Although she is best known as a ditzy homewrecker, Melissa Peterman is anything but. The comedienne has appeared in feature films, television series and stage productions, and in just over a decade, has racked up a total of sixty credits.

The beginning to her career is something that could not be falsified. Peterman, now best known for a starring role in a family sitcom, made her debut on the big screen as a prostitute. This iconic role was the ironic beginning of a successful career.

Throughout her childhood, Peterman dreamed of becoming a successful actress, and now she is just that. After twelve years of stability and success, her career continues to unfold in a positive manner, with recurring roles, national tours, theater appearances, hosting gigs, and various other opportunities.


Around the world, audiences fell in love with Peterman for her portrayal of the youthful, ditzy, blonde homewrecker on Reba. Prior, the actress had appeared in numerous feature films and stage productions, but struggled to find a project where she could truly shine. Secondary school served as a launching pad for the teenager, where she made her stage debut in their production of Mousetrap. The theater director at the school recruited Peterman for a group of students that traveled and performed at nearby prisons. Perhaps this is where the comedienne learned how to handle tough crowds.

After graduating from both secondary school and university, Peterman decided to utilize her theater major and leave her journalism major for later, as she auditioned and was cast in a traveling production of Tony 'N Tina's Wedding. The show was a success from the beginning, critically and commercially, and closed after six-hundred performances. Peterman enjoyed the experience, and continued to work at various improvisational comedy theaters.

Enter the legendary Coen brothers, who were casting for their upcoming thriller Fargo. Peterman had always dreamed of becoming an actress, and this was the perfect role, as it was small yet memorable. At the time, Peterman was twenty-five years old, and reflecting on her work with the iconic filmmakers, credited her youthfulness for the role, as she simply did not have the capacity to worry. After the release of the movie, Peterman returned to her theater roots.

Bluntly titled, Elections, Erections, & Genuflections was one of two productions that occupied Peterman between Fargo and her next major appearance, this time on television in Just Shoot Me! for one episode. Peterman continued to work in television, when she was cast in Normal, Ohio, which was known as Don't Ask! at the time. For reasons unknown, the role was recast and Peterman was dropped from the series altogether.

With her spirits broken and her expectations lowered, Peterman was cast in How High, a feature film which was distributed internationally. The future was uncertain, but she auditioned and won a role in Reba, an upcoming family sitcom.

Executives and audiences alike doubted that the show would last past the initial order of thirteen episodes, but the series quickly became a ratings hit and network darling, lasting for six seasons, consistantly one of the highest-rated shows on the network.

Despite the fact that Reba was still on the air and still a hit with international audiences, Peterman starred in other projects during the series, notably Recipe For Disaster and Cook-Off!, the latter of which remains unreleased.

Reba remained a success until the end, but was canceled for appealing to unwanted demographics. Peterman rebounded as host of Comedy Stage, however the show was canceled after only several months on air. Peterman embarked on a new venture and joined Reba star and country singer Reba McEntire on tour, as the opening act, where she performed stand-up comedy.

After completing a summer tour with the country superstar, Peterman returned to television in an untitled pilot with Cedric The Entertainer. The network passed on the pilot, and Peterman auditioned and was cast in Dirty Politics, an independent film that is scheduled to be released in 2009.

During her run as the opening act the previous summer, Peterman was praised by fans and critics alike for her brilliant comedy, and returned as the opening act for the Two Worlds, Two Voices tour, featuring both Kelly Clarkson and Reba McEntire. Peterman opened a majority of the shows, missing only a few due to other engagements. Peterman taped an appearance on Surviving Suburbia during the tour. Additionally, she taped another pilot, titled Living With Abandon.

Projects are constantly lined up and auditions are constantly arranged and over the years, both Peterman and her career have evolved, and will continue to with every additional television project, feature film, national tour, and stage production. Currently, however, Melissa and her husband, John Brady, reside in Los Angeles with their son, Riley, who was born on October 20, 2005. The couple was married on June 5, 1999 and will soon celebrate their tenth anniversary.