer's The Wizard of Oz Sing-a-Long, at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles. Peterman also made appearances on the World Cup Comedy Challenge television series, as well as on the celebrity edition of Trading Spaces, with her Reba co-star Christopher Rich.

2007–2010: Tours, pilots, and The Singing Bee

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Peterman performing in 2008

In October, ABC announced Peterman had been cast in an untitled comedy pilot starring Cedric the Entertainer.[8] The show was taped before an audience on October 30, 2007. In December, the network announced they had secured the actors, indicating they were interested in the project.[9] During the annual upfront presentation on May 13, 2008, ABC confirmed they did not order the pilot to series.

In 2007, Peterman appeared as the opening act on country singer and former Reba co-star Reba McEntire's tour. Peterman returned the following year when McEntire toured with Kelly Clarkson.

In 2007, Peterman hosted Comedy Stage for CMT.[10] The series finished its run after eight episodes. The next year, she hosted a special, Redneck Dreams, for the network. Also in 2008, she was in two episodes of Wanna Bet? as a celebrity panelist. Peterman also appeared in an episode of animated comedy American Dad!. She announced she was shooting another comedy, this time for FOX, titled Living With Abandon.[11] The pilot was not ordered to series.

In 2009, she landed the hosting gig for The Singing Bee. The show had been cancelled by NBC, and CMT expressed interest in reviving the competition. Also in 2009, Peterman appeared in Rita Rocks on Lifetime, and in Surviving Suburbia on ABC. She starred opposite Gary Valentine in Dusty Peacock, an online comedy series on Crackle.[12]

In February 2010, Big Machine Records announced that they signed Peterman to a recording contract, and she was to release her debut comedy album that year.[13] The album has been recorded, but has not yet been released. Peterman is no longer listed on the record label website. Her debut comedy special, Melissa Peterman: Am I The Only One?, premiered March 12, 2010, on CMT.[14] The special was taped before an audience in Nashville, Tennessee. Also that year, Peterman hosted the CMT Music Awards red carpet.[15]

2011: Working Class

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Peterman had revealed, in 2010, she was starring in another pilot. The family sitcom, titled Working Class, was the first original scripted comedy for the CMT network.[16] Peterman starred alongside comedy veteran Ed Asner and renowned television actor Patrick Fabian. The series debut was the most-watched and highest-rated in network history.[17] The series was canceled after one season.[18]

2012–present: Baby Daddy, Young Sheldon, and other shows

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Peterman in 2013

In 2012, Peterman announced she was appearing in an upcoming ABC Family sitcom, Baby Daddy. In March, the network announced Peterman, originally only appearing in one episode, had been upgraded to series regular.[19] The network also revealed the pilot was the highest-testing comedy pilot in network history.[20] Baby Daddy finished its season as the highest-rated comedy in key demographics.[21] The show was renewed for a second season, returning Wednesday, May 29. The show ended on May 22, 2017, after six seasons.

In January 2013, ABC ordered Bet On Your Baby and announced Peterman was the host.[22] The competition series debuted Saturday, April 6. In February 2013, ABC Family announced Peterman was also the host of another upcoming competition, Dancing Fools.[23]

Peterman also guest starred on Last Man Standing as CeCe in Season 8.[24]

From 2017 to 2024, Peterman played Brenda Sparks, a recurring character on the CBS sitcom, Young Sheldon. Originally married to Herschel Sparks (Billy Gardell) in Seasons 1 and 2, Peterman's character becomes the divorced and single mom next door neighbor to the Cooper family in season 4 and is at times a friend and nemesis to Mary Cooper, played by Zoe Perry. In Seasons 4 and 5, Brenda Sparks and George Cooper (Lance Barber) experience a closer relationship that culminates at the end of season 5 with Brenda propositioning George.

Beginning in 2019, Peterman hosted the comedy game show Punch Line, where two teams of comedians try to supply punchlines to various headlines. She has also been a recurring guest star on the syndicated game show 25 Words or Less, and in 2022, began hosting the game show Person, Place or Thing, a spin-off of the classic game Twenty Questions.

In 2020, Peterman began co-hosting with Reba McEntire on a new podcast titled Living & Learning.[25]

In 2024, it was announced that Peterman was cast in the Reba McEntire led sitcom, Happy's Place on NBC. It premiered on October 18, 2024.[26] As of 2024, Peterman is also the main judge in a Hallmark reality series Finding Mr. Christmas.[27]

Personal life

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Peterman married John Brady in 1999, and they have a son, Riley born in 2005.[28]

Peterman works with The Unusual Suspects Theatre Company, a nonprofit organization helping at-risk youth in the Los Angeles area.[29]

Filmography

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Movies

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Year Title Role Notes
1996 Fargo Hooker #2
2001 How High Shelia Cain
2006 Cook-Off Nancy Shmaedeke Unreleased
2009 Dirty Politics Rita Breaux
2012 Here Comes the Boom Lauren Voss
2014 Muffin Top: A Love Story Kim

Television

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Year Title Role Notes
2000 Just Shoot Me Claire Episode "Choosing to Be Super"
Normal, Ohio Pamela Unaired footage
2001–2007 Reba Barbra Jean Hart née Booker Main role
2003 Recipe For Disaster Gigi Grant TV movie
The Pitts Shirley/Shelly Episode: "Pilot"
2004 Johnny Bravo Becky Episode: "Wilderness Protection Program"
2006 Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide Mrs. Splitz Episode: "Guide to Failing and Tutors"
Exploring Space: The Quest for Life n/a Associate producer
2007 CMT Comedy Stage Host 8 episodes
2008 American Dad! Sister Mary Episode: "Office Spaceman"
Living with Abandon Rachelle TV movie
Untitled Cedric the Entertainer Project Marci Wittman
2009 Rita Rocks Jennifer 5 episodes
Surviving Suburbia Mrs. Munice 3 episodes
2009–2012 The Singing Bee Host
2010–2012 & 2015 Pretty the Series Candy 8 episodes
2011 Working Class Carli Mitchell Main role; also producer
2012 Retired at 35 Julia Episode: "The Proposal"
2012–2017 Baby Daddy Bonnie Wheeler Series Regular, 100 episodes
2013–2014 Bet on Your Baby Host 16 episodes
2013 Dancing Fools 8 episodes
2014 Deal with It Herself

Episode: "Melissa Peterman and Sarah Colonna"

2016 Home & Family Guest host
2016–2017 Valerie's Home Cooking Herself
2017 Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition Herself Contestant
2018–2024 Young Sheldon Brenda Sparks Recurring role, 35 episodes
2019 A Gingerbread Romance Linda TV movie
2019–2020 Sydney to the Max Mrs. Harris 3 episodes
Last Man Standing Celia "CeCe" Powers 2 episodes
2022–present Person, Place or Thing Host
2023 Reba McEntire's The Hammer Kris TV movie
Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up Pamela
2024 Finding Mr. Christmas Herself Main Judge[27]
Happy’s Place Gabby Main role[30]
The Voice Herself Cameo; Blind Auditions: Part 6

References

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  1. ^ "Almanac: Today's Birthdays". Dubuque Telegraph-Herald. July 1, 2023. p. A3. ProQuest 2833777081. Actor Andre Braugher is 61. Actor Dominic Keating is 61. Actor Pamela Anderson is 56. Rock musician Mark Pirro is 53. Rock musician Franny Griffiths (Space) is 53. Actor Henry Simmons is 53. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 52. Actor Julianne Nicholson is 52. Actor Melissa Peterman is 52. Actor/writer Jill Kargman is 49. Rock musician Bryan Devendorf (The National) is 48. Singer/songwriter Sufjan Stevens is 48. Actor Thomas Sadoski is 47. Actor Liv Tyler is 46. See also:
    • "Today is Monday, July 1, the 182nd day of 2013". Corpus Christi Caller-Times. July 1, 2013. p. A2. ProQuest 1648931049. Actress Pamela Anderson is 46. Hip-hop artist Missy Elliott is 42. Actress Melissa Peterman is 42. Actress Liv Tyler is 36.
  2. ^ "CMT : TV Shows : Watch Full Episodes Online : Featured Shows, Schedules and Top 20 Video Countdown". CMT. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  3. ^ "Melissa Peterman". CMT Press. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  4. ^ "Brave New Workshop – Alumni". Brave New Workshop Comedy Theatre. Archived from the original on March 6, 2013. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  5. ^ @@Followtheblonde (February 7, 2020). "Throwback Thursday to when I was a working girl in Fargo. #GoBears #hooker#2 #Fargo #bangsonfleek #dopeoplestillsayonfleek? #stilloneofthecoolestgigs #coenbrothers" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  6. ^ "How did your favorite show rate?". USA Today. May 8, 2002. Archived from the original on October 15, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  7. ^ "ABC Family Acquires Reba; Remembering Ernest Borgnine, McHale's Navy Marathon on Antenna TV and TCM Films Tribute". July 9, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  8. ^ "Cedric the Entertainer's ABC Pilot Lands Two More Actors". Movie Web. October 12, 2007. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  9. ^ "Development Update: Week of December 17–21". The Futon Critic. December 21, 2007. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  10. ^ "CMT STEPS UP TO THE MIC WHEN "CMT COMEDY STAGE" PREMIERES FEBRUARY 2". CMT Press. January 16, 2007. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved March 18, 2013.
  11. ^ "October 29, 2008". Melissa Peterman. October 29, 2009. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  12. ^ "Crackle.com to Premiere New Comedy Web Series 'Dusty Peacock' on Monday, July 13th". StreetInsider.com. July 9, 2009. Retrieved August 18, 2009.
  13. ^ "BMR Signs Melissa Peterman". Big Machine Records. February 23, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2010. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  14. ^ "'MELISSA PETERMAN: AM I THE ONLY ONE?' PREMIERES FRIDAY, MARCH 12 ON CMT". CMT Press. March 5, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  15. ^ "MELISSA PETERMAN HOSTS COUNTRY MUSIC'S HOTTEST RED CARPET WHEN THE LIVE "CMT MUSIC AWARDS RED CARPET 2010" PREMIERES WEDNESDAY, JUNE 9". CMT Press. June 1, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  16. ^ "CMT GREENLIGHTS FIRST SITCOM "WORKING CLASS" STARRING MELISSA PETERMAN TO PREMIERE IN JANUARY 2011". CMT Press. August 10, 2010. Archived from the original on December 15, 2014. Retrieved March 14, 2013.
  17. ^ "REBA REUNITES WITH MELISSA PETERMAN IN AN ALL-NEW EPISODE OF 'WORKING CLASS' PREMIERING FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 4 ON CMT". February 1, 2011. Archived from the original on December 6, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  18. ^ "CMT Cancels 'Working Class' Sitcom". The Hollywood Reporter. April 11, 2011. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  19. ^ "ABC Family Announces Jean-Luc Bilodeau ("Kyle XY") Has Been Cast as the Unexpected Father in "Baby Daddy"". The Futon Critic. March 1, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  20. ^ "ABC Family Picks Up New Comedy And Reality Series, Renews 'American Teenager'". Deadline. February 2, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  21. ^ "ABC Family's "Baby Daddy" Wraps as Cable TV's #1 New Comedy of Summer 2012". The Futon Critic. August 30, 2012. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  22. ^ "ABC Orders Parenting Game Show 'Bet On Your Baby'". The Hollywood Reporter. January 30, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  23. ^ "ABC Family Continues Its Original Programming Momentum – Network Greenlights Two New Reality Series, "Dancing Fools" and "The Vineyard"". The Futon Critic. February 13, 2013. Retrieved March 12, 2013.
  24. ^ "A 'Reba' Star Played Jay Leno's Love Interest on 'Last Man Standing' and It Was a Lot". Country Living. March 2, 2020. Retrieved October 11, 2020.
  25. ^ "Reba McEntire to reunite with Melissa Peterman on new podcast".
  26. ^ Manno, Jackie (July 9, 2024). "All About Reba McEntire New NBC Sitcom, Happy's Place". Retrieved August 19, 2024.
  27. ^ a b Alexander, Bryan (October 30, 2024). "Hallmark's search for hunky 'Mr. Christmas' is on with Jonathan Bennett's reality show". USA Today. Archived from the original on December 1, 2024. Retrieved December 1, 2024.
  28. ^ https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/melissa-peterman-husband-hometown-career
  29. ^ "Hollywood Journal". hollywoodjournal.com. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved May 19, 2020.
  30. ^ Hailu, Selome (May 8, 2024). "Reba McEntire Comedy 'Happy's Place' Ordered to Series at NBC". Variety. Retrieved May 23, 2024.
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