Melissa Peterman
Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Script error: No such module "infobox".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Template:Main otherScript error: No such module "Check for clobbered parameters".Template:Wikidata image
Melissa 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 has been the host of the television game show Person, Place or Thing. It was announced she was cast in the Reba McEntire led sitcom, Happy's Place on NBC which premiered on October 18, 2024.
Career
Template:BLP sources section Upon graduating from Minnesota State, Peterman was cast as Madeline Monroe in Hey City Theater's production of Tony n' Tina's Wedding.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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
In 2001, Peterman was cast as Barbra Jean Booker-Hart in Reba opposite country music star Reba McEntire and television veteran Christopher Rich.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". She also made appearances in How High and the unreleased independent film Cook-Off.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". On television, she appeared in the Oxygen sketch comedy show Running with Scissors and guest-starred on Just Shoot Me! and The Pitts.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". She also portrayed an unstable guidance counselor, Mrs. Splitz, on Ned's Declassified School Survival Guide.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
2007–2010: Tours, pilots, and The Singing Bee
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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 2007, Peterman appeared as the opening act on country singer and former Reba co-star Reba McEntire's tour.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Peterman returned the following year when McEntire toured with Kelly Clarkson.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 2007, Peterman hosted Comedy Stage for CMT.[10] The series finished its run after eight episodes.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The next year, she hosted a special, Redneck Dreams, for the network.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Also in 2008, she was in two episodes of Wanna Bet? as a celebrity panelist.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Peterman also appeared in an episode of animated comedy American Dad!.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". She announced she was shooting another comedy, this time for FOX, titled Living With Abandon.[11] The pilot was not ordered to series.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In 2009, she landed the hosting gig for The Singing Bee.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The show had been cancelled by NBC, and CMT expressed interest in reviving the competition.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Also in 2009, Peterman appeared in Rita Rocks on Lifetime, and in Surviving Suburbia on ABC.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Peterman is no longer listed on the record label website.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". Also that year, Peterman hosted the CMT Music Awards red carpet.[15]
2011: Working Class
Peterman had revealed, in 2010, she was starring in another pilot.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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
In 2012, Peterman announced she was appearing in an upcoming ABC Family sitcom, Baby Daddy.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". The show ended on May 22, 2017, after six seasons.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
In January 2013, ABC ordered Bet On Your Baby and announced Peterman was the host.[22] The competition series debuted Saturday, April 6.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
Beginning in 2019, Peterman hosted the comedy game show Punch Line, where two teams of comedians try to supply punchlines to various headlines.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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
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
Film
| 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
| 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] |
| 2024–present | Happy’s Place | Gabby | Main role[30] |
| 2024 | The Voice | Herself | Cameo; Blind Auditions: Part 6 |
References
External links
- Template:First word/ Template:PAGENAMEBASE at IMDbTemplate:EditAtWikidataScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1". See also:
- Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Template:Cite tweet
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ https://www.nbc.com/nbc-insider/melissa-peterman-husband-hometown-career
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
- Pages with script errors
- Pages with broken file links
- 1971 births
- Living people
- American game show hosts
- American television actresses
- American film actresses
- American stage actresses
- Actresses from Minnesota
- Big Machine Records artists
- People from Burnsville, Minnesota
- Comedians from Minnesota
- American women comedians