Melissa Peterman Biography

Fast Facts

• Muhammad Ali's Celebrity Fight Night, Habitat for Humanity, The Red Cross and the non-profit Buzzworks Theatre Company
• An alumni of the Mankato's Theatre & Dance program at Minnesota State University
• Married actor John Brady in 1999, having a son, Riley David
• Before debuting as a hooker in the Oscar-winning "Fargo" crime drama-thriller of 1996, her career began with performances in theater, followed by improv and stand-up comedy
• Quote: "(On co-writing the novel, "Happily Ever Before" with friend Aimee Pitta) "As an actor and comedian, writing material or characters has always come naturally to me and something I enjoyed, but it was Aimee who pushed me, in the best sense of the word, into writing․""
• Best known for playing "Barbra Jean" on the hit comedy, "Reba," which ran from 2001 to 2007
• Toured with country superstars Reba McEntire, George Strait and Lee Ann Womack, performing stand-up comedy