Melora Diane Hardin Jackson (born June 29, 1967) is an American actress and singer. She is known for her roles as Jan Levinson on NBC's The Office (2005–2013), Trudy Monk on USA Network's Monk (2004–2009), and Tammy Cashman on Prime's Transparent (2014–2019), for which she was nominated for a Primetime Emmy. She starred as Lorelai in Hannah Montana: The Movie (2009). She also starred as magazine editor-in-chief Jacqueline Carlyle on The Bold Type, which aired on Freeform from 2017 to 2021.
Early life Hardin was born in Houston, Texas, the daughter of acting manager, coach, and retired actress Diane (née Hill) and actor Jerry Hardin. She is the sister of former Flock CEO Shawn Hardin. She moved to San Francisco, California, at age 5 and later attended middle and high school in the San Fernando Valley at Patrick Henry Junior High School and Ulysses S. Grant High School, respectively. She graduated from Sarah Lawrence College.
Career
1976–1999 Hardin started her acting career as the young star of the television series Thunder (1977–1978), and has appeared in over 70 movies and television programs since, including episode 39 of The Love Boat in 1978, two episodes of the medical drama Quincy, M.E. (as Amanda in the 1979 episode "Never a Child" and as Abagail "Abby" Garvin in the infamous 1982 anti-punk rock episode "Next Stop, Nowhere"), two 1981 Little House on the Prairie episodes (as Belinda Stevens in "The Reincarnation of Nellie", Parts 1 and 2) as well as playing Michele Pierson in the 1983 television movie Little House: Look Back to Yesterday. Hardin appeared as Whitney Dunbar, opposite C. Thomas Howell, in the 1986 film, Soul Man. She starred as Baby in the short-lived 1988 television series Dirty Dancing (based on the 1987 film of the same name) and two 1992 episodes of Quantum Leap (as Abigail in "Trilogy", Parts 2 and 3). She co-starred in the 1990 dance movie Lambada as Sandy. She appeared in Absolute Power (1997) as Christy Sullivan and played Ross's dirty-talking love interest in the season 1 Friends episode "The One with the Stoned Guy".
She was also originally cast in Back to the Future (1985) as Jennifer Parker alongside Eric Stoltz, who starred as Marty McFly. Stoltz was fired shortly after filming began and was replaced with Michael J. Fox. Hardin was deemed too tall to star alongside Fox, and she was later replaced by Claudia Wells.
2000–present Hardin starred in the 2000–2001 series Cover Me: Based on the True Life of an FBI Family, and she played the recurring role of Trudy Monk, the title character's deceased wife, on the USA Network series Monk (2004-2009). She appeared on the series NCIS as former Petty Officer Erin Toner in the episode "The Curse". In 2005, Hardin portrayed Linda Evans in Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty Pleasure, a fictionalized television movie based on the creation and behind the scenes production of the 1980s primetime soap opera Dynasty. Hardin played Jan Levinson in The Office (2005–2013), a former corporate manager and love interest of Michael Scott.
Hardin appeared in the 2006 film Thank You for Smoking, and appears in Hannah Montana: The Movie as the love interest of Billy Ray Cyrus's character. The film premiered on April 10, 2009. She played the role of Fantine in the Hollywood Bowl's concert of Les Misérables in Summer 2008. Hardin appeared in several episodes of the popular web show Elevator on YouTube.
Hardin made her Broadway debut as Roxie Hart in the revival of Chicago: The Musical on December 29, 2008. She stayed with the show until February 12, 2009. Also in 2009, Hardin was cast as Principal Jane Masterson in the popular comedy film 17 Again. Hardin was cast as a major character in Outlaw, playing a powerful senior partner of an elite law firm, and the main love interest to the series' protagonist, played by Jimmy Smits. Hardin played the role of Isabelle Palmer's mother Nancy in An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the Spotlight.
Hardin sang the U.S. national anthem at the Anaheim Ducks’ season-opening hockey game on October 13, 2010, and for the Phoenix Coyotes three days later.
In September 2021, she was announced as one of the celebrities competing on season 30 of Dancing with the Stars. Her professional dance partner, Artem Chigvintsev, and she made it to the semifinals and ultimately finished in sixth place.
Hardin originated the role of Francine Blake in the 2024 Broadway play McNeal, written by Ayad Akhtar and starring Robert Downey Jr. The show opened on September 30, 2024 and the limited engagement ran for 53 performances.
Personal life Hardin has been married to actor Gildart Jackson since 1997. They have two daughters.
Filmography
Film Year Film Role Notes1978Something Queer is Happening at the LibraryJillShort film1979Carmel1985Papa Was a PreacherJanette1986Iron EagleKatieSoul ManWhitney Dunbar1989Big Man on CampusCathyMonica1990LambadaSandy Thomas1991The RocketeerSouth Seas singer1993Reckless KellyRobin Banks1994Sasha Leon Hoffner1995ChameleonJill Hallman1996Clyde1997Absolute PowerChristy Sullivan1998Erasable YouCalamity1999Seven GirlfriendsLaura2000Certain GuysMary Beth2002Carol2004El PadrinoJane2005Thank You For SmokingInterviewer2007Drive ThruMarcia CarpenterDianeBoxboarders!Ruth KeeneThe ComebacksBarb FieldsGertrude BlochShort film200827 DressesMaureen200917 AgainPrincipal Jane MastersonHannah Montana: The MovieLorelaiYouMirandaAlso director and producer2010KnuckleheadMary2011I Melt with YouJane2012Zombie HamletPamBeauty and the Least: The Misadventures of Ben BanksMary AndrewsTaking the Edge OffShort film2014An American Girl: Isabelle Dances Into the SpotlightNancy PalmerDirect-to-video 2015Self/lessJudy O'Neill 2017AnythingRitaGolden VanityMabel Montgomery-Mayflower 2018Cruel Hearts Grace 2021CagedOfficer Sacks2023ClockDr. Elizabeth Simmons
Television Year Title Role Notes1976Police StorySheilaEpisodes: "The Jar: Parts 1 & 2"1977ThunderCindy PrescottMain role (12 episodes)MeloraTV series1978Courtney Chenault1 episode1979Quincy, M.E.AmandaEpisode: "Never a Child"1980Diff'rent StrokesEmily MorehouseEpisode: "Skin Deep or True Blue"ABC Afterschool SpecialAmy WarnerEpisode: "What Are Friends For?"HaywireBrooke Hayward, age 11TV film1980–1981Secrets of Midland HeightsMicki CarrollRegular role (10 episodes)1981Little House on the PrairieBelinda StevensEpisodes: "The Reincarnation of Nellie: Parts 1 & 2"1982Quincy, M.E.Abigail "Abby" GarvinEpisode: "Next Stop, Nowhere"1983Tess BenjaminTV seriesLittle House: Look Back to YesterdayMichele PiersonTV movieMagnum, P.I.Nancy Perkins GillisEpisode: "Luther Gillis: File #521"1984Mama MaloneKathleenEpisode: "The Education of Frankie"1985Joy VillafrancoRegular role (6 episodes)1986HotelBethEpisode: "Heroes"1988–1989Dirty DancingFrances "Baby" KellermanMain role (11 episodes)1989Tour of DutyChristine PiersonEpisodes: "Sins of the Father", "Sealed with a Kiss"1990Shangri-La PlazaAmyTV film1991Equal JusticeDoris WalshEpisode: "Who Speaks for the Children?"1992Miles from NowhereTeresaTV filmMann & MachineLouise TrotskyEpisode: "Torch Song"Quantum LeapAbigail FullerEpisodes: "For Your Love", "The Last Door"1993Moon Over MiamiEmily BookerEpisode: "My Old Flame"1994Murder, She WroteCindy WarrickEpisode: "Roadkill"Golden GateSusan CarlinoTV filmRenegadeLaura McMillanEpisode: "Carrick O'Quinn"MatlockLisa SwiftEpisode: "The Scandal"Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of SupermanMolly FlynnEpisode: "Operation Blackout"1995FriendsCeliaEpisode: "The One with the Stoned Guy"Touched by an AngelLizbeth ChamberlainEpisode: "The Big Bang"Diagnosis: MurderSavannah BellowsEpisode: "The New Healers"1996RenegadeKelly AndersonEpisode: "Paradise Lost"Caroline in the CityBethEpisode: "Caroline and the Bridesmaids"1997Things That Go BumpChloe GarrettTV filmOrleansGina VitelliEpisodes: "Luther's Temptation", "When the Saints Go Marching In"Tower of TerrorClaire PouletTV film1997–1998LorraineEpisodes: "Tom's First Date", "The Centerfold"1998TimecopEdith ThomasEpisode: "Lost Voyage"Wendy DawsonEpisode: "Homefront"1999PayneDanielle HarrisEpisode: "Gossip Checks In and a Cat Checks Out"Diagnosis: MurderMelanie CooperEpisode: "Trash TV: Part 1"2000–2001Cover MeBarbara ArnoMain role (24 episodes)2001Once and AgainSamantha AldrichEpisode: "Moving On"2002Family GuyPatsy Ramsey (voice)Episode: "Brian Wallows and Peter's Swallows"Judging AmyRosalie LeavittEpisode: "Roses and Truth"2003Cheryl Lynn BrinkmeyerEpisode: "Rush to Judgment"NCISFormer Petty Officer Erin TonerEpisode: "The Curse"2004Summer RossnerTV filmBoston LegalSharon BrantEpisode: "Head Cases"2004–2009MonkTrudy MonkRecurring role (10 episodes)2005CSI: Crime Scene InvestigationSports Book ManagerEpisode: "Big Middle"Dynasty: The Making of a Guilty PleasureLinda EvansTV film2005–2013Jan LevinsonRegular role; 46 episodes2006Without a TracePamela SeaverEpisode: "Rage"Gilmore GirlsCarolyn BatesEpisode: "Partings"Jan Levinson-GouldEpisode: "The Books Don't Balance"2008Mom, Dad and HerEmmaTV filmYo Gabba Gabba!HerselfEpisode: "Birthday"2010OutlawClaire SaxRecurring role (4 episodes)2011CSI: MiamiWendy ColtonEpisode: "G.O."2012–2013Wedding BandRoxie RutherfordMain role (10 episodes)2013ScandalShelley MeyersEpisode: "Say Hello to My Little Friend"2014Killer WomenNan ReedEpisode: "Some Men Need Killing"Do It YourselfKayeTV film2014–2019TransparentTammy CashmanRecurring role (14 episodes)2015Falling SkiesCaptain Katie MarshallEpisodes: "Everybody Has Their Reasons", "Stalag 14th Virginia"2016The Death of Eva Sofia Valdez Courtney MonroeTV film2017The BlacklistIsabella Stone2 episodesWhen We RiseCarole MidgenEpisode: "Night III: Parts IV and V"2017–2021The Bold TypeJacqueline CarlyleMain role2019, 2022A Million Little ThingsPatricia Bloom5 episodes2020 Celebrity Family FeudHerselfEpisode: "The Bold Type vs. RuPaul's Drag Race"2021 Dancing with the Stars Herself Contestant, Season 302022 Love, Classified Emelia Hallmark Channel movie2023Mr. Monk's Last Case: A Monk MovieTrudy MonkTV movie
+ Director Year Title Notes 2009 You 2020 The Bold Type Episode: "Snow Day"
Awards and nominations +YearAwardCategoryNominated workResult1984Young Artist AwardsBest Young Actress in a Drama SeriesThe Family Tree1985Best Young Supporting Actress in a Daytime or Nighttime DramaTwo Marriages1987Exceptional Performance by a Young Actress Starring in a Feature Film – Comedy or Drama Papa Was a Preacher2007Screen Actors Guild AwardsOutstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Comedy SeriesThe Office200820092016Primetime Emmy AwardsOutstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy SeriesTransparent
References
External links