Valerie Bertinelli Biography

Fast Facts

• After struggling with her weight for years, she joined and became a spokesperson for Jenny Craig in 2009, losing 50 lbs․ through the program and becoming a health activist
• Benefitting the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston, she ran in the Boston Marathon in April of 2010
• Trained in acting at the Tami Lynn School of Artists
• Appeared in a commercial for J․C․ Penney when she was 12 years old
• Made her screen acting debut on the TV series "Apple's Way" in 1974
• Quote: "Happiness is a choice․ You can choose to be happy․ There's going to be stress in life, but it's your choice whether to let it affect you or not․"
• Best known for playing Barbara Cooper in "One Day at a Time" and Melanie Moretti in "Hot in Cleveland․"
• Has appeared in feature films such as "C․H․O․M․P․S․," "Ordinary Heroes" and "Number One with a Bullet․"
• At her 2011 wedding to financial planner Tom Vitale, she wore a unique dress that designer David Meister had crafted especially for her
• Published a book called "Losing It: And Gaining My Life Back One Pound at a Time․"