Melissa Peterman is an accomplished actor, host, and producer. Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, she made a name for herself when she was cast in the local production of Tony and Tina's Wedding. She went on to perform in over 600 shows and became a staple on the comedy and improv scene.
Peterman is currently starring in NBC's hit Happy’s Place, now entering its third season. The comedy reunites her with Reba McEntire with whom she costarred in the successful comedy series, Reba, for seven seasons as Barbra Jean. She spent six seasons as Bonnie Wheeler on the ABC Family's #1 rated comedy series Baby Daddy which won the People's Choice Award for "Favorite Cable TV Comedy." A few of Melissa's other notable television credits include a long-recurring role on the massive hit Young Sheldon, and a starring role in Working Class with Ed Asner, which she also Executive Produced. She has hosted numerous competition series, including four seasons of CMT's The Singing Bee, ABC Family's Dancing Fools, and ABC's Bet on Your Baby. She also served as executive producer and host for Fox First Run's Person, Place or Thing and Punchline, and is a frequent special guest on 25 Words or Less. Peterman competed in Food Network's hit Worst Cooks in America: Celebrity Edition and created, produced and co-starred in the network’s pilot Val's Hot Dish. Peterman co-hosted the E! Oscar's After Party and is a frequent guest cohost on Access Live, E! and Daily POP.
She returned as lead judge for the second season of Hallmark's popular unscripted reality competition Finding Mr. Christmas, the first season of which was nominated for a Critics Choice Award and a GLAAD Media Award. She can be seen in the Hallmark Channel Christmas movies Haul Out the Holly and its sequels, Haul Out the Holly: Lit Up and Haul Out the Halloween. She can also be seen in All’s Fair in Love and Mahjong for the Hallmark’s May for Moms programming.
Peterman made her feature film debut as Hooker No. 2 in the Coen Brothers' Oscar-winning film Fargo. Other film credits include 40 is the New Dead, Here Comes the Boom, and Dirty Politics.
A long-standing guest of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Association, Peterman has hosted the Sound of Music Sing-A-Long at The Hollywood Bowl since 2004. She also hosts the LA Phil's annual Holiday Sing-Along at the Walt Disney Concert Hall. She has also joined Reba McEntire, Kelly Clarkson, George Strait and Lee Ann Womack on their respective tours.
Peterman is committed to many charities including Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross, and Selfless Love Foundation.
